Strange noise HELP PLEASE!!

[TeeJay3800]

Within the last few weeks I've noticed a sound that sounds like water gurgling through pipes from under the hood. It only does it at low idle. When I rev it a little my exhuast covers the sound so I don't know if it is still there or not. Any ideas what would be causing a gurgling sound at idle???

[Dylan]

Wierd!! I noticed this a few months ago as well! I have a Corsica with the 2.8 and when i take off from a stop under normal acceleration, or lighty rev it, water gurgles sounding like its coming from the dash or something like that,but when i rev pretty high, or get on the gas from a stop, its not there. Do you live a cold environment?

[geoffinbc]

Check your coolant level. Something is going on with the cooling system

[TeeJay3800]

Something is going on with the cooling system

I know that much!

Its most likely air in the system that needs to be bled.

[Lyle's GTP]

TeeJay, ain't no pimp! I'm more of a male madam!

Lyle

[TeeJay3800]

TeeJay, ain't no pimp! I'm more of a male madam!

LOL, say what? I got the air in the system info from some guys on the W-body forum.

[gpse3400]

If the engine runs hot and the reservoir is filled with coolant and sludge then I'd be checking the head gasket....Water sounds from the dash is an indication....

[Corpse]

Well,

I don't know exactly what you are looking for, as for an answer. But, if the system is gurgling, there is air in the system.

The system may just need to be bled but, it could be other things aswell. As was mentioned, it could be a bad head gasket or a bad hose, causing a loss of coolant. It could also be something simple, like an under-rated radiator cap (or leaking gasket).

No matter what though, you are getting air in the system if you hear it gurgle.

-Dave

[TeeJay3800]

Well it looks like there's air in my coolant system, which means there's a leak somewhere. The question is, where is the air getting in. I just went out and looked at everything I could see (hoses, clamps, head gasket), but there were no visible leaks I could find (at least not at night with a flashlight). It would be nice if it is as simple as the radiator cap, but where else should I look specifically?

Also, I know I have a leaking steering rack, could this also be cause the strange gurgling sound at idle?

[geoffinbc]

Look in the oil

[TeeJay3800]

Look in the oil

Well I sure hope its not the head gasket. I don't see any white smoke so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[Corpse]

There are only a couple of places coolant can go. If it was going into the overflow reservoir and going onto the ground due to a bad cap, you would see it under the car, if a hose or connection was leaking, you would see it under the car.

If your heater core is leaking, your floor will be wet or it will go outside the firewall under the car. So, all leaks will be spottable-under the car.

The two other places it can go are into the exhaust (Head Gasket or Intake gakset leak), which is noticeable by odor, visibility of water in exhaust and under the tailpipe. Loss of coolant and a recently "moist" exhaust is a questionable situation.

The only other place it can go is into the oil. An extremely small coolant to oil leak may be hard to notice on the dipstick, if even possible. But, if the coolant is noticeably leaking it will leave a residue on the dipstick when the engine sits for a period of time to cool. Contaminated oil leads to catastrophic engine failure, engines use "Oil Bearings" per say or, oil based bearings. (Water does not lubricate enough)-Fix immediately.

" leaking steering rack" - Yes, you could just be hearing the air in the Power Steering system. Drive slowly and turn the wheel side to side in big swings, listen for sounds that occur as the steering wheel is turned, that is the bleed of your power steering system.

Wheras, the cooling system's gurgle of something like the heater core is ususally RPM dependant and temperature dependant. IE: It may only happen when the car is hot and when you apply partial throttle.

-Dave

[TeeJay3800]

Thanks for the excellent explanation, Dave!

I have yet to really check all the hoses or under the car well. I haven't noticed my floor wet so I doubt its the heater core. Last weekend while the car had been idling (fully warm) for about 5 minutes, I noticed some water dripping out the exhaust tip which my dad said was only condensation in the exhuast. I've never noticed it before; only that one time. Is that a sign of something bad?

I really hope nothing is getting into the oil. I looked at the front head gasket and intake manifold gasket areas as best I could. Only found a little bit of moisture.....nothing that really grabbed my attention (at my last oil change, the Firestone mechanic told me I have bad head and intake manifold gaskets, but who knows).

I am familiar with the charateristic hiss of the P/S system and this "gurgling" sound is much different. I only hear it at idle and only when the engine has reached normal operating temp.

Soon I will inspect everything better and hope I find a small leak from a hose clamp or something MINOR like that!

[geoffinbc]

I think the Firestone mechanic might be on to something. You should drain your oil and see.