sounds like water from behind my dash
 

I have recently noticed a noise coming from behind where the radio is located on my 98 Civic...It sounds like water sloshing back and forth like it is inside a bottle!!! When I leave from a standstill or I make a turn, I can hear the noise like water is moving around!!

I looked under the seats and everywhere else thinking that my wife dropped a water bottle but no luck.

Is there some liquid resevoir behind the centre console that is making this noise???

Incidently, I recently had the front brakes replaced (pads) and a new tranny installed (if any of this matters..)
Thanks,
MG

If the noise is right behind the dash, it is likely engine coolant. Did you ever wonder where the heat from the heater came from? Well, from the engine of course.

Hot engine coolant passes through your heater core, which is located between your center dash and firewall, the heat is drawn into the heater box and out the vents. The coolant exits and back to the engine block.

First thing to do is check your coolant level. Warning, don't open the radiator cap when the engine is hot.

Did you have your coolant flushed lately?

Mark

Is your wife trying to surprise you with a bowl of fish behind there? :D

Yeah.. if anything.. check your coolant level.. but seems strange.. even if the heater core had a leak.. it should leak out of the car.. Shouldn't be collecting anywhere.

liquid noise from behind dash
 

thanks for the posts..asa matter of fact, I had the rad fluid replaced a month ago at a Honda dealer...

does the noise indicate low fluid or too much??
Thansk,

Could be air in the heater core that's allowing the coolant to slosh around, but that's behind the glovebox, not the center console.

air in heater coil
 

the noise soundslike it is coming form behind the radio but it may be from behind the glove box...how would air get into the heater coil? Could it be from when the rad fluid was changed??

I don't want to run back to the dealer and get hosed with a huge service bill if 1) this isn't a safety issue and 2) I can't prove that it was their wrongdoing

You have an air pocket in the coolent system more than likely. The way to get ride of it is as following. When the engine is cold (make sure it's really cool so no coolent "gushes" out all over you) pop open the rad cap. Turn the car on and let warm up. Yes you more than likely will get some spilling. *Make sure to keep on the coolent level in the bottle, if there's isn't any you'll just end up putting more air into the system. When the tremostate open's wait for a few more minutes just to be sure the air bubble comes out. Then just put the cap back on and it should be fixed.

thanks...a few questions:

1) when you say "Make sure to keep on the coolent level in the bottle, if there's isn't any you'll just end up putting more air into the system"......do you mean that I need to stand beside the overflow tank with my water/coolant bottle and when it gets below the MIN level, pour some more in???

2) You mention to wait until the thermostat is open and then wait for a few more min...how will I know that the thermo is open??

Sorry for the list of questions but I don't want to screw up the car....

By the way, how risky is this procedure??!!
Thanks,
MG