Water trickling sound in dashboard
- Thread starter christion
- Start date
christion
New member
I mean normal for the sonic. My aveo didn't do that and I've never heard a that in a vehicle before. It seems like a harmful design trait to me. Having what I assume is coolant running through the cabin area seems like a disaster waiting to happen.
christion
New member
I hear it too.. Is it the rush of coolant in the heater core as the waterpump spins up with RPM's?
So far I've not lost any coolant or had any issues with it, besides the sounds of a bubbling brook..
That's exactly what I was thinking. That seems like the only thing it could be to me. I just don't understand why they did that. Surely they could hear it when they designed and tested the vehicle. Bubbling brook, yeah that's what I was thinking of but didn't have the right word to describe the sound!
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Stew
Sedans Rule!
That's how every car that's water cooled gets heat into the cabin area. I hear it now and again in mine, this is the first car I've ever owned where I could hear the coolant rushing around in the heater core.
ChrisJ
Active member
Yup,
Pretty much any water cooled car that has heat has used this design since the 1930s-40s. Only reason I can think of being able to hear it is due to air in the system and if this is the case that would be BAD.
I like dexcool as a coolant but one thing it hates is air in the system. I don't recall ever hearing this in either of my Sonics though I do hear the expansion valve\ txv for the air conditioning hissing especially when I first turn the A\C on but this is 100% normal.
EDIT : Actually I recall situations where forcing liquid through too small of a pipe or passage too fast can cause noise as well. For example when you run water in your house you most likely can hear it. Perhaps this is all that is taking place in the heater core or the piping to it in the Sonic. There is a chance I simply have not noticed it. After thinking about it I find it hard to believe air could be trapped in the Sonic's system for long as it has what I believe to be an auto bleeder system which you can see if you look at the overflow tank. You'll notice a small hose going to the top which continuously trickles coolant out the entire time the engine is running. I think this is to allow any air in the system to travel out via this line.
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turbotimmy
New member
This has been discussed on a few other threads. I think its a design flaw. If you were to open the hood and look at the back of the engine bay you would notice where the piping for the heater core passes through the firewall. The piping then makes a sharp 90 degree turn downward which is not good for coolant flow or the fact that is the highest point in the coolant system. You can take it to the dealer and they might be able to purge the air however it does not always work. I'm currently looking into installing a air bleeder from that point.
Just my $.02
Just my $.02
SuperFudd
Member
If it sounds like a bubbling (Burbeling?) brook, there must be air, in my not so humble opinion. No, there should not be air so, "Why is there air?"
How is it getting in and why does it stay? If it continues to build up it will compromise your heater function and even your engine cooling, IMNSHO.
Yes, air and some coolants make coolant sludge.
I had a car that I would jack the front end up of so the radiator cap would be the highest point, remove cap and run the engine until the thermostat opened to pump out the air.
How is it getting in and why does it stay? If it continues to build up it will compromise your heater function and even your engine cooling, IMNSHO.
Yes, air and some coolants make coolant sludge.
I had a car that I would jack the front end up of so the radiator cap would be the highest point, remove cap and run the engine until the thermostat opened to pump out the air.
Chevrolet Customer Care
New member
Hello Christion
Please keep me posted on this sound you are hearing and let me know if you need my assistance. The quickest way to reach me is by private message.
Jackie
Chevrolet Customer Care
joe truck driver
New member
glad i found this, i thought i was nuts. well... ok, jury still out but... i've had the noise for about 5000 miles now and coolant is not low.
SONIC1.4
New member
I have 1.4 turbo manual and also hear this. Only some days. Maybe a couple times a month. Or I only notice it that much. I remember about two months after I bought my sonic I heard the sound for the first time, jumped out of my car and to the ground I went and looked under my car for leaking hahahah!
christion
New member
Ok guys I contacted the dealer and I fixed it! You wouldn't believe this, but if your coolant is even slightly below the fill line, it can make that noise. I topped off the coolant and then some more a fraction above the fill line. Now I haven't heard the noise since then. The dealer said to make sure that my coolant is topped off and that the air should work itself out. If you look to the right of the reservoir, you'll see a pressure relief plastic "pipe" with a drain off that's built into the reservoir. Topping off the coolant worked for me, so hopefully you guys can post here and inform us of your luck with topping off!
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christion
New member
Hi. I need to talk to you about some rim scratches on my new car that the dealer shrugged off as fine. As soon as I got the brand new 13' sonic, I went on vacation for 2 weeks with another car, and then was on 12 hour shifts for the air force for a little while, so I didn't have time to do a thorough inspection. When washing the car, I noticed some strong adhesive that wasn't removed and a couple of scratches on the front passenger side rim. The scratches aren't "ran into a curb or something" scratches, they're fine, thin, razor like scratches. It looked like someone cut into it at the factory or at the dealer, or the dealer that this dealer traded with. I didn't notice them until I washed the rim because they're so thin, but still long, mind you, so you have to be up close and personal to notice them at first. I talked to the salesman today and he said that it could have been the other dealer, one of my dealer's drivers, or me, but he failed to resolve the issue. I can assure that it was not me! I haven't put anything sharp near those rims. I would be devastated and I've used the car for only two weeks since I've owned it. Whoever scratched those rims, knew they did it. There's no way you wouldn't know that you did that. What is GM's policy on this? Am I basically screwed? Will I have to replace a rim that was sold in that condition on a new car? I already had to replace the lower front grille because the dealer installed a front license plate holder, so I hope I won't be responsible for this nonsense too. This is the ONLY thing I found wrong with the car. I would greatly appreciate your assistance.
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TurboGrayLZ
New member
I'm at 24k mine does it also. And has been alittle low several times. Guess I need some more dexcool. Thanks for the tip.
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