Need Help With Radiator noise....

**clg82** · 09-24-2008, 05:16 PM

Well today after driving the TA for about a half an hour I come home and I hear a weird gurggling sound coming from under the hood so i open it and it sounds like it is coming from under the lid where the radiator is located. I have never heard this before is this normal or is something going bad? Below is my mod's but i don't think that would have anything to do with it...thanks for the help in advance~Chris

**0rion** · 09-24-2008, 09:45 PM

have you checked the level on it and are your temps running ok? How long since you've did a flush and fill on it?

**sunsetorangess** · 09-25-2008, 03:31 AM

Replace the Rad cap....
J

**clg82** · 09-25-2008, 04:36 AM

Originally Posted by 0rion

have you checked the level on it and are your temps running ok? How long since you've did a flush and fill on it?

My temps are running good. And I am not sure about the last time I did a flush on it maybe a couple of years ago?.?.? And the levels were good when I opened the cap after it cooled off I could see the coolant right under the cap and the cap did feel solid.............any other suggestions?

**Spaz** · 09-25-2008, 05:59 AM

sounds like low fluid level... i'd drain the radiator and put new coolant in it... maybe some one put just water in there before???

**clg82** · 09-25-2008, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by Spaz

sounds like low fluid level... i'd drain the radiator and put new coolant in it... maybe some one put just water in there before???

I don't think that is the case, and how can I tell if it is low or not. The coolant was to the top of the cap when i opened it yesterday.........and when i had it flushed last it was at jiffy lube so I don't think they put water in it but who knows.....anyone know where i can get a write up on how to flush our radiators? and how do you tell if it is low or not with coolant to the top of the cap?

**0rion** · 09-25-2008, 06:17 AM

I think sunset is on the right track here. I'd replace that cap...they're cheap. After seeing his response I thought "damn, I should've thought of that."

**clg82** · 09-25-2008, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by 0rion

I think sunset is on the right track here. I'd replace that cap...they're cheap. After seeing his response I thought "damn, I should've thought of that."

So you don't think that it is low fluid? because the cap does seem pretty snug.

**0rion** · 09-25-2008, 07:59 AM

have you checked the level in the overflow tank? that's where you should be checking the level at.....right by the battery. There's a cold and hot mark on it if memory serves me correctly.

**clg82** · 09-25-2008, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by 0rion

have you checked the level in the overflow tank? that's where you should be checking the level at.....right by the battery. There's a cold and hot mark on it if memory serves me correctly.

And if it isn't in the normal range then what?

**0rion** · 09-25-2008, 08:10 AM

fill it with a 50/50 mix of coolant and water until it is. I always check mine hot.

**clg82** · 09-25-2008, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by 0rion

fill it with a 50/50 mix of coolant and water until it is. I always check mine hot.

Why would that cause the gurggling then? and what if it is at normal range?

**Mike's TA** · 09-25-2008, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by clg82

Why would that cause the gurggling then? and what if it is at normal range?

It would cause gurggling because your radiator system is trying to pull fluid that is not there. Think of when you drink through a straw. That last little bit in your cup will make a gurggling sound. Or it could just be your fluid going back into the resevoir and gurggling at the top of the radiator where the hose connects.

If its in it's normal range, try changing the cap like previously said. Couldn't hurt anything.

**clg82** · 09-25-2008, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by Mike's TA

It would cause gurggling because your radiator system is trying to pull fluid that is not there. Think of when you drink through a straw. That last little bit in your cup will make a gurggling sound. Or it could just be your fluid going back into the resevoir and gurggling at the top of the radiator where the hose connects.

If its in it's normal range, try changing the cap like previously said. Couldn't hurt anything.

Very true, so i will look at the over flow and if it is low i will fill it to normal.. Is there any certain coolant that i need to buy or will just regualar autozone 50/50 work..?

**Mike's TA** · 09-25-2008, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by clg82

Very true, so i will look at the over flow and if it is low i will fill it to normal.. Is there any certain coolant that i need to buy or will just regualar autozone 50/50 work..?

See what you have in there first. If it is orange you will need to buy a coolant that has dexcool. If it's yellow/green, then go with preston, without dexcool.

More than likely it will already have a coolant with dexcool in it though.

**clg82** · 09-25-2008, 12:26 PM

Is the overflow the dipstick behind the battery?

**Orcus79** · 09-25-2008, 02:25 PM

yeap, that would be it.

**clg82** · 09-25-2008, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Orcus79

yeap, that would be it.

awesome thanks, i think i just may flush it out all together does anyone know where I might be able to find a good write up on doing this?

**Y2KPewterSS** · 09-25-2008, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by clg82

awesome thanks, i think i just may flush it out all together does anyone know where I might be able to find a good write up on doing this?

Owners manual

**Mike's TA** · 09-26-2008, 10:17 AM

Pretty simple really.

Go to auto parts store / pep boys / autozone / advance, whatever. Buy a bottle of radiator flush and follow the directions on the bottle.

Prestone's flush requires you to drain it. Then fill with water and the bottle of cleaner. Driver for like 200 miles (maybe more, maybe less, don't remember)(could have been a time thing also really don't remember) and then drain that and fill with 50/50 fluid/water mix.