Water sloshing sound in vent 97 Camry

[mikdashim]

Hi all,

For a long time now I've occasionally heard water sloshing around when I make a turn, usually the first few turns I make on the morning drive. Mechanic hasn't actually heard it, and doesn't know what it can be.
Now, it's every morning.

Never seems to evaporate. Maybe a/c condensation collecting?
Wiper fluid has a leak, but always has. Don't think it would suddenly start pooling in the a/c.

any ideas?

97 Camry, 4 cylinder

thanks

[redtigerrocks]

Is it behind your dash or in your HVAV ducts itself? It sounds like your water pump might of lost a bearing. See if your losing any coolant !

[ajkalian]

Originally Posted by mikdashim

Hi all,

For a long time now I've occasionally heard water sloshing around when I make a turn, usually the first few turns I make on the morning drive. Mechanic hasn't actually heard it, and doesn't know what it can be.
Now, it's every morning.

Never seems to evaporate. Maybe a/c condensation collecting?
Wiper fluid has a leak, but always has. Don't think it would suddenly start pooling in the a/c.

any ideas?

97 Camry, 4 cylinder

thanks

Something similar happened to me. If it's a gurgling sound then try this. Check the coolant level in the overflow tank after the car warms up. I'm betting that it is pretty close to empty. If it is, you probably have air in the system.

After the engine cools off over night, add water/coolant to the tank, and fill it over the "Full" mark. Then drive around till thing get to normal operating temp and check the coolant level. You might be surprised how low it is. If it's not completely empty, add some more coolant. Do this till the coolant level remains between the Full and Empty marks.

You can also just shove a hose in the filler cap, turn it on, start the motor and let it warm up. When the bubbles stop, then you've "burped" the coolant system.

Check the coolant level and see that it doesn't drop, if you have to keep filling it up, that means a leak somewhere. If there is no coolant on the ground, it could be serious. Maybe a blown head gasket.....

[73sport]

You check the A/C drain vent behind the right front tire? When the AC is on, does it pool water below the car? It should, especially on humid days.

If not, i'd bet the drain is plugged and holding water in the system heating and cooling system. Sometimes simply squezzing the drain cap (below the car) will free up the clog.

[BamZipPow]

Check yer drains in the doors and fenders to make sure they aren't clogged with leaves/organic debris. If the drain holes are clogged up...yer body panels will retain water quite nicely...and start rusting from the inside out.

[camry6]

Low engine coolant. You will also notice heating temperature fluctuations from the vents when the coolant gets low enough. After a long hard drive, listen carefully after you shut the engine off......can you hear a bubbling noise from the engine area for a short time?.......BLOWN HEAD GASKET.......D'oh! But may just be a coolant leak somewhere else. Check the level.

[islandboy57]

Originally Posted by ajkalian

Check the coolant level and see that it doesn't drop, if you have to keep filling it up, that means a leak somewhere. If there is no coolant on the ground, it could be serious. Maybe a blown head gasket.....

+1

Air in the system or something more serious. Definitely check the coolant level and keep a careful eye on it.

[97ToyCar]

This is definitely air in the system, usually shows up in the heater core first. Get some coolant in that engine pronto, and pressure test to find the leak. The 5S-FE does NOT tolerate overheating, and if you do, you risk blowing the head gasket.

You absolutely have a leak somewhere...at worst, the HG is partially blown, and the engine is consuming the coolant (if the oil doesn't look like a milkshake, then it is being pushed out the exhaust. Check for a sweet smell from the exhaust immediately after starting) Do a pressure test with the system cold, as any leaks will surely show up. The hoses won't be able to expand with heat and seal the leak, thus revealing the source.

Your engine has a total of 7 hoses. That means there are 14 possible leak points, not counting other externals.

Upper Hose (1)
Lower Hose (thermostat end) (1)
Heater Inlet and Outlet Hoses (2)
IAC/TB Coolant Supply & Return Hoses (2)
Water Pipe Bypass (1)

If one hose is leaking, then replace them all, as they are most likely the same ages. Summer time is critical for our little 2.2, and the cooling and oiling systems on the 5S-FE are marginal at best. There is no room for error. Also, the spring type clamps are known to weaken and lose their clamping ability as they age, replace them all with new ones of the appropriate size, or better yet, use good quality worm-drive clamps instead.

Remember, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!