I have a 07 Grand Prix that is making a gurgling/swishing water sound when I turn left or right. It sounds like there is water in the vents. Sometimes this noise also happens when simply driving down the road. It is also starting to smell musty. What is causing this noise? How can this be fixed? How do I get the smell to go away?

Although it is possible for condensation water to build up in the A/C case, it's unlikely because you would have seen signs of leakage inside the car. You are most likely just hearing the refrigerant system equalizing when it's shut off. All cars do this and it depends where the orifice tube is located to determine how loud it seems to you.
The musty smell may or may not be normal. They tend to build up bacteria on the evaporators that can be killed with Lysol if you can get access to the core itself.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

It makes this noise all the time. Even on cool days when we dont run the a/c. Also, it wasnt long after we started hearing the noise the oder became present. H how would I go about draining the a/c case and is it possible that the drain hose from the evaporater is clogged? Thanks for your last reply

It's not likely at all. Run the A/C for a while and see if it starts dripping. if it does, then you know it's not clogged.
You say it happens on days when you didn't use the A/C, then that would eliminate condensation also. If it wasn't draining, it would have been leaking into the car by now.
If you use the defroster, it does engage the A/C compressor also.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

Could'nt the condensation gotten trapped while we were using the a/c. When we do run the a/c, it sounds like more and more water is being trapped.

Ir would eventually fill up and have to leak out somewhere.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

I figured out the gurgling noise is caused by rain water getting through somewhere. I figured this out because it stopped happening after long periods with no rain. The noise would start back up after a rain shower. Just the other day, I noticed a puddle of water (not coolent) on the passenger floor after the car was sitting during 2 days of rain. The gurgling started again and now the heater blows only luke warm (at best). I've seen on other sites that pontiacs are known for this problem. These other sites didn't offer any info on how the water got in or why it caused the the heat to stop working. They only said that the water would damage the heating system. If pontiacs are known for this, can anyone tell me where the problem area is and what to do to fix the leak and heat. thanks. 07 GP 60k. coolent level is good and test well.

Any problem like that would indicate the outside air vent is not draining, probably due to being plugged up with debri but there are no TSBs indicating a known problem in that area. Being that new, I would thing warranty should be helping.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

bumper to bumper warrenty has expired. where would this pluged vent be located and what do you think got damaged to cause it to blow luke warm? are you aware of pontiacs having this problem? I've heard they were known for these problems.

To add a trick for possible leak like this: It may be the windshield! Try using good 2" painters tape (it removes cleanly) and seal paint to glass eliminating the seal in essence. It's ugly but if the leak quits and you have glass coverage mention that you are near sure the leak is the windshield which might be covered. It can break to remove it so beware of that if not covered.

Ask the dealer about this is an idea. They might take care of it?

Also: If car was ever in a collision it could be the cause??

Just ideas,

T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

I replaced the plastic air vent located on passenger side. There was a 3/4" void between it and the windshield that allowed water to poor in onto floor (after swishing around the dash somewhere). I got the leak to stop and now I need to figure out my no heat problem. I was wondering if there was any parts of the heating system that could of been damaged by my water leak. It only blows luke warm. This started after the car was parked on a steep hill during a long constant rain and there was a huge puddle on the floor. Before, I never noticed water on the dark carpet, only swishing sound. Being familure with the dexcool clogging issues, I ruled that out due to the fact there is 60k on it and the dex problems seemed to occur with more mileage. Not sure if that was a good assumption on my part though. What are some things I need to due to diagnose this problem. thanks! just started blowing warm heat at best.


(This post was edited by jlrodgers74 on Nov 1, 2009, 8:37 PM)

 With the engine at full operating temp, locate the 2 heater hoses where they go into the firewall and feel them to see if they are both hot to the touch. If they are both hot, the core is not blocked.

The temperature is controlled by the use of an air mix door that is operated by an electric motor/actuator. This door can be jammed or the actuator can be inoperative or have stripped plastic gears internally.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

I have a bad feeling that getting to this actuator and door is going to involve removing dash. Is that the case and would I be able to get the actuator tested or test it myself?

It's under the dash on the passenger side right next to the blower motor.








78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

thanks for the speedy response and info. any way i could test actuator myself?

Some you can watch move??

T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

To add; By removing the glove box.
Loren
SW WA