Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) It Gurggles When First Started

[Dave Remillard]

Gurggles... Not even sure thats a word, but what it is suppose to mean is that when I first start the engine I hear this G sound. I believe it is the cooling system. Do I have air trapped or something like that? Any ideas on what it is.

 

[nfox]

Gurggling Sound

I used to have the same sound on my 96 , but i had some air trapped in the cooling system, i just kept topping off the radiator it was a slow process but it did the trick and no more sounds on start up. Oo.

 

[Kirwin]

Things to check

Is it full of coolant? Does the plastic overflow tank level go up when the truck is warm and then drop when the truck cools off? If not you have an air leak somewhere. Look closely at all the 5/8" elbows in the heater plumbing and Auto transmission cooler supply and return lines. They somtimes leak just enough for air to get in but you don't see much coolant come out as the truck heats up quickly but cools off much more slowly. Since the heater core is at the top of the system the air will normally collect there and when you start the truck you hear the water pump forcing the water through the heater core back to the top of the radiator. Hope this helps. Ken Irwin

 

[Dave Remillard]

Thanks... makes sense that is where it is coming from.

 

[Bandit1]

i had that same sound, course mine was from low coolant being pumped back to the heater core. low coolant was from a leaky headgasket.

 

[RBratby]

did you have the block heater pluged in?

 

[Dave Remillard]

did you have the block heater pluged in?

Sure did. Wondering why you ask. I've used the block heater since day one if the temps drop below 35 or so and haven't noticed this sound until recently? Ya got my curiousity going now.

 

[tp0d]

Mine does that when I park downhill. Any air in the system will usually rise to the heater core. Doesnt take much to make that sound. I would say if it does it all the time, I would worry about airlock, etc, but mine only does it for about 10sec when I first fire er up, then goes away. Very normal I think.



good luck



-j

 

[RBratby]

the reason i ask if you had the block heater pluged in is because my truck does the same thing. it sounds like water running behind the glove box. my truck will not make any noise unless it is pluged in. i dont know why it does it but from what i hear and have been told its normal.

 

[Dave Remillard]

the reason i ask if you had the block heater pluged in is because my truck does the same thing. it sounds like water running behind the glove box. my truck will not make any noise unless it is pluged in. i dont know why it does it but from what i hear and have been told its normal.

I'll start it up later when it's cold and not been plugged in to see if it makes a difference in mine. I haven't driven it much lately (last August) and don't recall if it did it when not plugged in.

 

[propuller]

My dads 97 did this the other day when it was started in the garage that was at 65 degrees. We just recently changed the antifreeze,is it possible that there is still air in the system?If so how can i get the air out?I also noticed the overflow tank is down just a little from where it was when i filled it.



Kurt