The sound of fluid boiling/bubbling

Post by **Walt** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:21 am

Hey everybody!

For the last few days I've noticed that after I turn my truck off, I hear the sound of liquid boiling or bubbling. I know better than to take the radiator cap off to check it,

so I'm just assuming it's coming from the radiator.

I'm fairly sure that this isn't normal, but I keep my levels checked and my engine temp guage seems to work, but rarely get's over 210 or so unless I let it idle for a long time. BTW, I have the stock T-stat.

Peace!

Pauleo · Post by **Pauleo** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:52 pm

I don't know much about these things but I had this happen to a vehicle of mine before and it was a rad hose collapsing. Have you checked them to see if they are soft?

Post by **HenryJ** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:59 pm

How's your dex?

You may have air trapped in the heater core? I have heard tales of those who heard gurgling, and noises to be followed by the core plugging, engine over heating, heater quit working, water pump failure, etc.

Might be time to flush and refill?

I KNOW you're not still using the stock radiator cap, RIGHT?

Post by **Walt** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:23 pm

HenryJ wrote:I KNOW you're not still using the stock radiator cap, RIGHT?

I'll bet this is something that I'm supposed to know but for some odd reason don't

Enlighten me about the radiator cap please

Post by **HenryJ** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:34 pm

It needs to be changed last year!

The stock cap has more than a few problems, and leads to the early demise of the dex.

The cap has a fiberous gasket. This alone does not promote a good seal. The inside diameter of said gasket is nearly the same as the outside diameter of the radiators raised sealing surface. When the gasket shrinks a little and slides off center air can enter the system and as it cools the fluid is not recovered from the expansion tank.
Now to the valve design. It is not spring loaded. This too contributes the the entrance of air in the system.

Check out this thread- Radiator Cap

adrenalnjunky · Post by **adrenalnjunky** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 4:19 pm

One other - if it's more of a sizzling sound - my AC condenser drips water on my exhaust or something when parked and hot.

Post by **Walt** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 6:30 pm

It sounds just like boiling water on a stovetop. So I need to get a new radiator cap.... How much will the dealership charge for a coolant flush? Or is it hard to do by oneself?

Post by **HenryJ** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 6:46 pm

radiator flushing at 37k?

HenryJ wrote:...The overflow/expansion tank did have some "muddy like" sediment in the lowest portion. This is why you must pull the tank and clean it.
I can only surmise that it may have been as result of the presence of residual dexcool in the system.

I drained the radiator then, after running the engine and flushing until the system ran clear, this time I pulled block water jacket plug. This is behind and below the left side freeze plug. Where the stock freeze plug heater is located. I found that an 18" 3/8" drive extension, universal, 14mm socket and rachet worked the easiest. I inserted it between the frame and torsion bar from behind the front suspension. It came out pretty easily, and did drain almost another gallon. Be sure to use some thread sealant before reinstalling.

I added a bottle of Redline Water Wetter, a gallon of green and a gallon of distilled water. Then filled the expansion tank with about three quarts of 50/50 mix.

adrenalnjunky · Post by **adrenalnjunky** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 6:08 am

Yeah - do the flush yourself - it's worth the couple of hours just to have the Preston kit installed - that way it's a much quicker job down the road.