Cooling system question

[Fourth Horseman]

Hey all,

When I start my car in the mornings lately I hear what sounds like running water. Sort of like a trickling noise coming from somewhere behind the dash. One of the things that happened to my car when it was laid up in dry dock for six months was that the thermostat got stuck and had to be replaced. This was one of the last things done to my car before I got it back. My question is, do you think the coolant system might not have been completely filled up properly? Maybe I've got some air in the system and that's why I'm hearing noise? When the car warms up I don't hear the noise anymore; say, 3 or 4 minutes after starting it.

Heater function appears normal and engine temp never rises above 50% on the gauge.

Thoughts?

[TripleTransAm]

I used to hear the exact same thing. Now, considering I haven't driven the car in 2 months, I can't remember if either I:


1) got used to it and simply don't notice it anymore

or

2) they filled it up properly after my driver's head was off the engine.


I will have a close listen next time I'm in the car.

I also did not notice anything amiss with my car, except it being the quickest bone stocker out there. ;) :up:
(just kidding, gotta brag about SOMETHING considering the glitches I've experienced with this car! :lol: )

[Dr Caleb]

Usually you only hear a running water sound when there is air in the heater core.

Did they get all the air out of the system? Was there some evaporation of the coolant what your beast was laid up for so long?

[RF Overlord]

Fourth: I tend to agree with ^^^what they said^^^...have you tried bleeding the system?

FWIW, my '94 T-bird used to make that sound now and again, under the same circumstances you describe...I just got used to it as it never seemed to do anything else sinister...

[STLThunder]

Maybe there's a small animal living under the hood and he's gargling in the morning

[Fourth Horseman]

Maybe there's a small animal living under the hood and he's gargling in the morning"

There's nothing small about my car, thank you very much! :lol:

Cool guys, thanks for the responses. My guess was air in the system as well. I'll just live with it until spring or summer and then I'll bleed it properly. If I tried it with the weather the way it is now I'd instantly freeze to the car and be stuck there 'till spring. I like spending time with my car, but... :D

[jgc61sr2002]

I tend to agree with what others have said. There is air in the system.

[STLThunder]

There's nothing small about my car, thank you very much! :lol:

Cool guys, thanks for the responses. My guess was air in the system as well. I'll just live with it until spring or summer and then I'll bleed it properly. If I tried it with the weather the way it is now I'd instantly freeze to the car and be stuck there 'till spring. I like spending time with my car, but... :D


Sorry, Mr. Horseman, I meant a LARGE animal, like a BIG GRIZZLY BEAR, yeah that's the ticket, a BIG GRIZZLY BEAR!! :lol:

[Bigdogjim]

I have heard the same sound from time to time snice the car was new.

I did bleed the system and to no avail?

I just live with it:)