Gurgling Sound, Gurgling Sound coming from under my hood. Options

[5150EVH]

I recently noticed that when I come to a stop, I hear a gurgling sound coming from behind my firewall. I only hear this sound hear and there. I noticed too that when I turn my heat on the sound goes away....however, I smell a whiff of antifreeze when I first turn on the heat. I have been in the automotive business for 4 years (manager at Autozone and with CarQuest) and know that usually when there is overheating or this type of symptom and you turn your heater on and the problem goes away...its usually the thermostat. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem or if anyone could please give me some advice. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

[Mangozac]

As in the engine or cabin side of the firewall? Sounds very much like a coolant leak to me. I assume you've checked that your coolant level is ok?

[jt_3212]

i kind of have a gurgling sound too but mine almost sounds like it has to do with the suspension, cause it happens when i sometimes hit small pot holes and sometimes when i push the clutch in. So i dont know if that is kind of like yours or not but if you have any idea what mine is that would be cool.haha

[alltracman78]

I recently noticed that when I come to a stop, I hear a gurgling sound coming from behind my firewall. I only hear this sound hear and there. I noticed too that when I turn my heat on the sound goes away....however, I smell a whiff of antifreeze when I first turn on the heat. I have been in the automotive business for 4 years (manager at Autozone and with CarQuest) and know that usually when there is overheating or this type of symptom and you turn your heater on and the problem goes away...its usually the thermostat. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem or if anyone could please give me some advice. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

Does the sound come from under your dash?
If so most likely you have air in your coolant system.
Normally that means a leak, especially if you're smelling coolant when you turn the heat on.

How is the carpet up under the dash?
Wet at all?

You might have a very minor leak right now that's mostly blocked by corrosion.
How well do you maintain your cooling system?
Have you had it regularly flushed?
Do you use good coolant and distilled water [no tap/well water]?

If you get it flushed now you might break open the leak [if that's what it is].

If your brave you can tear your dash out and take a look at the heater core. Lots of work though.

[robdrummer]

this is weird, i started noticing that in my black celica a few months ago. The coolant is fine and i see no other problems. the only possibility is that the rain catch from the windshild is blocked there fore there is rain water stuck in the firewall?

thats my guess

[5150EVH]

My problem usually starts after a few minutes of driving...if I turn on my heater, the sound goes away. I turned my heat off and drove for about 4-5 minutes and the sound was back and I smelt antifreeze as soon as I stopped. I popped my hood and antifreeze was coming out of my overflow tank. The carpet in my car is fine...I replaced my heater core last January (2007) and the floor has been dry since. The gurgling sound though does sound like its behind the dash in the middle which sounds like the heater core but when I pop the hood, the sound is right there near the front of the engine.

[Random_Stranger]

My problem usually starts after a few minutes of driving...if I turn on my heater, the sound goes away. I turned my heat off and drove for about 4-5 minutes and the sound was back and I smelt antifreeze as soon as I stopped. I popped my hood and antifreeze was coming out of my overflow tank. The carpet in my car is fine...I replaced my heater core last January (2007) and the floor has been dry since. The gurgling sound though does sound like its behind the dash in the middle which sounds like the heater core but when I pop the hood, the sound is right there near the front of the engine.

Dude I have the same problem! How crazy. I keep smelling coolant, but no visible leaks or spills.

[GriffGirl]

There's probably no visible leaks or spills because the coolant is dripping onto a hot surface and burning off before you can get to it. I've had this happen to me countless times... eventually the hose just bursts at some terribly inopportune time, no doubt on a really hot day, and there you are trying to coast to the nearest parts supply store.

Drive it around till it's warmed up and then drive it home, quickly pop the hood and... listen. You will likely hear the drip-drip-sizzle of a small leak. Check your upper and lower radiator hose (since the sound is coming from the front of the engine bay) but also check those smaller hoses by the firewall. It's leaking from somewhere... you just have to listen and sniff around for it. Maybe even watch and listen under the hood while the car is running. (although it's easier when the warm engine has just been shut off.)

[Jeunesse]

This happened to my Dodge Neon before I had the 6GC, and to my surprise it was the A/C freon. It was low and needs a flush. Check that out... that might be it.

[cochise]

I recently noticed that when I come to a stop, I hear a gurgling sound coming from behind my firewall. I only hear this sound hear and there. I noticed too that when I turn my heat on the sound goes away....however, I smell a whiff of antifreeze when I first turn on the heat. I have been in the automotive business for 4 years (manager at Autozone and with CarQuest) and know that usually when there is overheating or this type of symptom and you turn your heater on and the problem goes away...its usually the thermostat. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem or if anyone could please give me some advice. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

e same or
If you work at autozone you should have access to a coolant pressure guage. I replaces the radiator cap. Install it and run car till it warms up. then shut it off and see if the pressure stays the same or if it starts to drop. If it drops you have a leak.

[Random_Stranger]

This happened to my Dodge Neon before I had the 6GC, and to my surprise it was the A/C freon. It was low and needs a flush. Check that out... that might be it.

That actually sounds more like it might be my problem. Thanks, I'll look into that.