Many people complain about the sloshing water sounds while driving and accelerating their F150 trucks, which shows that water is moving between the system. It is like the running water in the drain holes; you can hear the noise when it comes in contact with different parts.
Ford F-150 makes sloshing water sound due to condensation in the HVAC system, malfunctioning windshield wiper motors, water on the side steps of trucks, leakage from sunroof drains, and clogged door and window drains. Moreover, the noise comes from air in the coolant, low coolant levels, filled fuel tanks, and damaged window or door seals.
It is necessary to inspect the location of the sloshing sound to find reliable solutions. A quick fix is necessary because moving water can cause corrosion and increase mold growth chances.
Causes | Solutions |
Condensation of HVAC system | Turn the blower fan at high speed |
Clogged evaporator drains | Use metal wire and wiggle it |
Damaged windshield wiper motors | Replace electric motors |
Water stuck in the running boards of the truck | Manually remove the running board |
Clogged drains of door, window, and sunroofs | Use compressed air |
Air pockets in the radiator and low coolant levels | Check coolant levels |
Full fuel tank | Check fuel levels |
Damaged windows or doors seals | Prevent direct exposure of UV radiation |
Condensation of HVAC system
You can hear the sloshing water sound from your truck when you turn on the heating or cooling system. The issue comes because of condensation reactions and the formation of vapors.
The vapors form inside the heating and cooling system and remain in the HVAC parts if there is clogging in its drains.
These cannot drain outside or on the ground surface because of clogged drains. The condensation occurs when you do not turn off the AC or heaters when your vehicle is turned off.
Moreover, sometimes people do not turn on the blower fans at high speed, which causes difficulty in removing condensation and vapors. It is better to turn on the Ford F150 fan at high speed so it can remove moisture. You can also replace the dirty air filters for better airflow.
Clogged evaporator drains
Evaporator drains are in the Ford F150 engine compartment, part of the air conditioning system. The moisture or tiny droplets comes on the evaporator coils and moves outside through their drains.
Sometimes the drains of the Ford trucks are clogged, and it does not allow water movement from them. You can hear the sloshing sound because of the moving water behind the dashboard.
The drains get clogged when dirty air passes through the evaporator coil. The air contains airborne dust and dirt particles and blocks the drains.
The moving moisture on the lower side of the condenser coil produces weird sounds. The unclogging of drains is necessary to remove the vapors from the drains.
You can use the metal wire, insert it inside the drains and wiggle it to remove dirt and dust accumulation.
Damaged windshield wiper motors
Small electric motors drive the windshield wipers of the Ford F150. These motors allow back-and-forth movement and are present on the firewall.
Sometimes the motors become faulty and do not allow their movement to remove water from the windshield of the pickup truck.
The water accumulates on the lower side, and you can hear the sloshing sound because of their movement. The failure of motors comes because of the faulty electrical system of the vehicles.
The issue comes from the broken and damaged wires that connect the motor to these wipers. The motors can also blow out because of their excessive usage.
Locate the old motors on the firewall and detach them to install new ones. Add a new motor and connect it with wires and wipers.
Water stuck in the running boards of the truck
The running boards are in pickup trucks, so you can easily enter them. These are located on the side of the vehicles for extra footsteps.
It is a comfortable feature for old people and children because they can step in and out easily. These side steps also accumulate water, and there are more chances of their corrosion because of their steel material.
The water comes on their side and cannot move to the ground. The problem usually comes in the rainy season and when you park them outside.
In addition, Ford F-150 is good for off-roading, and the moisture comes on running boards because of flooded roads. Crossing and moving at flooded turning points can also carry water.
The moving water in these running boards produces sloshing water sound, and you can resolve this by manually removing these components. There is no draining system for removing entrapped moisture from these parts.
Clogged drains of doors, windows, and sunroofs
The door drains are inside the door panels to remove excess water. These pipes are also located on the window side and sunroofs.
The water moves in these structures or pipes when clogged and cannot come outside. The drivers hear the sloshing water sound from the doors and roof of the Ford F150 trucks during driving because of moving moisture.
This draining system is present in trucks for the removal of rainwater. However, these can get clogged due to dirt and debris from rainwater.
Moreover, the sunroof drains get clogged from the leaves and their residues when you park under trees.
Use the compressed air for proper flushing of these drains. Pass the compressed air, and you can see water suddenly moving through them.
Air pockets in the radiator and low coolant levels
The coolant and antifreeze are present in the engine compartment to maintain its temperature and avoid overheating issues.
The entrapped air in the coolant produces a sloshing water noise. The coolant also moves into the heater core for heating of interior cabin, and trapped air can make a sound.
You can hear it from the passenger cabin because heater cores are inside the vehicles. The problem comes because of low levels of coolant.
The air enters the coolant because of blown-out gaskets or radiator caps, damaged radiator hose, overfilling, and boiling temperature.
Check the coolant levels when you face the issue and refill them. It is also better to check gaskets, hoses, and radiator caps to trace air entry inside the system.
Full fuel tank
A filled fuel tank in the pickup trucks produces a sloshing water sound when the fuel moves. These have the same consistency as the oil, and you feel the water moving somewhere in the outside drains.
The packed particles, because of the high fuel levels, are colliding with one another and causing the issue.
The problem comes when the levels of fuel or gas in the tanks are low. The low levels provide more space for the particles for their back-and-forth motion and hitting with walls.
Fill the tank with the proper fuel level and do not overfill them so it does not allow the free movement of molecules. Check the fuel levels when you hear the uneven noise and move toward gas stations for refilling.
Damaged windows or doors seals
Many people hear the sloshing sound in their cars during the rainy season, which is common in the passenger compartment. The problem comes when water comes inside the cabin of trucks because of the poor sealing of doors and windows.
The poor sealing does not keep the interior safe and free from moisture. You can hear the sound when water droplets are dripping and moving in the interior cabin.
The doors and window seals of Ford F150 get damaged because of their poor maintenance and cleanliness. These can come off when you frequently open and close them during a single trip.
Moreover, the adhesive or sealants become loose, allowing them to come off the windows and doors. Use high-quality sealants to fix the seals coming off your truck’s windows.
In addition, avoiding direct exposure to sunlight and UV radiation is also better because it causes the loosening of sealants.
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