Splashing/Trickling Sound at Cold Start - I've already read the TSB!

[ZoomZoomFan]

I get the little trickle/splash sound during a cold start, and it only lasts for about literally 1.5 seconds. You really have to listen or else you won't hear it. I read this TSB, and followed its steps exactly:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/mazda3/bulletin/09-017-04-1277b.pdf

My coolant level was just BARELY under the max position, so I filled it up with a tiny pour and got it to the correct level. I followed the directions, but this morning I heard the sound again.

My car never overheats, and it always warms up correctly. There's no coolant leak, no excessive cooling, nothing. In fact, if my stereo was a bit louder, I'd never hear the sound and never have known anything was wrong.

What shall I do? I'm tempted to just not worry about it, since it literally doesn't seem to effect the car or its cooling system at all. My car never leaks anything, and it stayed cool on 100+ degree days this fall, as well as warming up just fine when it was 12 last week.

 

[flash75]

That TSB applies to 2004 cars, I assume you have a 2008. If everything is functioning
correctly as you say I wouldn't worry about it. If it does bother you take it to your dealer
and discuss it with them, it should still be under warranty unless you have over 36k miles. Powertrain warranty extends to 60k miles/5years.

Clifton

 

[NStone79]

When you start the car & you are hearing this noise is the Heat/AC/Air on???

Next time you start your car, make sure the air is off before you start it and see if it still makes that noise.

I have noticed this noise on occasion in my '07 3. I think the noise isn't what is mentioned in that service bulletin and it is probably coming from the AC/Heat system.

In the HVAC system inside your dash there is a chamber which houses the AC coil. It is located behind the paneling next to the passengers left side of their left foot behind/under the dash. The bottom of this chamber this is a tube that connects to the chamber and dumps outside. When using the HVAC system condensation can form inside the system and that tube allows it to drain out. If you've ever been in a car where the AC had a real moldy musty smell to it, that is what this tube is there to prevent.

I notice this in my car on occasion & it seems to be the AC. If there were air pockets in your cooling system, then you would probably be seeing occasional temps above normal.

 

[ZoomZoomFan]

Gotcha. The gauge still sits exactly where it always has, regardless of outside temperature or anything. So, I'm officially not gonna worry.

 

[ZoomZoomFan]

FYI:

That's where the temperature gauge stays. It never ever gets higher than that.