I'm not an expert on the subject but I'll tell you what I've heard and
experienced. Has something to do with improper piston/cylinder
tolerances on the 2.5lt 5 cylinder. I know it's a problem in the '93,
not sure about later years. It sounds like a slight dieseling when cold
and disappears within a few minutes. VW was repairing them which usually
means new pistons and possibly a new block. My MV has 97,000 miles and
just started piston slapping. It usually appears sooner (maybe all of
those 3-4000 mile oil changes delayed it). I believe the original poster
has a '97 which has the VR6. He/she doesn't have to worry.
                                Rod in west Texas
'93 EV MV
'91 Jetta Carat
'78 Beetle vert
'56 Beetle

> ----------
> From:         alfajohn@PACBELL.NET[SMTP:alfajohn@PACBELL.NET]
> Sent:         Thursday, December 04, 1997 2:28 PM
> To:   Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU
> Subject:      [Fwd: Piston slap]
>
> <<Message: Piston slap>>
> A number of these have been sent direct to me.  Could the reply be
> re-posted on the list?  Sorry, I lost my copy of the reply.
> Thanks
> John Franklin
> San Rafael, CA
>