# 2004 Dodge Stratus Radiator Gurgling after shut off **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** dodge, stratus\ **Created:** [June 9, 2020, 5:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-dodge-stratus-radiator-gurgling-after-shut-off/165534 "2020-06-09T17:47:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Merlin84123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@Merlin84123](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Merlin84123)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 5:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-dodge-stratus-radiator-gurgling-after-shut-off/165534/1 "2020-06-09T17:47:32Z")
I have a 2004 Dodge Stratus who’s radiator was replaced about a year ago and for the past 5-6 months after I park it and shut it down the radiator “gurgles” as though it is out of fluid. It runs normally and the temp gauge is in the normal position. I fill the reservoir and it seems to be empty all the time. It does not appear to be leaking anywhere. I am getting ready to take a trip and do not want to have to replace the radiator yet again. Any advice? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 5:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-dodge-stratus-radiator-gurgling-after-shut-off/165534/2 "2020-06-09T17:53:18Z")
If it wasn’t done, replace the radiator cap. If radiator cap isn’t capable of holding the proper pressure, the coolant in the radiator will boil. And if the cap can’t hold the proper pressure, coolant can escape the cooling system as a vapor. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Merlin84123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@Merlin84123](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Merlin84123)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 5:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-dodge-stratus-radiator-gurgling-after-shut-off/165534/3 "2020-06-09T17:55:08Z")
how do u tell if the cap can hold the pressure or not? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 5:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-dodge-stratus-radiator-gurgling-after-shut-off/165534/4 "2020-06-09T17:59:42Z")
With cooling system pressure tester with adapters to test radiator caps. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/e/2/e2e65435836a21fae1bd8e650bf51628bc1eedd6.jpeg) Here’s a guy testing a radiator cap. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/8/1/813a4f7f88fd02ce6b0b969c186b365473551e04.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![Merlin84123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@Merlin84123](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Merlin84123)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 6:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-dodge-stratus-radiator-gurgling-after-shut-off/165534/5 "2020-06-09T18:01:42Z")
TY. I will have it checked. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-dodge-stratus-radiator-gurgling-after-shut-off/165534/6 "2020-06-09T19:48:20Z")
Or just replace the radiator cap. They aren’t are expensive as the labor cost to test one. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 8:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-dodge-stratus-radiator-gurgling-after-shut-off/165534/7 "2020-06-09T20:14:03Z")
That same pressure testing kit can pump up the cooling system so you can detect leaks. I borrowed the kit at a nearby O’Reilly’s. (Actually, they sell you the kit and refund you when you return it on time and intact.) Pumped about 20 PSI into my cooling system at the radiator cap. Next morning there was a small puddle. I traced it up to a leaking intake manifold gasket. I bought one when returning the pressure kit and had it installed by late that afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-dodge-stratus-radiator-gurgling-after-shut-off/165534/8 "2020-06-09T20:32:27Z")
I suggest you have the block checked to see if there is head gasket leak. Hopefully this isn’t the case but it might be what is causing the issue. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 9:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-dodge-stratus-radiator-gurgling-after-shut-off/165534/9 "2020-06-09T21:19:30Z")
Easy pressure test for me, squeeze the upper radiator hose when cool. After it is warmed up squeeze it, it should be significantly firmer. ---
**Author:** ![Merlin84123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@Merlin84123](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Merlin84123)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 9:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-dodge-stratus-radiator-gurgling-after-shut-off/165534/10 "2020-06-09T21:24:41Z")
Thank You, everyone. The problem is solved. It WAS the cap and the local Jiffy Lube checked & replaced it for free. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 10:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-dodge-stratus-radiator-gurgling-after-shut-off/165534/11 "2020-06-09T22:30:18Z")
Good luck but still keep a close watch on it. I wouldn’t trust IFFY LUBE to clean my window’s much less anything else. ---
**Author:** ![PhantomPatriot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/phantompatriot/32/20713_2.png) [@PhantomPatriot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PhantomPatriot)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 6:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-dodge-stratus-radiator-gurgling-after-shut-off/165534/12 "2020-06-10T06:46:12Z")
I’m very glad you solved the issue! But—Stay away from Jiffy Lube! I wouldn’t even trust them to screw the cap on. They cross-threaded an oil filter on my first car which caused all the oil to leak out, permanently destroying the engine. Seriously, beware. ---
**Author:** ![Merlin84123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@Merlin84123](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Merlin84123)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 3:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-dodge-stratus-radiator-gurgling-after-shut-off/165534/13 "2020-06-10T15:18:08Z")
TY very much. Maybe I’ll go somewhere else and have their “new” cap checked. I have taken my car there every year for the past 3 yrs for their free oil change on Vet’s Day and they seem to do that ok, but I will for sure heed all of you guy’s warning. TY again.