Rushing water behind the gearbox?

West · 19 May 2007 at 02:17

Just need a little help really, I have a feeling that this is something to do with the aircon?

But everytime I start the car I can hear a rushing water from the rear of the dash, I have a feeling its something to do with the A/C unit? possibly a re-gas needed? i've checked on a couple of owners forums but they were just a tad vague...

THink I trip to the dealership is in order..

timbob · 19 May 2007 at 09:00

Does the gushing sound increase as you blip the throttle? If so, I'd say it's almost certainly a bit of air in the cooling system and it just needs rebleeding. I had to do that on my 106 last year.

SaBBz · 19 May 2007 at 09:24

What do you mean behind the gearbox? Can you be a bit more specific? Is it a dash mounted gearbox in the MINI?

dalin80 · 19 May 2007 at 12:20

a dash mounted gearbox??? what?

usually a rushing sound is the coolant going through the heater matrix and coolant pipes behind the dash, this can be caused by a bit of air in it or poor quality antifreeze if by mixing different types of AF.

the air con shouldn't make any rushing noise at all.

SaBBz · 19 May 2007 at 12:26

dalin80 said:
a dash mounted gearbox??? what?

Like the Civic.

touch · 19 May 2007 at 12:28

dalin80 said:
a dash mounted gearbox??? what?

I guess he means the type where the gearstick is on halfway the dash?
(like some civics)

edit: im too slow

timbob · 19 May 2007 at 12:29

SaBBz said:
Like the Civic.

That's a gearstick...

But anyways, bleeding the cooling system out will get rid of the sloshing noise.

Dave L · 21 May 2007 at 08:03

To the OP - what car is it?

Rushing/gurgling water from the dash area usually indicates a low coolant level and air rushing around the heater matrix, which is usually the highest and most remote point in the cooling system.

That's why when you loose your coolant or the level drops significantly, the heater is the first thing to stop working.

Rich1988 · 21 May 2007 at 10:33

Dave L said:
To the OP - what car is it?

I would hazard a guess at a "2005 mini one" by looking at his sig

Diesel · 21 May 2007 at 10:56

Rich1988 said:
I would hazard a guess at a "2005 mini one" by looking at his sig

And the fact he mentions it an every other post!

Dave L · 21 May 2007 at 11:16

Rich1988 said:
I would hazard a guess at a "2005 mini one" by looking at his sig

I see no sig! :eek:

Dave L · 21 May 2007 at 11:17

Diesel said:
And the fact he mentions it an every other post!

Please elaborate!

Serj · 21 May 2007 at 11:48

Dave L said:
Please elaborate!

What's there to elaborate? A large majority of his posts contain references to his Mini.

Dave L · 21 May 2007 at 11:53

Serj said:
What's there to elaborate? A large majority of his posts contain references to his Mini.

Not on this thread they don't!

Oh well never mind, only trying to help.

Avalon · 21 May 2007 at 14:56

If it's the same as the Renault I regularly do battle with air bubbles in the coolant would be my first bet, take the coolant cap off when the engine is cold and check the level, run the car for 15 mins with the cap off and see if the level has dropped/bubbles come through and top up as required.

[TW]Fox · 21 May 2007 at 14:58

Avalon said:
If it's the same as the Renault I regularly do battle with air bubbles in the coolant would be my first bet, take the coolant cap off when the engine is cold and check the level, run the car for 15 mins with the cap off and see if the level has dropped/bubbles come through and top up as required.

It's under warranty, so I'd make it the dealers problem.

timbob · 21 May 2007 at 17:02

[TW]Fox said:
It's under warranty, so I'd make it the dealers problem.

I'd not go running to the dealer straight away. A lot of cars have "self bleeding" systems, whereby you run the engine with the cap off the radiator, and all the air bubbles to the top. If that solves the issue, then it would be a waste of time getting the car to the dealer.

If however it doesn't work, there's lots of air in the system and it needs draining and refilling, and the OP can't be bothered, then I'd take it to the dealer.