Bubbling noise from radiator to reservoir

[sparkplug]

Hi Guys,

Been a while since I've been on here but I figured, who better for a free quote... LOL

I am getting quite a loud bubbling noise coming from the radiator once the car is turned off. While it is running I cannot hear anything but once the car is turned off and left for 30 seconds the noise starts up. I have had a quick look under the bonnet and if you squeeze the small hose between the radiator and the reservoir it stops. I could not see a kink in the line when I had a look though.

Could there be a small hole in the hose which may cause this, or would this be a more serious issue? It doesn't sound like there is anything seriously wrong so I haven't rushed to fix it, the coolant is being pumped around while running with no over-heating, so I'm beat. Hopefully this has happened to somebody before and it was just the hose, that way a cheapo fix.. :)

Regards,
Steve.

[HsV_GTS_300]

mate had this happen in our old VT, it sounds like the water is boiling after you have turned the car off? the problem in ours was there was air in the system. Take the ecotec cover off and where the hose goes into the thermostat there is a small air valve there while the cars running open this valve slightly and you should hear the air coming out. close it once coolant starts coming out. worked for us anyway

Hope that helps anyway

[Peter B - CV8]

Sounds like you need a new pressure cap to me.

[sparkplug]

mate had this happen in our old VT, it sounds like the water is boiling after you have turned the car off? the problem in ours was there was air in the system. Take the ecotec cover off and where the hose goes into the thermostat there is a small air valve there while the cars running open this valve slightly and you should hear the air coming out. close it once coolant starts coming out. worked for us anyway

Hope that helps anyway

It does kinda sound like it is boiling.. I'll give that a go. The coolant aint gonna come squirting out at me?? LOL don't feel like losing an eye or something.


Sounds like you need a new pressure cap to me.

Could the cap be letting air in? It really does sound like there are clear bubble sounds. Either way both easy fixes. Thanks for your input guys.

[VX2VESS]

another thing to check is the 2 small pipes on the top corner on the radiator. i heard in a few cases they become blocked and cause that problem.

[justin_d]

I had a VS shagin' wagon ecotech and that always had overheating problems. Had the exact same problem you have where it sounds like the water is boiling. I took out the thermostat, replaced the pipes, flushed the system 3 times, replaced the radiator, water pump and overflow tank (this is what happens when it's a family car and your Mum puts tap water in instead of de-min). The bastard still overheats and still boils after turning it off. I think the head gasket might be shot. I'd reccommend you give the radiator a damn good clean, possibly look at replacing the water pump (from my understanding they tend to go in the ecotechs) or finding a cooler thermostat. This would be after talking to a good mechanic who knows what they're talking about. That's my 2 cents. :)

[iamhappy46]

Bleed the coolant as per above.

Then go to Holden and fit the Holden Water pump pellets if the problem persists ;)

[VX2VESS]

oops ignore my comment thats for V8's............

[sparkplug]

I have the radiator flush stuff awaiting me at home which I bought hoping it would help. I guess I'll be running the flush and a couple runs of water and bleed that valve near the thermostat, replace the cap and see how we go.. At least it's not too hot to have the heater running atm.

I hope I can avoid spending the extra cash at Holden.. :)

And no, this is not run as a mother's family car, there's coolant in there LOL. I can relate to that though. My mother was wondering why there was rust in her radiator when she fills it with just the old H2O.

[kpop]

this happended to me, turns out my water pump was broke

$520 later...:bawl:

[sparkplug]

this happended to me, turns out my water pump was broke

$520 later...:bawl:

Yeah, that's what I am hoping it is not.. :(

[justin_d]

Yeah. Well there was definitely rust in there when we got the head gaskets fixed a first time. Since then, I've systematically changed bits and pieces over but nothing has seemed to work (new water pump, thermostat and radiator but eventually decided to remove the thermostat). That's why I think the head g's may be shot. I'd get a mechanic to pressure test the system before you go forking out for a new water pump!

[VZMY06SS]

I just found out today that my cars radiator leak is not due to the radiator its self or the adjoining hoses leaking. I got a mechanic to pressure test it and it went from a starting pressure of 25psi down to 5psi in around 30-50sec's. I'm praying it's not a head gasket. I've been getting the same bubbling noise that you get after you turn the car off mate. Interested to know what is causing yours. My mechanic said it's just because it's low on water.I'm going to clean the engine down tomorrow and see if I can find a leak somewhere. Where could water be coming from if it's not coming from the radiator/hoses? Welsh plugs?
Sorry for the hijack mate.
Steve

[sparkplug]

I just found out today that my cars radiator leak is not due to the radiator its self or the adjoining hoses leaking. I got a mechanic to pressure test it and it went from a starting pressure of 25psi down to 5psi in around 30-50sec's. I'm praying it's not a head gasket. I've been getting the same bubbling noise that you get after you turn the car off mate. Interested to know what is causing yours. My mechanic said it's just because it's low on water.I'm going to clean the engine down tomorrow and see if I can find a leak somewhere. Where could water be coming from if it's not coming from the radiator/hoses? Welsh plugs?
Sorry for the hijack mate.
Steve

I think I dodged the bullet with mine. I emptied it, flushed and refilled. Then bled the coolant with that valve(just a screw) near the pipe entering the top of the engine and popped the cap reved away topping it up while it was getting sucked in (didn't wanna under-fill), filled the reservoir, capped it again and bled it again.... Let it run with the heater for a bit and turned it off. The excess came back out through the over flow. Haven't heard it since. I am hoping it has not got a small leak somewhere else which will pop up again in a week or so.

If it starts up again I will buy a new preassure cap and then go to the mechanic with my tail between my legs.. LOL

[TIR33D]

A good trick when bleeding these is to use a empty coke bottle with the bottom cut off to raise the height at the cap. This provides positive pressure so it will bleed easier.

[the big fist]

Mate I just had the EXACT same problem in my VZ GTO. There is a thread in the technical section. Replaced cap thought it was ok, but started again. I bet it is a crack in your radiator end tank. The coolant leaks out so you only have half a radiator of coolant. Look at the end tanks, near the thermo fan mounting tabs.

Cheers,

Peter

[sparkplug]

Mate I just had the EXACT same problem in my VZ GTO. There is a thread in the technical section. Replaced cap thought it was ok, but started again. I bet it is a crack in your radiator end tank. The coolant leaks out so you only have half a radiator of coolant. Look at the end tanks, near the thermo fan mounting tabs.

Cheers,

Peter

Haha.. Yeah mine went away for a few days!! Back again, so I guess I will be off to the mechanic and get him to fix up the radiator.