Water sloshing in the dashboard

[Pontiacnutz]

Hello all,
This is my first posting on the site and it is kind of a strange one to start my experience. We have a stock 2004 GT1 with the 3.8 that my son drives. It was my old company car so I have had it since it was new. Present miles are approximately 90K. Especially under moderate or above accelleration (or turning), there is a sloshing or wet suction sound in the central part of the dashboard. There is no coolant smell or evidence of a leak on the driveway or in the interior. Do you think this is a heater core problem or something else? While not a mechanic, I have been around cars and never heard this problem before. He says that the heater does not work all that well but based on what I have seen, it is blowing warm air. Any thoughts???

[WhiteDevil]

could be a water leak from the cowl into the heater box itself....

there are a few threads on here about water leaks on the floorboards and in the dash.

Id check the heater box, basically take out the glove box itself to get access under the dashboard, have someone rock the car a bit and the water should move for you to pinpoint it.

Im sure the glove box comes out, just dont know how. Ive had this issue on the s-10s and s-15's ive owned in the past. hope it helps


Welcome to GPF

[UR LOSN]

^^^^^^ thats what I was thinking as well!

[Sabrewings]

Your coolant is low. You need to check the level at the radiator (with the car cool). Don't rely on the overflow bottle since it doesn't tell you how full the system is. Open the radiator cap, and the coolant should be all the way to the top, about to overflow. If not, make it so.

Then you should take it for a drive, then bleed it.

[Abrasive]

Your coolant is low. You need to check the level at the radiator (with the car cool). Don't rely on the overflow bottle since it doesn't tell you how full the system is. Open the radiator cap, and the coolant should be all the way to the top, about to overflow. If not, make it so.

Then you should take it for a drive, then bleed it.

My thoughts exactly having experienced this first hand with another car I once had.

[Pontiacnutz]

Thanks to all who have replied. The car is out right now so it will be later in the day before I can check things. I will look at the coolant level first - easy fix, hopefully. It makes sense as well given the sounds that it makes. I will post later today or tomorrow with what I find. Thanks again !!

[Sabrewings]

It would also explain any lack of performance from the heater.