Noises from the Dash

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.

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

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.

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.