radiator gurgling on short drive

[dmeucci]

'95 Legacy 2.2 manual wagon 225K miles

 

Hello all-

 

I recently as of yesterday change the Coolant Temp Sensor from a PO115 CEL.

 

Today while driving 6 miles into town downhill when I came to a stop light I noticed the dash engine temp wash all the way up to hot. I then parked and opened the hood. I hear the coolant gurgling. It is still clean, the coolant and no sign of engine oil in it. I had the radiator check and flushed 10k miles ago. On my way back home uphill I turned on the heater fan and it blows hot air. But this time no high temp reading.

 

One other time a couple of weeks ago this happened and I noticed some radiator fluid coming out the bottom front passenger side. Also the coolant return on the passenger side was pulsating, that is the big hose.

 

Anyway not CEL today and it the high temp is intermitent.

 

Thanks for your ideas!

[Suzam]

Sounds like you may have air in the system. Either from when you changed the CTS or maybe a minor leak in a hose that allows air back in when cooling down.

 

You mentioned a leak on the passenger side, was it at the firewall or the radiator?

 

Try a proper burping of the coolant system first to see if that cures it.

[dmeucci]

leak was at front near radiator. Maybe a pressure release? I'll look up the proper burping of the system. Wow and I thought I was done with that with my kid!

[dmeucci]

Update-

 

I changed the Coolant Temp Sensor and read the different opinions on burping. Also wanted to check if the thermostat is stuck open or closed. I ran the motor and both upper and lower hoses were warm, the upper warmer. Heater blows hot too. Then a CEL came on saying PO325, and PO115. The 325 is engine knock sensor. I took that off and there is a little hair line crack. So will replace that. But the 115 doesn't make sense as I just replaced.

 

So will change the knock sensor and then do the burping....but PO115? I hope goes away after the other work.

[ivans imports]

Headgasket most likly cause

[rxleone]

Have a look at the front side of your radiator, right where the top hose comes out. There may be a hairline crack down there that air may be seeping in creating the gurgling sound when you stop. You'll also see bubbles in the radiator.

 

This just happened to me today, for the second time, so check that before you dig in too much. The fact that its leaking right where that crack would be would point me to that.