I have a babbling brook in my car

Jan 20, 2006 5 Replies

When I accelerate from a stop in my wife's 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, it sounds like a babbling brook under the dash (as opposed to the babbling idiot behind the wheel). It doesn't sound like water sloshing but more like steadily running water. It reminds me of the rain sticks you can find in tourist traps out west.



My only theory is that it's water moving in the heater core and that I wouldn't hear it unless there was a pocket of air for it to move through.



I'd be curious to find out what you folks think, and if I'm correct, how would I purge the air?



thx .... frank



If it has A/C it could also be water trapped in the air box (check the evaporator drain) or a natural noise in the A/C system.

nate

Thanks Nate. During the Summer it does deposit a goodly amount of clean water on the garage floor when she pulls in. I THINK it's draining like it should, but even if not wouldn't it slosh instead of babble? Jeez, now I'm babbling.

I never really thought of the AC. She complained last Summer that it didn't cool like it used to, and I thought it was probably just because she only drives 3 miles to work. Maybe it'd be worth getting it checked.

If you are just hearing it, it may be air bubbles being pumped through your heater core.

Answer is to properly bleed the system.

Sport, it sounds like a babbling brook under the dash (as opposed to the babbling idiot behind the wheel). It doesn't sound like water sloshing but more like steadily running water.

It does it with the heat and air on, but it's such a faint noise I don't think I could hear it with the fan on. I'll check it out next time I'm in it. No noise with the engine off, and I have not had the AC checked.

I'm not sure I know how to properly bleed the system. I have a motorcycle with a bleeder valve in a high spot on the system. I just warm it up, and slowly loosen it 'til coolant comes out, and I'm done. Maybe there's something like that on the Mitsu.

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required