2010 Sentra piston slap?

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My wife drives a 2010 Sentra 2.0S. It's a nice little car, but when you start it cold, it almost sounds like a diesel. It quiets down after about 5 minutes of driving, and doesn't make that sound until the next cold start. In fact, at idle when it's warm, I almost can't hear it running.

Does that sound like piston slap? Does it mean anything?
 
What kind of oil & filter are you running? Some oil filters can cause start up ticks/knocks.
 
Not using any oil.

Last OC was Chevron Supreme 5w-30, OCOD. Current fill is RP 5w-30 RP, RP filter.
 
Yah It maybe a bad anti drain back valve in the filter. I would try a new oil filter of a different brand.
 
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You can buy an automotive stethoscope for a few dollars and probe different parts of the car with it to determine a cause. There are youtube videos that explain how to use it.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if it was the filter too. Try an oem filter and see if it does the same thing. That noise went away in previous hyundais I had as long as I used oem filters. Weird I know.

Jeff
 
Why would a different filter or different anti drain back valve cause an engine noise that lasts 5 minutes?

A few seconds delay in the hydraulic tappets/lifters is one thing but 5 minutes.

Subarus have been known to suffer piston slap but it has had no obvious ill effect in engines affected.

Injector noise is an interesting theory.

I assume when cold more fuel will be injected in much the same way as a choke on a carb.

That would certainly fit with what the op is hearing.

Perhaps some fuel injector cleaner may help.

I would be inclined not to worry too much if the car otherwise runs well.
 
Coult also be a leak in the exhaust manifold. A Crack or blown gasket. That close when the engine is getting warm.
 
Here's a video of a guy with a 2011 Sentra with the same sound. Skip to about 3:00, that's when you can really start hearing it.
 
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