I just replaced my water pump, some oil filter lines, and my power steering pump. Finally got the blazer to start and it's roaring horribly. I'm guessing this is the new water pump trying to prime itself? Does anyone know what I should be expecting? I start it, run it for 10-20 seconds while it's roaring, turn it off, add more antifreeze and check PS fluid, repeat. I've got to get it off my ramps to jack it up and turn the wheel back and forth to get the air out of the PS lines.

Is the roaring noise I'm hearing the water pump priming or the PS pump trying to get rid of the air? Any tips for how to get it back to normal?

It's been suggested that I turn the climate control to Heat, wide open as I get the air out of the system. What do you think about that?

 

I suspect its the fan clutch you are hearing
Removal of the fan clutch and a test start will answer that question

My fan roars until it spins out the oil

 

mine roars sometimes, I would guess the fan clutch.

 

I noticed last night that the fan is rubbing against the bottom shroud somewhat. I guess I need to trim the shroud slightly to make it stop. I will consider the fan clutch as well. It is not locked up though.

 

if the shroud is contacting the fan something is not installed correctly and could damage the radiator as well
take a little more time and correct the issue

 

also check your motor mounts - could be wore out letting the engine sag so the fan contacts the shroud

 

Its the fan clutch, guaranteed

 

Ok, I got the shroud back together yesterday in a way that didn't interfere with the fan blades any. I did a quick test drive to make sure my fixes were all good:

- Left the radiator cap loose at first to get air out of the coolant system
- Thermostat opened when it should and stayed at good temp the whole time
- Got on the interstate for a bit to try and max the oil pressure, the new oil filter line hose w/ double hose clamps worked fine, no issues
- No roaring noise from fan interference

I've only got 1 slight issue and 1 bigger issue now:
- I can't tell if the fan clutch is bad. From what I gather, "bad" is when it turns freely when the engine is off, slipping on the shaft so it doesn't cool. I can give mine a flick w/ my finger and it'll make it maybe a quarter turn before it damps out, so I don't think it's "bad" in that way. However, are they supposed to be always turning when I first start the blazer? Mine does that, and I don't know if it's a problem or not. Maybe just lowers mileage?

- I replaced my power steering pump as well and it is whining like a bad one does
I filled the reservoir, then jacked it up and steered max left and max right several times, as the repair manual says, to bleed the lines. But afterwards, I didn't really see any bubbles or anything in the reservoir, so I didn't need to add more fluid. Even after last night's test drive: no noticeable drop in fluid level from nominal. So, what should I do? Something's not right w/ it, but I can't think of anything to try? Maybe it didn't prime correctly?

 

#1 - clutch fans - the ones that i've had bad spun with no drag at all or they wobbled on the shaft - yes they turn with the engine running #2 - power steering - sometimes it takes quite a few times of working the steering back and forth to start working the air out also check your lines well, even a return line with a small pinhole in it won't leak but will cause the pump to whine