I'm having an odd problem. I just drained and filled the coolant system after replacing the radiator hoses. Now I have a mechanical sound that happens when I gently rev the engine. It almost sounds like a fan scrapping on something, but that can't be the case because the fan is electric and doesn't depend on engine speed. Could an air pocket in the water pump cause this sound? How could I solve it? If the pump isn't pumping coolant how do I burp the system and will a dry water pump get damaged? Some coolant got splashed near the belt area as I was refilling and I'm not sure if that damaged anything. Any ideas? It is definitely coming from the serpentine belt area.

 

The system should burp itself. If the thermostat has been replaced it likely doesn't have a jiggle valve to let the air bypass a closed thermostat. In that case you will need to let the car warm up to get the air to bleed out.

I always drill a 1/16" hole in a new thermostat just for that reason.

...Lee

 

I'd always wondered what the little hole was there for in the thermostat LOL

 

Drive it and see what happens.

 

After driving it a bit did the coolant reservoir level drop a little ??