QuestionQUESTION: I just bought a used 2001 Chrysler 300. I have had the water pump, radiator and thermostat replaced. After 2 months I am hearing a gurgling when I start up, which goes away after driving. The temperature gauge was just below the half way mark, now when I am in traffic or going slow it will creep up to the half way mark, Now I am getting water in the passenger floor board.
Don't know if all this is related.
Thanks,
Sandy
ANSWER: Hi Sandy,
Get a little of the fluid that is on the passenger floor board and smell to see whether it smells like the cooling system fluid (anti-freeze odor, also anti freeze color). Are you also noticing a loss of coolant from the filler bottle in the engine compartment? If so, then it likely means that there is a leak in the heater core inside the Heating/ventilating/ac housing that is centered under the dash. Unfortunately the removal of that core is a big job because the housing has to be removed to get at it and that involves removing a good deal of the dash. It sounds like the leak is slow enough that by means of a radiator/cooling system sealing compound added to system that the leak can be stopped. One such product is called "Bar's Leak" and I believe it would be worth trying that out to see if the leak can be sealed. That would stop the bubbling sound and the issue with rising tempertures in the system. Follow the directions exactly. On the otherhand the fluid on the floor could be rain leaking in around the windshield but that seems less likely from what you describe. So verify the other clues I listed.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Went out and checked fluid in floor board and does not smell, look or taste like cooling system fluid. No loss of coolant from the filler bottle.
Think I will use the 'bars leak' anyway just in case.
What else could it be?
Sandy
AnswerHi Sandy,
No other liquid source in the cabin that I can think of other than rain water. That can also get in if the drain holes associated with the air intake, outside in front of the windshield, are blocked by leaves/debris. There is a 'cowl screen panel' which you can remove to get to the far passenger end of the air intake to check that out. Remove the wiper arms and 9 screws that hold the screen in place. The air intake manifold drains via holes at the far end of the passenger side. But if you hear gurgling that is most likely a sound generated in the cabin. Keep watching the coolant fluid level because it surely has the characteristic of such a radiator core leak. The Bar's Leak is a good product.
Roland
PS Thanks for the rating and nomination.
