Gurgling from Engine After Shutdown (2018)

[aggiegrad05]

Recently after shutdown I will get a significant sloshing/gurgling noise from the engine bay. I can hear it in the cab as it is LOUD. It's not constant (like water running) but almost seems like it's pulsing through ... something. It sounds like something is pumping liquid through for a couple of seconds, then it will stop, then it will pump through again. I have no leaks, no drips, no signs of any moisture exiting the engine anywhere.

It sounds like the same noise @Shutterbug57 was referencing in this post:

Intermittent Noise Under Dash

I have a 2019 Limited Max 4x4. On a recent trip (02 Jan 21) from Alabama to Ohio, I noted an unusual noise under the dash on the drivers side. It sounds like liquid running through a pipe. It would act up for a minute or two, then be quiet for a while, then repeat. Over the course of an 8 hour...

www.expeditionforum.com

but there were no solutions or ideas offered.

It has been getting warmer around here, but I've had this vehicle through 4 Texas summers since purchasing it and have never heard it before...so it's clearly new.

Any ideas from the hive mind before I take it to the dealer and they tell me they can't replicate it and I leave after wasting 3 days?

(before you ask: no, I don't have a video but I will try to get one next time)

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Recently after shutdown I will get a significant sloshing/gurgling noise from the engine bay. I can hear it in the cab as it is LOUD. It's not constant (like water running) but almost seems like it's pulsing through ... something. It sounds like something is pumping liquid through for a couple of seconds, then it will stop, then it will pump through again. I have no leaks, no drips, no signs of any moisture exiting the engine anywhere.

It sounds like the same noise @Shutterbug57 was referencing in this post:

Intermittent Noise Under Dash

I have a 2019 Limited Max 4x4. On a recent trip (02 Jan 21) from Alabama to Ohio, I noted an unusual noise under the dash on the drivers side. It sounds like liquid running through a pipe. It would act up for a minute or two, then be quiet for a while, then repeat. Over the course of an 8 hour...

www.expeditionforum.com

but there were no solutions or ideas offered.

It has been getting warmer around here, but I've had this vehicle through 4 Texas summers since purchasing it and have never heard it before...so it's clearly new.

Any ideas from the hive mind before I take it to the dealer and they tell me they can't replicate it and I leave after wasting 3 days?

(before you ask: no, I don't have a video but I will try to get one next time)

Your description sounds as if there is air in your cooling system. Have you checked the coolant level? It is possible to have coolant in the reservoir, but still have air in the system - due to a small hole or loose clamp for the reservoir hose (which permits air to be pulled into the system when the engine cools down).

Undetected small coolant leaks are common with the 3.5 engine, and often do not leak onto the ground. Perhaps check the pump (engine off.....) from underneath, to look for any signs of weepage?

When mine leaked, it only leaked with the engine running and would evaporate / dry when the engine was hot and running.

 

[Soliyou]

Yeah, it sounds like an air pocket trapped in the heater core. When the pressure from the pump stops, coolant moves around and sloshes.

If you had the coolant replaced recently, then most probably they didn’t bleed the system correctly. The service manual calls for using a special vacuum pump for bleeding the cooling system.

 

[aggiegrad05]

Your description sounds as if there is air in your cooling system. Have you checked the coolant level? It is possible to have coolant in the reservoir, but still have air in the system - due to a small hole or loose clamp for the reservoir hose (which permits air to be pulled into the system when the engine cools down).

Undetected small coolant leaks are common with the 3.5 engine, and often do not leak onto the ground. Perhaps check the pump (engine off.....) from underneath, to look for any signs of weepage?

When mine leaked, it only leaked with the engine running and would evaporate / dry when the engine was hot and running.

I am low on coolant, and after I got to the office this morning and popped the hood I could smell the telltale "burning coolant" smell even though there are no signs of moisture anywhere.

I called my service advisor and it's headed in this afternoon. They will have to keep it until next week but they have a loaner waiting for me.

 

[TX-EXPMAX]

just curious...how many miles are you at now? something i'm gonna watch out for

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

just curious...how many miles are you at now? something i'm gonna watch out for

When the water pump begins to leak on the 3.5 engine, they often leak slowly and only weep when the engine is running and warmed-up.

Keep and eye on your coolants reservoir level and if it drops, start checking.

When cold, you can put a piece of blue painter’s tape on the outside of the coolant jug to indicate exactly where the top of the coolant level is - and it makes it easy to quickly check when the engine is cold.

 

[aggiegrad05]

just curious...how many miles are you at now? something i'm gonna watch out for

55k miles.

When the water pump begins to leak on the 3.5 engine, they often leak slowly and only weep when the engine is running and warmed-up.

Keep and eye on your coolants reservoir level and if it drops, start checking.

When cold, you can put a piece of blue painter’s tape on the outside of the coolant jug to indicate exactly where the top of the coolant level is - and it makes it easy to quickly check when the engine is cold.

I mentioned the water pump to my service advisor and he said he actually hadn't seen that particular point of failure. But he did acknowledge that the 3.5s are prone to very slow leaks but you can only find them when the system is pressured up (as you said).

They will pressure it up and check it out. He said I should expect to hear back from them on Monday. Meanwhile, I get to "enjoy" an EcoSport.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

55k miles.


I mentioned the water pump to my service advisor and he said he actually hadn't seen that particular point of failure. But he did acknowledge that the 3.5s are prone to very slow leaks but you can only find them when the system is pressured up (as you said).

They will pressure it up and check it out. He said I should expect to hear back from them on Monday. Meanwhile, I get to "enjoy" an EcoSport.

While my 2015 Expedition was at the Ford dealer for repair of the transmission and a stored misfire code (for 51 days), I had the pleasure of driving a Ford Fusion and then a Ford EcoSport. I hated every day with both cars.

My Expedition also had coolant leaks repaired (under warranty - vehicle purchased new and never wrecked) from several hose connections and the coolant reservoir jug, and later from the water pump.

Pressurization of the cooling system did not reveal the water pump leak (by the Ford dealer), and I had to return it again for the water pump repair (insisting there was a leak and for the mechanic to check all locations). The service advisor said on the second trip the mechanic saw the leak when he put the car on the lift. The first trip, the mechanic only pressure tested the system, and sent me on my way with a “unable to duplicate” diagnosis.

 

[Bman25]

Hopefully you got your copay back from the first visit!!

 

[Polo08816]

Curious as to what the issue is.

So on my BMW 335i engine, it'll continue to pump coolant after shutdown if the engine is hot. There will be some gurgling noises in the coolant expansion tank from the coolant return line.

I would say if you're able to, try and bleed the system of air and continue to monitor. Sometimes an automotive stethoscope can help you identify where exactly the noise is coming form.