BenzBro

When starting my car up or even when driving, there is a sound of running water from the center of my dash. I'm guessing it has something to do with the coolent system, but i don't know what it means when i'm able to hear it. Anyone have any ideas?

Bigpete123

yeah, man. I know exactly what sound you're talking about. I thought it had something to do with the A/C, cuz I noticed that when I turn the fan up to full blast, the sound changes/goes away. But if anybody knows what that is, I could also use some help on this one! It's kindof a gurgling sound...

Nick_M_51988

heater core, isnt it?

does it come on with the heater or a/c?

Brian Felts

Look for a clogged drain, BMW's have this problem when the A/C is on.


Brian Felts

neanderthal

its a common issue. its just how the climate control system is designed.

you can buy and fit a "anti gurgle kit" from the dealer. not worth it IMO for only the sound of running water. especially for something that was designed to operate that way.

Bigpete123

For me, it typically happens when I turn the car on, regardless of whether the A/C or Heater are on... But it goes away sometimes when I turn on the heater and/or A/C...

Nevermind, I just saw Neanderthal's post. my bad, thanks man.

oliverb

The sound you are hearing is the result of air trapped in the cooling system. Sometimes will be worse after a cooling system flush and refill if all the air has not been removed. As stated above, a very common problem. After much customer complaining, years ago mercedes developed an "anti-gurgle" kit. When I priced the kit a couple of years ago at a dealership it was something around $800!!! Mine will do it occasionally, sometimes months between occurrences. It has been suggested that you may be able to purge the air by parking the car on a slight incline, then venting any trapped air by loosening the bolt on top of the thermostat housing. Before doing this, be certain to have operated the car with the climate control temp. wheel set to the warmest position. Be cautious, if the car is up to normal operating temp., the coolant will be hot and pressurized! Often the sound is heard only while the coolant is below full operating temp. If mine does it, I turn the climate control knob all the way up to the warmest position for several seconds, then back to my comfort zone setting.
OliverB

crr1612

where is said thermostat housing and whats it look like? thanks

mhorn

thermostat housing is at the front of the engine. you will see several large coolant pipes attached to it. It looks kind of like two hemispheres joined together with a wire attached at the top. I believe it sits on top of the water pump. You may have clogged coolant drains. Your A/C evaporater collects condensation when you run the ac on humind days. This condensation is designed to collect in a pan and flow through a drain that empties out under the bottom of the car. Sometimes these drains get gunked up and clogged. If you start noticing water in your vents or your floor carpet is wet, then the condensation is not draining properly. If you jack the car up and look at the undercarriage you will see two drains, one on each side of the transmission. You can take a straightend coat hanger and try and unclog them .