Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

18-NA-015
November, 2019

TECHNICAL
Subject:

Gurgle or Water Rush Noise from Dash Area Upon a Stop

Brand:

Model:

Chevrolet

Malibu

Model Year:
from

to

2016

2018

VIN:
VIN Code
T and
X Only

Date Breakpoint:

SOP

Prior to
June 15,
2018

Engine:

Transmission:

1.5L (LFV) or
2.0L (LTG)

All

Involved Region or Country

North America, Israel

Additional Options (RPOs)

Equipped with Engine RPO LFV / LTG and VIN Code T and X

Condition

Some customers may comment that they hear a water flowing / rushing noise or a
gurgling type noise from the center of the dash area at an Auto Stop.
The customer may also notice that the coolant level in the surge tank is low.

Cause

This may be caused by the cooling system capacity not being full. Air / voids are in the
cooling system and the air will accumulate at the heater core. When the vehicle does an
Auto stop, the auxiliary water pump operates and causes the water rush / gurgle type
noise.

Correction

The system fill level should be adjusted to 5 mm above the "Full Cold Mark" and the air in
the system has to be purged by following the Service Procedure below.

Service Procedure
Important: The Service Procedure below should only
be performed on vehicles exhibiting the condition, AND
which fall within the date breakpoint. For vehicles which
fall outside of the date breakpoint, DO NOT perform
the Service Procedure below, but simply bleed the air
out of the system. Refer to Cooling System Draining
and Filling in SI.
1. With the engine/coolant cold, add coolant to the
tank until the level is 5-10 mm above the seam.
2. Start the vehicle and idle the engine until the
coolant reaches operating temperature.
3. Take the car for a short test drive to confirm the fix.
4. Perform several key off and restart cycles,
especially if the vehicle does not perform any auto
stops during the test drive:
• If the noise is still present during an auto stop
event, go to step 5.
• If the noise is gone, go to step 6.

Copyright 2019 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

5. If topping off the coolant did not remove the noise,
evacuate and fill the cooling system and go to step
2. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling
in SI.
6. Allow the engine/coolant to cool down.
7. With the cap still on, confirm the level in the tank is
still at least 5 mm above the seam.
⇒ If the level is low, safely remove the cap and add
coolant until the level is 5 mm above the seam.

Parts Information
DEXCOOL Coolant (Use 12378390 for U.S. and
10953456 for Canada)

Page 2

November, 2019

Bulletin No.: 18-NA-015

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under the Bumper-to-Bumper
coverage (Canada Base Warranty coverage), use the
following labor operation. Reference the Applicable
Warranties section of Investigate Vehicle History (IVH)
for coverage information.
Labor
Operation

Description

Labor Time

4033392

Coolant System Flushing

Use
Published
Labor
Operation
Time

4086238*

Vehicle Test Drive and
Coolant Top Off

0.5 hr

Add

Cooling System Draining
and Filling

1.0 hr

*This is a unique Labor Operation for bulletin use only.

Version

4

Modified

Released January 17, 2018
May 4, 2018 – Changed information in the Correction section, added a new Service
Procedure and updated the Warranty Information.
August 20, 2019 – Added Date Breakpoint, updated Involved Region or Country section,
added an Important statement to the start of Service Procedure and updated the
Warranty Information.
November 06, 2019 – Corrected the first Labor Operation in the Warranty Information.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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