Noises from the Dash

[Aussie Suby]

I recently bought a 1995 Subaru Legacy Wagon/Estate 2.0l. Its an auto
and has done 77000miles. The only thing wrong with it is it makes a
Gurgling sound, the sound of running water, (my wife likes it, she
reckons it is a 'water feature') coming from behind the dashboard. It's
definaltey a water noise from inside the car and it's not the sound of
petrol sloshing around in the fuel tank as you sometimes get in
estates. In my limited knowlege of cars, I think it has something to do
with the heating system, only it makes the noise whether the heater is
on or not even if it is on cold. I replaced the coolant the other day
and it made no difference. Is there anyone out there who might know
what could be causing this annoying problem. Thanks Andrew

 

[Backfire Bob]

I recently bought a 1995 Subaru Legacy Wagon/Estate 2.0l. Its an auto
and has done 77000miles. The only thing wrong with it is it makes a
Gurgling sound, the sound of running water, (my wife likes it, she
reckons it is a 'water feature') coming from behind the dashboard. It's
definaltey a water noise from inside the car and it's not the sound of
petrol sloshing around in the fuel tank as you sometimes get in
estates. In my limited knowlege of cars, I think it has something to do
with the heating system, only it makes the noise whether the heater is
on or not even if it is on cold. I replaced the coolant the other day
and it made no difference. Is there anyone out there who might know
what could be causing this annoying problem. Thanks Andrew

If it's not just low coolant level.......
Congratulations on your BLOWN head gasket(s).
Top off the coolant, watch for bubbles in the overflow tank.
The "Gurgling" sound is gases in the coolant going thru the heater core.
This is NOT a good thing, no matter how much the wife enjoys it.

 

[Aussie Suby]

Thanks for the reply. Are there any other ways of telling if this is
the case. There was no oily film on the coolant in the overflow tank,
the car doesn't blow any steam when warm, there is no visible sludge or
steam in the oil fill up cap and the oil on the dipstick is clear. If
it is the gasket on one side, should both be replaced?
Thanks again

 

[Michael Pardee]

Thanks for the reply. Are there any other ways of telling if this is
the case. There was no oily film on the coolant in the overflow tank,
the car doesn't blow any steam when warm, there is no visible sludge or
steam in the oil fill up cap and the oil on the dipstick is clear. If
it is the gasket on one side, should both be replaced?
Thanks again

Bubbles in the coolant are both a cause and possible symptom of head gasket
trouble. Head gaskets can fail a number of ways, but there's an easy "shade
tree" test for the type that gets combustion gasses in the coolant. With the
engine cold, remove the radiator cap. Start the engine and pinch off the
hose from the radiator to the recovery reservoir. Place the palm of your
hand over the radiator cap opening and feel for pressure over a period of a
few seconds. If you feel steadily rising pressure or (much worse) pulsations
it is very likely the head gasket is leaking combustion gasses into the
coolant. If not, it is very unlikely.

Mike

 

[Ratatooie]

In my limited knowlege of cars, I think it has something to do
with the heating system, only it makes the noise whether the heater is
on or not even if it is on cold.

Do you mean, "only when the fan is blowing"? (The fan that moves air in the
passenger compartment)

Try turning all your environmental controls to "OFF" and listening for the
sound while parked with engine running.

It could be some sort of debris in the air system (again, for the passenger
compartment not the engine) causing the sound. I doubt it's water, but it
could be leaves, animal bones, sticks, metal foil, or anything else that
could have gotten in there.

Try also turning the fan on FULL and see if you can spot the stuff. I have
a leaf or something in mine that occasionally makes noise when the fan is
on.

If it's the engine cooling system, it's a) probably trouble and b) should be
something you can hear while running the engine with the hood up while
standing outside the car.

 

[Aussie Suby]

Thanks very much for your help. The water noise from behind the dash is
heard with the fan set to off (there is no air-conditioning on this
model). There is a leaf or something stuck in there as well and this
can be heard when then fan is turned on, so this is why I am sure it's
a water noise. You can only just hear the noise when reving the car
while stationary but it's at its loudest when accerlerating mildly from
low speeds and can also be heard during deacceleration without the use
of the brakes. I have checked for all the basic signs of head gasket
problems. I think i will have to take it to an expert and pay a fortune
just to have them listen for the noise! Thanks again

 

[Bugalugs]

Thanks very much for your help. The water noise from behind the dash is
heard with the fan set to off (there is no air-conditioning on this
model). There is a leaf or something stuck in there as well and this
can be heard when then fan is turned on, so this is why I am sure it's
a water noise. You can only just hear the noise when reving the car
while stationary but it's at its loudest when accerlerating mildly from
low speeds and can also be heard during deacceleration without the use
of the brakes. I have checked for all the basic signs of head gasket
problems. I think i will have to take it to an expert and pay a fortune
just to have them listen for the noise! Thanks again

Hang on a minute mate.

Have you checked the drainage from the heater system. If you've got a
leaf in there is there more crap blocking the drains. Try putting water
over the windscreen, does it get worse?

Yours is the 2L model whereas it is the 2.5L that is having most of the
H/G problems so I wouldn't be rushing to wave your checkbook at the
machanic too soon.

 

[SHUNJU HU]

The noise you heard is from (may be) the rear, the back windshield wash
fluid resv. James