Weird noise...

Bartonprince · 27-09-2005 10:30am #1

Ok, in my new 93' Astra (hehe new!!) When you start it up after it's been sitting for a day or so, You can hear a water sound coming from the engine, it sounds like the water pump or something. It goes after a minute or 2. Anyone know what it actually is, and how i can stop the noise happening?

stevenmu · 27-09-2005 11:25am

The mothers punto had a bubbling, gurgling noise on startup a while back, like you we thought it was a water pump or something, it got worse after a while and could be heard when backing off on the throttle after acceleration, turned out to be a gasket going.

Bartonprince · 27-09-2005 11:44am

ouch. If it's the head gasket.. i might as well get a new car eh!?!!

fletch · 27-09-2005 12:05pm

I get that sound too....I wouldn't say it has anything to do with the head gasket to be honest! (hoping not anyway!)

Bartonprince · 27-09-2005 12:29pm

but you do think it's a gasket problem?

would it not just be a dodgy water pump?

stevenmu · 27-09-2005 1:12pm

That's just going by what happened my mothers car, and afair it was my dad who knew what it was not a mechanic trying to charge extra for a small problem, their mechanic is pretty decent anyway. I don't think it cost too much to repair anyway, probably a lot less than the cost/hassle of a new car anyway, especially if you're happy enough with the astra other than that.

fletch · 27-09-2005 1:18pm

It could be a gasket alright but I certainly don't think the head gasket would cause a watery sound

Bartonprince · 27-09-2005 1:36pm

Expensive to get fixed you think?

Seth Brundle · 27-09-2005 2:30pm

If the head gasket is making a strange noise then surely it would already be gone!

Bartonprince · 27-09-2005 2:38pm

It sounds like water bubbling or filtering. But then it goes after a little while. The car is driving smoothly etc... and makes no noise or anything when going at 70MPH...

SouperComputer · 27-09-2005 2:41pm

could be the head gasket alright. Although normally when the Gasket is gone, you hear a bubbling sound when you stop the engine.

Have a look under the oil filler cap and see if there is any mayonaisse (SP?) coloured goop.

[edit] could also be an air leak ino the cooling system [/edit]

Bartonprince · 27-09-2005 3:00pm

so the noise sounds like a terminal problem yes? Is there any chance it could be nothing?

mike65 · 27-09-2005 3:07pm

Are you sure ithe noise is from the engine? It could be the cooling system or possibly a leak in the matrix.

Mike.

Bartonprince · 27-09-2005 3:10pm

Well it's hard to tell, It only happens when driving it. And only happens for a minute or 2 then stop. So it kinda sounds like something Watery! What do you think, It could be coming from anywhere i suppose. I;d need someone to take a look really i think.

bazz26 · 27-09-2005 3:23pm

From my uncle's experience of the MkI Opel Astra they went through water pumps like tyres. That Astra was notorious for failed water pumps back then. Your problem could possibly be a dodgy waterpump.

If it is the head gasket then as already mentioned check the inside of the oil filler cap for a whitish type fluid.

Best thing to do is bring it to a reliable independant mechanic to take a look.

Bartonprince · 27-09-2005 3:46pm

ok thanks for the help. i'll get that checked tonight. if there is no white stuff under the cap (the gap on the gasket yes?) then what?

AMurphy · 27-09-2005 10:39pm

stevenmu wrote:

The mothers punto had a bubbling, gurgling noise on startup a while back, like you we thought it was a water pump or something, it got worse after a while and could be heard when backing off on the throttle after acceleration, turned out to be a gasket going.

Not the head gasket, but the exhaust flange or manifold gasket. Small problem and easy to detect if you can put your hands near the flanges, you will feel the hot gasses burning your hand.
Often stops when the pieces heat up and expand, then it breaks up completely and much easier to locate. if the gasket is not burned, simply tightening the bolts will cure it.

And it could be a water pump bearing, but they tend to wobble and snap/crack, not bubble and gurgle.

Crosshair · 28-09-2005 10:05am

On vectra or astra this is either water leak
elsewhere on engine or head gasket, usually
the latter. The heater matrix has air trapped inside
causing the noise you describe, may be worth checking
water level in the tank may be low. Otherwise
leave it alone until more of the gasket symptoms
start to emerge, oily water, mayonaisse, have seen
this on numerous opels.

Weird noise...

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