Sloshing liquid behind steering wheel.

jpheneger · 07-25-2018, 09:19 AM

Whenever I drive my car in the morning, I hear quite a bit of liquid sloshing behind (and above) the steering wheel. I park slightly uphill, and it only happens once I start moving.

Does anyone know what causes this?

2011 370z touring

JARblue · 07-25-2018, 09:53 AM

Your post isn't very clear...

You hear sloshing above the steering wheel? Like free-floating in the air above the steering wheel?

You said it only happens once you start moving if parked on an uphill slope. Are you saying that you hear sloshing when you're not moving on level ground or a downhill slope?

The clutch and brake fluids are on the other side of the firewall from the steering wheel, and I guarantee you they slosh while driving. But you'll never 'hear' them sloshing.

Chuck33079 · 07-25-2018, 09:56 AM

Air bubble trapped in the heater core?

jpheneger · 07-25-2018, 10:34 AM

The sound is right in front of me when I'm in the driver's seat, and it sounds like it's just below the hood - so yeah, it kinda sounds like its floating above and behind the steering column. It sounDs like someone is pouring a glass of water - its loud. It only happens when the car has been sitting overnight - I haven't checked on a flat road or parking backwards.

SouthArk370Z · 07-25-2018, 11:40 AM

There is a long spring in the steering wheel that may be making the noise.

Edit: If that's not it, I agree with Chuck33079 that it may be an air pocket in the HVAC system.

ElwoodBlues · 07-25-2018, 11:51 AM

I'd think it's something like condensation buildup in the cowl area that drains out once you start moving. I'm not sure where the drain holes are (front or back side of that area) but try backing into you parking spot and see if it still happens.

KCZ · 07-25-2018, 12:41 PM

Windshield washer fluid? Fill the reservoir and see if the sound goes away.

barncobob · 07-25-2018, 01:03 PM

U left a 20 oz. under hood while working on it?

Rusty · 07-25-2018, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCZ

Windshield washer fluid? Fill the reservoir and see if the sound goes away.

The reservoir is located on the right front, behind the bumper, below the headlight, in front of the tire.

KCZ · 07-26-2018, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

The reservoir is located on the right front, behind the bumper, below the headlight, in front of the tire.

I'm aware of that, as well as where the other various reservoirs, etc are located. However, I think I've only ever heard 2 things "sloshing" in my vehicles while driving...gas and washer fluid. Air pocket/bubble in HVAC system? Has anyone actually heard sloshing from that? Start checking the simplest explanations first. I could also believe a water bottle in the car.

Chuck33079 · 07-26-2018, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCZ

Air pocket/bubble in HVAC system? Has anyone actually heard sloshing from that?

Yup. Many times. Loud and very noticeable. My father in law's car would routinely have this happen. Get the front of the car up in the air and burp the coolant system and it would go away for 10k miles or so.

SouthArk370Z · 07-26-2018, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCZ

... Air pocket/bubble in HVAC system? Has anyone actually heard sloshing from that? ...

I have.

It can be difficult to describe what something sounds like to someone else - a recording might help ID the cause.

ramoszx12r · 07-25-2018, 06:03 PM

The flopper in the toiler is hang up.

jpheneger · 07-25-2018, 07:59 PM

I thought it might be condensation, but it happened today while driving. I was stopped at a light (after 45 mins on the freeway), while on mostly flat ground, as I started forward I heard it again - although quieter than in the morning.

madwi · 07-26-2018, 02:07 AM

Could there be a bottle of water or other something under/behind the seat?

07-25-2018, 09:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
jpheneger Base Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Morgan Hill CA Posts: 9 Drives: 11 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 8	Sloshing liquid behind steering wheel. Whenever I drive my car in the morning, I hear quite a bit of liquid sloshing behind (and above) the steering wheel. I park slightly uphill, and it only happens once I start moving. Does anyone know what causes this? 2011 370z touring

07-25-2018, 09:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 43 Posts: 36,449 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684440	Your post isn't very clear... You hear sloshing above the steering wheel? Like free-floating in the air above the steering wheel? You said it only happens once you start moving if parked on an uphill slope. Are you saying that you hear sloshing when you're not moving on level ground or a downhill slope? The clutch and brake fluids are on the other side of the firewall from the steering wheel, and I guarantee you they slosh while driving. But you'll never 'hear' them sloshing. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

07-25-2018, 09:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29538	Air bubble trapped in the heater core? SouthArk370Z and JARblue like this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

07-25-2018, 11:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324197	There is a long spring in the steering wheel that may be making the noise. Edit: If that's not it, I agree with Chuck33079 that it may be an air pocket in the HVAC system. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

07-25-2018, 01:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
barncobob A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: hangtown, CA Posts: 1,164 Drives: 16 370Z auto Rep Power: 589	U left a 20 oz. under hood while working on it? Memphis370Z, sx moneypit and wideglideleon like this.

07-25-2018, 10:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
jpheneger Base Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Morgan Hill CA Posts: 9 Drives: 11 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 8	The sound is right in front of me when I'm in the driver's seat, and it sounds like it's just below the hood - so yeah, it kinda sounds like its floating above and behind the steering column. It sounDs like someone is pouring a glass of water - its loud. It only happens when the car has been sitting overnight - I haven't checked on a flat road or parking backwards.

07-25-2018, 11:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
ElwoodBlues Base Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 108 Drives: 17 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 14	I'd think it's something like condensation buildup in the cowl area that drains out once you start moving. I'm not sure where the drain holes are (front or back side of that area) but try backing into you parking spot and see if it still happens.

07-25-2018, 12:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
KCZ Base Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NH Posts: 89 Drives: '03 350Z Track Model Rep Power: 3367	Windshield washer fluid? Fill the reservoir and see if the sound goes away.

07-25-2018, 06:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
ramoszx12r Track Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Carneys point NJ Posts: 665 Drives: 16 370Z Nismo White. Rep Power: 1427	The flopper in the toiler is hang up. __________________ Tony Ramos

07-25-2018, 07:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
jpheneger Base Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Morgan Hill CA Posts: 9 Drives: 11 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 8	I thought it might be condensation, but it happened today while driving. I was stopped at a light (after 45 mins on the freeway), while on mostly flat ground, as I started forward I heard it again - although quieter than in the morning.

07-26-2018, 02:07 AM	#15 (permalink)
madwi A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: West Michigan Posts: 31,400 Drives: Granma red Z Rep Power: 2684428	Could there be a bottle of water or other something under/behind the seat?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Does anyone else hear splashing liquid sounds behind the steering column when driving	ZSerg	Engine & Drivetrain	4	03-04-2018 10:13 AM
Steering wheel pump *whining steering wheel when turning	johncarlopang	Engine & Drivetrain	18	02-26-2017 10:32 AM
power steering liquid leak, is this picture normal?	Need_NewName	Engine & Drivetrain	2	06-17-2015 07:07 AM
Retrofitting nav steering wheel buttons onto non-nav steering wheel?	ghostbusters	Exterior & Interior	2	10-11-2011 11:27 AM
Gas Sloshing Around	Jeffblue	Exterior & Interior	18	05-18-2010 06:28 PM