Hey guys, got real problem here, and want to see what your experience has been. A recently built engine of mine is suffering low oil pressure. After not being able to find the cause externally, my builder pulled the engine to tear it down to see what he could find internally. Upon tear down he wasn't happy with the condition of the main bearings and is rechecking everything on the engine. During this tear down he discovered the Wiseco teflon coated pistons he purchased was losing the teflon coating. He pulled pieces of it out of the engine. He purchased them from Summit and they told him 30 day warranty on pistons. The engine was at the machine shop waiting in line for 3 months, so there goes their warranty. He called Wiseco and they were non-commital about resolving the issue or taking responsibility. Thier response was to send them back and when they got time they'd look at them and might or might not fix the problem.

So, my questions are:

1) Has anyone else experienced this issue with Wiseco pistons? Wondering if I got a one of bad set or is this a known problem?

2) My engine builder was told he could soda blast the teflon off the pistons and use them. Has anyone done this? I don't see an issue with it, but wanted to check experiences here.

I'm trying to get the car ready for Carlisle and we were on track until this experience.

Thanks!

I hate it for you, and am a bit surprised wiseco didnt step up a bit more. I had a set for over two years before I got to use them and upon breakin cutting the filter open I found alot of pieces of the skirt coating.

So I had no choice but to rip it down and six of the eight had the coating de laminating. Like you I wasnt happy and called wiseco and was told some that were not cleaned right could of got run through and the coating didnt adhere as it should and he took the serial? # off the top of my pistons, sent me a call tag and I had them back recoated in two weeks. I was also told I could blast it off and run them, but I wanted them coated as planned.

Here is what mine looked like.

Let me see if I can find the email with the reps name on it, maybe hed be of more help.

Hmmm, trouble loading a pic.


EDIT: Sorry I cant give a reps name as I looked in my emails and now I recall it was all over the phone and he sent me a call tag right during that conversation so all I had was the ups print label.

Good Luck.

Thanks EV2bird. Looks like they've been having this problem for awhile.

When i read this stuff I'm glad I chose no coatings! Have seen many engines after tear down and the coating held something to make ya say MMMMMMMM

You could put a red scotchbrite pad on a palm sander and get it off and clean to reuse the pistons.

Worth a shot! Sad, that Wiseco isn't interested in fixing the issue.

Just pulled my lebaron 512 apart. Wiseco pistons. 1200+ runs. Just a couple very minor scratches in skirt coating. Clevite coated rod bearings could almost be put in the original box and sold as new. 2600# car running 5.40s. I won that set of pistons for best losing package in second round at the million $$$ race in Montgomery in 2011. Guess I got my moneys worth. Going to put new rings on them and go for another 1200 runs.

Thats great, however in my case after I gave the serial number? Job number? off paperwork my pistons came with I was told some went through without proper prep,(another words not cleaned of oil and debris) mine only had break in run time.

Ive had noting but perfect results with calico doing coatings and I understand your bearing comment, I tore down every winter for 5 years and back in the coated bearings went. I should of never tossed them but used them in a easy beater build.

Some times companies do make simple mistakes. They even sent me a $300 set of replacement rings and new S locks.