Sound of sloshing water coming from behind dashboard

[Olds_Dude]

Hey guys,

I have a 1999 Olds Intrigue (3.8) with 137,000 miles.

When I start my car on chilly or cold mornings, I hear the sound of sloshing water coming from behind my dashboard. The sound becomes particularly noticeable when I start driving the car and make sharp turns. And I hear this sound regardless of whether it rained or not the night before. However, the sound goes away completely as the car starts to warm up (after about 10 to 15 minutes). This phenomenon has has occurred for the past three years I have owned the car. During warm days (i.e., later spring and the summer), I do not hear this sound when I start the car.

I had the A/C drain plug checked this past September, and it was not clogged. I have never found water inside the passenger compartment, either.
Anyway, if the A/C drain plug was clogged, why would the sound of sloshing water go away after 10-15 minutes?

Any ideas as to what I am hearing? Could it be coolant? (I don't smell coolant when I use the heater, and the heater itself works fine).

Thanks, dudes.

Jason

[MrCritical]

Sounds like heater core is partially clogged?

Ah, the wonders of dex-cool!

[jknudson98]

You're low on coolant. I had the same problem on my '04 Grand Prix. Just add premixed compatible coolent to the coolent tank and it'll go away.

[Ronald McChevy]

oh man, i thought Old Dood was back for a minute.

[Triple-X08]

yeah i agree with you guys, i would have to go with low on coolant as well, same problem as the new impalas have with the heater core not having enough coolant in them on start up. there is a bulletin for the impalas, i know its different and all, but i think it will have the same impact on your vehicle as well.

i would fill up your cooling system and flush it out, then make sure its all bled out properly, it may have a air pocket in it. should take care of it.

[fenderbender]

My S-10 makes that noise when I rev it with the A/C on.

Any ideas?

[Triple-X08]

in an S 10 you probably have a plugged heater core. need to get it fixed asap or else its going to plug up so bad that it will need replaced.

not sure if its the same deal as what hes dealing with, but sounds like a heater core to me. anyone else have any ideas?

[sonjaab]

No way its plugged............My NEW truck did it !
Its either low on coolant or the cooling system has a air bubble in it
and needs to be "burped"!
Problem solved !

[jfnz24]

My blazer makes that noise, usually when cold too. Had it to the garage a couple of times for it, but nothing was ever found, as they said it wouldn't do it for them.

[Olds_Dude]

Well, thanks for the advice so far.

I am going to check the coolant level and try to "burp" the system this Monday afternoon. Then I'll check to see if I hear the sloshing sound on Tuesday morning.

I had the system flushed and a new radiator, water pump, and belt tensioner installed in November '07 (the system, including the radiator, had chunks of black gunk in it...the water pump was leaking and the bearing in the belt tensioner was bad). The thing is, I heard the sloshing sound before and after I had the system flushed and all the work done. But, I will try "burping."

Again, thanks.

[rocketboxer]

Hey guys,

I have a 1999 Olds Intrigue (3.8) with 137,000 miles.

When I start my car on chilly or cold mornings, I hear the sound of sloshing water coming from behind my dashboard. The sound becomes particularly noticeable when I start driving the car and make sharp turns. And I hear this sound regardless of whether it rained or not the night before. However, the sound goes away completely as the car starts to warm up (after about 10 to 15 minutes). This phenomenon has has occurred for the past three years I have owned the car. During warm days (i.e., later spring and the summer), I do not hear this sound when I start the car.

I had the A/C drain plug checked this past September, and it was not clogged. I have never found water inside the passenger compartment, either.
Anyway, if the A/C drain plug was clogged, why would the sound of sloshing water go away after 10-15 minutes?

Any ideas as to what I am hearing? Could it be coolant? (I don't smell coolant when I use the heater, and the heater itself works fine).

Thanks, dudes.

Jason

If you hear the sloshing on the drivers side of the dash, it is not the lack of coolent. If you have a sloshing in the dash board, it is 1 of 3 things. Your heater core is leaking (passenger side sloshing, low coolant). You should be able to smell the radiator fluid and have wet carpet. You might have a wind shield leak. Again wet floor. Most likley it is the a/c drain line clogged. You said you checked the drain line, but you must go a little further. Look at the passenger side fire wall where the drain line is. On the bottom right is the drain line with a 5 inch plastic, slightly angled tube. Pull this out of the rubber connection. Check that is is clear with a tube cleaner. Now pull off the rubber piece that is attatched to the fire wall, water should flow. This is where the clog is most common. Clean with tube cleaner. For best results, have truck on a slight angle forward.