Gurgling radiator

Tiny
RSAND72
  • MEMBER
  • 2014 HOLDEN CAPTIVA
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 137,500 MILES
Radiator was almost empty topped up with coolant now their is a gurgling sound when engine is off. Last about a minute. Gurgling no leakage.
Friday, November 10th, 2017 AT 9:30 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
If the coolant was that low there will be a leak. Get a coolant pressure test done to check for external leaks and a head check done as well. This is a simple chemical test to check for exhaust gasses in the cooling system, start here.
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Saturday, November 11th, 2017 AT 3:14 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,452 POSTS
Yep, coolant does not just vanish without either a leak or burning it through the engine. The gurgling you are hearing is air in the system moving around. Most likely reason is a bad head gasket from running the coolant low and overheating the cylinder head.
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Saturday, November 11th, 2017 AT 6:29 AM
Tiny
RSAND72
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If I keep driving it will it damage more and is there any visible way of knowing the head gasket is gone? The oil is clean
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Saturday, November 11th, 2017 AT 8:37 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Using coolant with no visible leakage is a good clue of a bad head gasket. Run your hands around the floor to see if maybe it is a heater core leak, but on a 2014 I would doubt that. Do a cooling system pressure test and the combustion gas test to find out what the issue is.

As for driving it. Yes, it will do more damage and could easily destroy the engine if it is burning coolant, it will also damage the converter.
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Saturday, November 11th, 2017 AT 10:22 AM
Tiny
RSAND72
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  • 4 POSTS
The radiator is still full no oil anywhere. Just checked oil again it is clean not milky. Who does the tests on the engine?
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Saturday, November 11th, 2017 AT 1:57 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,452 POSTS
You can do them yourself, many of the chain parts stores have loan a tool programs and you get the tool and do the test. They basically sell you the tool and when you return it you get your money back. For the combustion test you also pay for the fluid that you use in the test.

It is full now but where did the coolant go before? That is the question.
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Saturday, November 11th, 2017 AT 3:25 PM
Tiny
RSAND72
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  • 4 POSTS
I am booking it into Holden this week. Thank you for all your advice.
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Saturday, November 11th, 2017 AT 3:28 PM

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