Boiling sound from radiator
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 30
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From: Ventura County
Boiling sound from radiator I have a 2000 SS with 138K miles. About 2K miles ago I replaced the radiator. Ever since then, Ive been able to hear a boiling sound from the radiator. I hear it after turning the car off. The boiling sound will remain for 1-2 minutes after shutting off the car. No leaks. THe temp reads normal on the dash meter.
Did I put too much water? not enough Coolant?
THoughts? other wise the car runs fine.
TIA!
Did I put too much water? not enough Coolant?
THoughts? other wise the car runs fine.
TIA!
Mine did this too a few weeks ago while in Yosemite. I had changed the radiator over 6 months ago and had no issues. However, I did notice that my radiator cap was not fully closed. As soon as I closed it, it stopped making that sound. The arrow on the cap was pointing to the hose, but I had to turn the cap slightly more.
Last edited by guy7bmwm83; Dec 29, 2011 at 02:01 PM.
Are you sure its coming from the radiator and not the A/C condenser coil mounted on the front of the radiator. (It looks like a smaller radiator). It is normal for you to hear a boiling noise after you shut a vehicle off that has had the a/c on. That sound is actually the refrigerant boiling.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County
Thanks everyone. I checked the fluid level and it was low. Low enough that I couldn't see the level of coolant. I added a pint or so of coolant. I also squeezed al of the hoses to make sure the air was purged. So far no boiling sounds.
I have the original rad cap. It doesn't look to be faulty. I do have 138k miles so maybe it's time for a replacement
I have the original rad cap. It doesn't look to be faulty. I do have 138k miles so maybe it's time for a replacement
Mine did this too a few weeks ago while in Yosemite. I had changed the radiator over 6 months ago and had no issues. However, I did notice that my radiator cap was not fully closed. As soon as I closed it, it stopped making that sound. The arrow on the cap was pointing to the hose, but I had to turn the cap slightly more.
This doesn't seem to happen while operating the car in central Ca, which is nearly sea level.
Last edited by guy7bmwm83; Dec 29, 2011 at 02:03 PM.
This has happened again to me near the coast at an elevatoin of about 2500ft. Coolant spilled out of the recovery tank. The cap is less than two years old and is an Ac/Delco rc94. I am going to install a new cap since I am heading to Yosemite on Saturday and see if it does this again.
I would like to mention again that I do not have this problem at sea level.
I would like to mention again that I do not have this problem at sea level.
Liquids boil at a lower temperature at higher altitudes. Physics. Might have too much water in your mix. Also, do you have all your hoses routed properly? Usually coolant comes out of the recovery tank b/c you have a pair of lines swapped.
I would like to report back on this issue again. I have still not solved this. Since the last time I posted, the radiator was replaced, upper radiator hose, coolant recovery tank, and recovery tank hose. This issue has happened with two different radiators and three different radiator caps. Coolant mixture is 50/50. Boiling over sound has never happened at sea level. I do not have white smoke coming out of the tail pipes either and the coolant recovery hose is on top.
I got the boil over sound Friday night at 9pm (air temp ~ 50F) at 5000ft when I parked at a ranger station. I didn't experience this again until Saturday afternoon at 5pm (air temp ~80F) at 7200ft.
The operating temp has always been normal when I get this boil over sound and have never overheated. The Saturday episode did have the temp gauge a tick warmer than normal, but I was driving 10mph for about 45 minutes on a dirt road uphill.
I also drove the car to Sequoia National Park in May at elevations up to 7500ft and did not have a boil over sound the three days there while driving.
I drove the car at sea level when temps were about 110F for several days and never had issues. I also drove on some foothills around 1600ft when it was 110F and the temps did climb several ticks, but would decrease to normal; I am guessing when the fans would come in.
I have not changed the thermostat in like two years, could this be the problem? Should I be worried about this if it runs fine where I live?
I got the boil over sound Friday night at 9pm (air temp ~ 50F) at 5000ft when I parked at a ranger station. I didn't experience this again until Saturday afternoon at 5pm (air temp ~80F) at 7200ft.
The operating temp has always been normal when I get this boil over sound and have never overheated. The Saturday episode did have the temp gauge a tick warmer than normal, but I was driving 10mph for about 45 minutes on a dirt road uphill.
I also drove the car to Sequoia National Park in May at elevations up to 7500ft and did not have a boil over sound the three days there while driving.
I drove the car at sea level when temps were about 110F for several days and never had issues. I also drove on some foothills around 1600ft when it was 110F and the temps did climb several ticks, but would decrease to normal; I am guessing when the fans would come in.
I have not changed the thermostat in like two years, could this be the problem? Should I be worried about this if it runs fine where I live?
Last edited by guy7bmwm83; Jul 15, 2013 at 01:01 AM.
