First post (yay).
The other day, I tried to start my 97 LX450 but something strange happened.
The first time, the engine seemed very inconsistent and was having difficulty at 500rpm, it shook a lot and finally, it died. Right afterward, I hear a gurgling sound (like water flowing down a drain).
The second time I tried, the starter did not work but I did hear the gurgling sound again.
I let the car rest a little and tried starting again. The engine again struggled at 500rpm or so, but I gave it some gas to put it up to 1,200, everything was fine after that. No gurgling sound.
I drove it for a few minutes to make sure everything was OK and then stopped and started the car again with no problems.
A few days later, the starter died for good and I had it replaced. Right before it died, the gurgling sound happened again
Can someone tell me what that gurgling sound is? I've looked online and some say it's low coolant. Checking my coolant reservoir, it's approximately two inches above the "low" line... So it's on the low side, but not too low. I'm pretty sure it's been at that spot for at least a few weeks now. However, when I checked it with the engine running last night, it seemed like the tank was empty (?!). It was checked in the dark, so I will need to make a confirmation in the day tomorrow when I don't have class. The temperature gauge doesn't indicate anything strange, but I've heard it's highly inaccurate anyways.
Also, is the gurgling sound indicative of a bigger problem? Or is it something that happens normally when you start but wouldn't be discernible because the engine noise covers it up?
Finally, is the gurgling sound connected to the failed starter or are they two different issues?
I'm about to take a 300 mile trip this weekend, so I want to make sure I won't break down along the way.
Thanks a lot for your help in advance. I just inherited the car from my father and am still learning. And yes, I totally love it.
The other day, I tried to start my 97 LX450 but something strange happened.
The first time, the engine seemed very inconsistent and was having difficulty at 500rpm, it shook a lot and finally, it died. Right afterward, I hear a gurgling sound (like water flowing down a drain).
The second time I tried, the starter did not work but I did hear the gurgling sound again.
I let the car rest a little and tried starting again. The engine again struggled at 500rpm or so, but I gave it some gas to put it up to 1,200, everything was fine after that. No gurgling sound.
I drove it for a few minutes to make sure everything was OK and then stopped and started the car again with no problems.
A few days later, the starter died for good and I had it replaced. Right before it died, the gurgling sound happened again
Can someone tell me what that gurgling sound is? I've looked online and some say it's low coolant. Checking my coolant reservoir, it's approximately two inches above the "low" line... So it's on the low side, but not too low. I'm pretty sure it's been at that spot for at least a few weeks now. However, when I checked it with the engine running last night, it seemed like the tank was empty (?!). It was checked in the dark, so I will need to make a confirmation in the day tomorrow when I don't have class. The temperature gauge doesn't indicate anything strange, but I've heard it's highly inaccurate anyways.
Also, is the gurgling sound indicative of a bigger problem? Or is it something that happens normally when you start but wouldn't be discernible because the engine noise covers it up?
Finally, is the gurgling sound connected to the failed starter or are they two different issues?
I'm about to take a 300 mile trip this weekend, so I want to make sure I won't break down along the way.
Thanks a lot for your help in advance. I just inherited the car from my father and am still learning. And yes, I totally love it.
