Bubbling sound from dash

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

JMRINS

JMRINS

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
May 12, 2008
Threads
26
Messages
229
Location
Anderson, SC
My wife heard what she described as a boiling/bubbling noise coming from behind the dash on her 99'. She noticed the temp rose quite a bit but them fell back to normal as soon as the noise stopped. She was idling while it happened. Also, she complained last week about the heat not working for a few minutes even after the engine warmed up. Expansion valve issue??? If so, why would the temp spike? Water pump ( it has 100K on it)? Thanks
 
Last edited:
Have you checked the coolant level? Check it while it is warming up. Look for bubbles of air in the coolant, as a serious bubbling/gurgling sound can be a head gasket leak. Keep in mind that coolant can be pulled into the engine and consumed; you don't see it dripping out anywhere. At the same time the high pressure from compression/combustion gasses leaking into the coolant will overpressurize the cooling system and the valve in the rad cap will release that pressure into the overflow tank.
 
The first post suggested a heat issue, which can signal a head gasket issue. You can always rule out an AC issue by turning it off.

It is important to "...always confirm the customer's complaint..." and so get out in the truck and check things over, then go for a drive. Use an infrared thermometer to watch how things warm up. Turn the rear heat on as well as the front. Let it sit and idle. Do all of this with the AC off and then turn the AC on and do it again. Keep the alternator loaded by having the lights and seat heat, etc. on; and turn those loads off.
 
I'm not a mechanic, but when the vehicle is cool you can open the rad cap, start the vehicle, and let it run for 10 to twenty minutes. Look for bubbles and or test the gas coming out.

as mentioned previously, it could be a gasket leak, this will manifest as gas in the radiator, losing significant coolant on road trips, and a dark polution to the coolant. I run green to detect this, or the system can be tested for leaks and or gases. Combustion gases will enter the cooling system near the head and over pressure the system filling it with gas.
 
Like mint400 said, bleed the system. I had the same issue, flushed coolant, no more bubbling...
 
Little known fact that the '99 is the Cheech and Chong special edition. Behind each dashboard are 2 small dudes smoking a bong.
 
UPDATE:

Well the bubbling noise ended up being just a low coolant level; had a small leak on the top plastic radiator cap. Replaced and it's FIXED! Solved the heater issue too.

On a side note, took it in for the timing belt/ water pump service. Dealer looked it over and all they could find maintenace wise was it needed a new set of brake pads. 200K and still rolling strong...What an awesome vehicle!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom