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Liquid Sloshing Sound

56K views 24 replies 19 participants last post by  Old Dogger 
#1 ·
I've got a '16 JKU w/ Manual Tran and recently I've noticed a sloshing sound when I start up and move forwards or backwards. I can usually hear the sound for a few minutes. It sounds like like some kind of fluid or water is splashing around underneath the center console area.

First thought would be something transmission fluid, but don't know why since it's the original fluid from the factory.

Any ideas? and should I be worried and take it to dealer to be looked at?
 
#2 ·
could be an air bubble in the cooling system, which sounds like a waterfalls from behind the glove box. Mine sounded like that when I changed my thermostat so each morning when it was cold I added antifreeze til the radiator stopped being low.
 
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#5 ·
Forgive me if this is a stupid answer....I don't have my Jeep yet (it's on order) but I had an Expedition with a similar issue...turns out they have "wet" doors with drain plugs at the bottom. If the drains are plugged, your doors will fill with water (who knew?). I pulled the plugs on the doors and got a surprising amount of water out...

Anyhow...again, sorry if this is not applicable on the Jeeps, but it's worth looking into...
 
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#9 ·
Well I do have terrible hearing so it could be from anywhere front and right of me. Hard to try and get close to the sound while driving. I can rule out freedom panels as I have a soft top.

Someone also mentioned side steps, but I've got the Black Bear packaged rails, so don't think that's the issue either.
 
#10 ·
HI there. Fellow NC State guy here. "87.

Had the same issue, and my ears were playing tricks on me. Took it to the dealer and they immediately checked the heater core / cooling system. Nada. In my case, it was actually water collected in my tubular welded closed side steps. No clue how that happened. Drilled some drain holes, and a gallon each of water came out. Unreal.

I guess the lesson is to not discount an easy answer. Dealer was very helpful in finding the issue.
 
#13 ·
I have the same issue.
Only notice it first thing in the morning as I back out of the driveway. Never hear it after that.
Sounds to me like its coming from the cargo area.
 
#15 ·
Solution!

I had this problem on my 2010 unlimited for a year before I figured it out and it drove me crazy! If you hear sloshing in the dashboard you have a clogged A/C condenser line.

There is a a black rubber elbow sticking out of the firewall between the steering linkage and the transmission way down near where the firewall meets the floor pan. easiest way to get to it is to get under the jeep on the driver's side.

You have to do a little twisting but the elbow comes right off and exposes about 1/2" of the condenser line. you need to *gently* stick something like a screwdriver or bent wire hanger in the line to unplug the clog.

trust me, you'll know when it works because about a gallon of water is going to come pouring out (much to the amusement of my 13 year old son who watched his old man get soaked).

Put the elbow back on and you are good to go. I have not heard the slosh since.

FYI - my situation got so bad that I was getting water dripping under the dash on the passenger side as well. I wound up having to also replace the blower motor and fan resistor but it only totaled about $60 and took me less than an hour to do the whole job.
 
#24 ·
Solution!

I had this problem on my 2010 unlimited for a year before I figured it out and it drove me crazy! If you hear sloshing in the dashboard you have a clogged A/C condenser line.

There is a a black rubber elbow sticking out of the firewall between the steering linkage and the transmission way down near where the firewall meets the floor pan. easiest way to get to it is to get under the jeep on the driver's side.

You have to do a little twisting but the elbow comes right off and exposes about 1/2" of the condenser line. you need to gently stick something like a screwdriver or bent wire hanger in the line to unplug the clog.

trust me, you'll know when it works because about a gallon of water is going to come pouring out (much to the amusement of my 13 year old son who watched his old man get soaked).

Put the elbow back on and you are good to go. I have not heard the slosh since.

FYI - my situation got so bad that I was getting water dripping under the dash on the passenger side as well. I wound up having to also replace the blower motor and fan resistor but it only totaled about $60 and took me less than an hour to do the whole job.
If you are able could u provide a picture of where this condenser line is...I looked but was unsure and didn't want to pull something apart that was not it
 
#17 ·
Same Issue (Water Sloshing Sound)

I have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. For about the last 2 months I have had a "water sloshing sound" that comes and goes on my passenger side. I have had my heating coil replaced, the radiator replaced and the thermostat housing replaced all by a Dodge Dealership and luckily under warranty. However the sloshing sound has come back once again...this time it didn't really come back until after we had a good rain.

I also have an issue with my passenger side carpet being constantly soaked after it rains. I have weather tech floor mats that have had water standing in them on both the diver and passenger side.

Any advice or solutions are greatly appreciated!
 
#19 ·
I have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. For about the last 2 months I have had a "water sloshing sound" that comes and goes on my passenger side. I have had my heating coil replaced, the radiator replaced and the thermostat housing replaced all by a Dodge Dealership and luckily under warranty. However the sloshing sound has come back once again...this time it didn't really come back until after we had a good rain.

I also have an issue with my passenger side carpet being constantly soaked after it rains. I have weather tech floor mats that have had water standing in them on both the diver and passenger side.

Any advice or solutions are greatly appreciated!
Welcome to the Forum.
 
#18 ·
Don’t know if this helps but I had oval side steps on my Jeep when I first got it and they filled with water. I had that sloshing sound and thought it was a bigger issue.

I drilled holes under the steps and a whole bunch of water poured out. Just a thought while you are trying to eliminate reasons


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#22 ·
Had the same sound on mine. Took the radiator cap off and topped off the radiator with what little it would take. Did this for a few days and the sound has been gone since. That was a few years back.
 
#23 ·
Super back flush

I had to instal a flushing T to the left heater core hose and do and complete back flush, refilled with Zerex5 (2012 jku) and burped her for a good 30 minutes. Sloosh gone!
 
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