water bubbling sound inside when idling?

[stek2008]

hi folks,

having a problem my local Chrysler savvy garage are struggling to replicate so hoping for some tips here.

My PT (UK edition) 2001, 117k, has recently been making a strange 'gargling like' sound when idling. It's pretty quiet, have to turn off the stereo to hear it but is becoming more frequent. I've tried pulling over and popping the hood whne it happens but there's no trace of the sound from the outside, only when inside the car.

It seems to be coming from somewhere on the drivers side.

Performance wise not had any problems - although perhaps the heater doesn't get as hot as it used to, I may be imagining this though.

Then yesterday I was stuck in a queue of traffic and the engine temperature shot up - higher than it's ever gone in this car - to nearly 3/4 on the scale. As soon as I could move though it cooled right down.
Whilst it was at it's hottest there was a really loud noise like water boiling in a kettle.

Been in for a service today - the oil is clean, and (typically) the car refused to make this noise while with the mechanic. But did do it as I stopped at some lights on the way home.

Have done the usual - checked for any signs of a head gasket problem (as did the mechanic today), couldn't find any. Fans seem to be working fine, coolant level is where it should be on hot (haven't yet checked cold).

Anybody got any tips on what I should be checking?

Thanks

steve

[BLUEH20]

Should we assume that the coolant level is proper?

[CREWZIN]

Agree with BlueH20. Sounds like some of the anti-freeze was replaced with air which allows the coolant to boil and that's what your hearing. That will also stop your heater from working .....found that out when my Vette would only blow cool air on a freezing night during a Christmas parade. Bleeding the air out cured it right up.

[quicksilverdon]

Welcome.
117K? Have you had timing belt and water pump replaced? I think it's time.
Your water pump could be "tired".

[stek2008]

Thanks for this - will try bleeding it out and see if it helps. Will head to Chrysler later today and see if they have any of the 'special' Mopar coolant in stock.

Anything I should know about the process if I chose to drain the coolant and refill? Or is that a nightmare to do?

Thanks,

Steve

Originally Posted by CREWZIN

Agree with BlueH20. Sounds like some of the anti-freeze was replaced with air which allows the coolant to boil and that's what your hearing. That will also stop your heater from working .....found that out when my Vette would only blow cool air on a freezing night during a Christmas parade. Bleeding the air out cured it right up.

[stek2008]

The timing belt was replaced as I bought it (already quite high mileage @ 105k) - the car has been well looked after and does have a full Chrysler service history up until 90k.

Haven't changed the water pump - is this advisable to try myself? or better to leave to a garage?

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

Welcome.
117K? Have you had timing belt and water pump replaced? I think it's time.
Your water pump could be "tired".

[quicksilverdon]

The water pump is usually replaced at the same time as the timing belt, as the labor far outweighs the cost of a water pump and it's driven by the timing belt.
I suspect then that you have air trapped from when they did replace the water pump.
Air can't remove heat as well as water (coolant) - try bleeding the system.

[stek2008]

Okay, thanks for all the advice so far. Took it back to my mechanic in the end today as he'd also found out the location of the bleed for the coolant. We did that, tiny amount of air came out before water and the bubbling seemed to stop. Great... until i drove the car around 20 miles.

The heating suddenly went really cold (particularly when idle, but still significantly colder than normal when moving). Shortly after I lost almost all acceleration (accept when using it's 'kick down' feature to pick up some speed).

I drove it back carefully to the garage who checked it out right away suspecting a head gasket problem... but there was after stopping the engine for 10 mins to allow it to cool no sign of the acceleration problem.

The heating was getting warm - but not as warm as it should.

No sign of water in the oil or vice versa, the hoses were still soft (apparently usually firm up with head gasket failures), no smoke from the exhaust... basically nothing to back up a head gasket problem.

Also no failure codes on the PCM / engine management lights on.

They tested it as far as they could then suggested driving it carefully and seeing how it runs - which is actually fine, it's moving absolutely normally now. BUT the heating is still very very cold.

A friend suggested that in another car he'd suspect the radiator matrix/core - but he has no experience with Chryslers....

Anyone got any tips? 3 mechanics now have looked at it and found no clues...

Thanks again,

Steve

PS - water pump was changed at 90k service according to service history.

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

The water pump is usually replaced at the same time as the timing belt, as the labor far outweighs the cost of a water pump and it's driven by the timing belt.
I suspect then that you have air trapped from when they did replace the water pump.
Air can't remove heat as well as water (coolant) - try bleeding the system.

[CREWZIN]

Steve,

There's two lines going into the firewall (see pic below). They run the hot water into the heater core. When the PT is running and the guage is half way, turn the heater on and feel those hoses (be careful). If one is hot (water trying to get IN) and one is cold (water out of heater core), then EITHER the heater core is clogged or the heater control valve is stuck closed.



P.S. if both hoses are cold, water isn't circulating.

[quicksilverdon]

Heating as in the engine temp gauge or warmth in the car?
If it's the engine temp, then thermostat, if it's heat in the car, then as Crewzin suggests, and be sure temp dial is on full red and bleed again.