The moisture on the carpet, is it water or coolant, oiley feeling with a slight sweet smell?
Mike

 

Once again, Disco Mike is on the right track. You must confirm what it is that is ending up on the passenger side carpeting. I would bet you have a leaking heater core. The noise you hear (especially right after you start the engine) is because you do not have a cooling system devoid of air like it should be. You have entrapped air in the system. When liquid is turbulent through a closed system---being pumped under pressure by the water pump---you will normally not hear much of anything. Add air to this situation and you will. Another sign of entrapped air is a flucuating temp gage reading. I think the dealer statement about the cap is all "smoke and mirrors"--as is the bull**** about it taking some time for the anti-freeze to circulate until a air bubble "pops" (Man--where do they get this ****?). If the cap was only holding 3 psi, you would be dumping coolant down the overflow all the time.

The check engine light needs more diagnosis. Have the codes pulled and we can steer you in the right direction.

Regards,

Geoman
www.eurotekapg.com