Maybe I'm just a complete idiot but my car's been like gargling when it starts up every once in a while. Not sure what the hell it could be. But it like vibrates awkwardly. Any ideas? I feel like such a noob.

 

i think its ur cooling system...Firstly I would suggest using the bleed valve on the radiator, run it up to temperature allow to cool and top up system, dont forget to leave the heater set on hot. If that dosent do it then remove both caps run the engine up to temperature topping up the swirl pot as needed. let the fan cut in and out. Allow to cool, top up swirl pot and replace caps. I would suggest pressure cap on swirl poy and non pressurised cap on expansion tank. Run it and see waht happens. OR sounds like a faulty head gasket, causing one or more cylinders to fill with water when the car is not running.
When you try to start it, the water is forced back into the cooling system.
Only solution is to take the head(s) off and have a look - or you could take out the spark plugs and turn the engine over with the starter, you'll probably find one or more cylinders pushing water out of the plug hole.

 

U are a ryan

 

i would say that. bad head gasket / piston rings. It see bubbles in your coolant its usually not good.

 

hmmmm, gargling can mean anything to different people (sound like liquid, or engine stall/trouble). Could be coolant related, but could be ignition related if there is a odd vibration. I dunno that is a weird one.

 

i dont think it has anything to do with my cooling system becuase when I start the car and it vibrates, i've revved up the engine to see if it would stop..probably doing more harm then help, but even then it doesnt sound right. my guess would be something with the engine more than the cooling system.

 

well you know it has been cold especially in PA if ur still there. A oil change would do and maybe a tune up. Father inlaw's Jetta shakes like crazy upon start-up.

 

I'm in Florida and have been since august. I'm bringing it back up Dec 12th. and i have a lil while til i need the oil changed again. I might just have to suck it up and take it to the dealership just in case.

 

one question: how many miles on your engine?

 

id say about... oh you know, just like 133,000

 

ok, well based on your previous description its a bit hard to diagnose . however i doubt the cooling system has anything to do with it, neither does the ignition system. if you havent tuned up then its probably a good idea since you're above 130 k ,also inspect your belts. if you havent done any major work on the engine/or driven it under severe conditions,and have 130 k on it then its unlikely that your piston rings are bad. headgasket is probably good as well.

for the start up,how does your idle sit? and during vibration does the engine hesitate?

and hows your mounts?

 

Motor or tranny mount

 

on start up, its starts up on the first try but sits there for a second, and just makes a gargling noise, its hard to describe it and its only happened twice so far. I havent done any work on the engine, the only thing that has been done is the added muffler. and yes the engine hesitates, the car starts but the engine doesnt fully fire up. like i said its only happened twice, the first time i figured it wasnt anything so i didnt pay too much attention to it. the second time i got out of my car and popped the hood, didnt notice anything out of the norm. and as far as my mounts go, to be honest, i have no clue to tell whether theyre good or bad. theres a reason why i dont mess with the engine, cause i simply have no clue whats going on with most of that shit. my friends know all of that, but im kinda 1000+ miles away so i cant exactly get their first hand opinion.

 

ok well heres what i would reccommend ,if theres hesitation, then defintely get a tune up. then you can distinguish between vibration due to bad motor mounts and such and vibration specifically from bad connections.

if there is still vibration after a tune up, then i would go to a local shop,pay them few bucks and have them check the mounts. some may even do it for free.


oh and your air control valve may be clogged up or fuel pump isnt working all the way. also get some injector cleaner and pop that in the fuel tank.

 

and a lil reminder, if you're planning on fixing this problem you probably have to be ready to fork over some money. but i would defintely start with a tune up.

the more money you put into the system ,the better the economy. so dont worry about it. you'll get your money back from the stimulus package.

 

this cars already a black hole. im not too worried about it, im just trying to keep it alive til about april. But a tune up is definitely in need im sure, so ill get it checked out if it makes it up to my mechanic for christmas break...IF is a keyword. Thanks for your help though.

 

np and if you dont get it checked out than you can always donate it to the salvation army.

 

man my car runs like shit. actually it runs well just burns oil like a mo fo

 

lol spencer.

and zero gl luck with the car.

hopefully it is just something so simple as a tune up

 

check to see the condition on your spark plug wires.