Gurgle Behind Dash???

[Tommy2000]

I have the oddest gurgle/(or chatter?) sound behind the passenger side vent area of my dash. It is driving me up a wall, b/c as far as I can tell is not related to temperature, fan speed, heat or cool temp, A/C on or off. I notice that it starts around 30 MPH, and continues on, but does not get stronger at higher speeds. Did a search in the archives and could not find any topics for this. Any help appreciated!

 

[FMNavajo]

This does sound strange. The only thing I can think it might be is the heater core. It's mounted just behind the glove box and the two hoses that come throught the firewall are connected to it. It could have something blocking the passage and causing the fluid to be restricted which could make a gurgling sound as it passes. It's very easy to remove; you disconnect the hoses in the engine compartement and go in the cab on the passenger side and remove the cover and slide the core out. LAY PLASTIC DOWN BECAUSE FLUID WILL COME OUT ON THE FLOOR! The you should be able to run some water through there and clean it out. This check won't cost anything except some time.

By your ID I'm going to guess it's a 2000 model??, if so, have you asked the dealer what it might be?

Hope this helps,
FM

 

[Tommy2000]

Oops! It is a 93 Sport 4x4, sorry.

 

[raven2]

I believe I have the same problem, I described my problem as a swishing sound, I thought I might have air in the heater core, which is causing fluid to swish around. One theroy was a bad radiator cap which is not allowing pressure to build and push out the air, that did not work. So I still have that swish that comes and goes, most often at start up, and if I hit the gas it gets a little stronger. Sometimes it stays, and sometimes it goes away, for an hour, week, even a month!

I did have a post titled "air in heater core?", but did not get a solution. If you find anything please let me know.

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91 Sport
"Drive it like ya stold it"

 

[Ira]

I would check the anti-freeze level on the coolant reservoir with the engine COLD. Get a good look at it or even draw a line on it and then check it about a week or so later. See if your coolant level has dropped. If so, chances are that you have a leaking head gasket. It can let exhaust leak out of the cylinder and into the water passages. If so, the heater core is a good place for it to gather up and make this noise.

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Ira
91 XLT 4x4

How can you tell when you've run out of invisible ink?

 

[Tommy2000]

You may have something there- I didn't even make the connection, but, yes, I do go through coolant. I just figured that it was the Head Gasket, but I had totally forgotten about it since the gurgle problem got my attention.

Dumb question: How bad is it that my Head Gasket is leaking, and should it take precedence over other repairs?

Thanks

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93 Sport 4X4, 150k Mi, Tinted Windows, Sony and Boston Acoustics Audio

 

[Tommy2000]

O.K., so my truck is @ the shop right now, and they are telling me that there is no Head Gasket leak, which is good, but confusing. So, why am I leaking coolant, and what is this damn gurgle?

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93 Sport 4X4, 150k Mi, Tinted Windows, Sony and Boston Acoustics Audio