Priming a New Water Pump?

[Mango]

Does know the procedure on how to prime a new water pump? Do you have to prime a New Pump?
1989, 350, 90,000 miles
Replaced the pump about a year ago this may be the culprit to the humming whining noise that is very inconsistent does this sitting still while idling especially when cold?
May also be the steering pump replaced two years ago reman.
All pulleys recently replaced! Also new alternator year and half ago
Merry Christmas !

 

[ChuckN]

I’m not saying I’m doing it the right way, but I’ve not once ever primed a water pump. Good question tho.

I have heard of people getting a pocket and having to burp a system, but it’s never happened to me.

Good luck on the project and keep us posted. Merry Christmas!

 

[ChuckN]

As far as a humming/whining noise, could be. I’ve had them groan, squeak and every sort of sound.

A whining sound could be more indicative of something with gears- like a steering pump. I suppose it could be timing gears but I’ve had ones that were completely shot and didn’t make any whining sound.

 

[Mango]

@ChuckN Could be Steering pump! Replaced the gearbox From Rock Auto. Reman and steering was very stiff hard to turn would not return to center, Pulled it out and installed a Redhead Box Better but not perfect and it failed clicking snapping sound? Got a warranty box from redhead same make me think the pump may have some issues.

 

[RustyPile]

First, no, the water pump does not ever need to be primed. Stop guessing at the problem. That's the last thing you want to do.. Here's a list of possible sources for the noise... Alternator, P/S pump, water pump, AC compressor if equipped, A.I.R. pump if equipped, and idler pulley if equipped.. And just about anything else driven by a belt.

Here's the procedure for isolating the source.. Remove the belts, one at a time and run the engine after each removal.. When the belt is removed from the item that's making the noise, the noise will no longer be heard.....

 

[Mango]

@RustyPile, Thanks only one belt No AC, No A.I.R. pump New Idler Pulley replaced last week just the pulley not the tensioner, Used a Mechanics Stethoscope the humming whining was not happening very intermittent, Really loud when very cold outside at startup

 

[RustyPile]

@RustyPile, Thanks only one belt No AC, No A.I.R. pump New Idler Pulley replaced last week just the pulley not the tensioner, Used a Mechanics Stethoscope the humming whining was not happening very intermittent, Really loud when very cold outside at startup

Does this mean you have a serpentine belt system?? It's normal to assume the new items are not the source, but do not arbitrarily rule them out. Unless the idler pulley was replaced in an attempt to cure the noise, it should not be ruled out... If the noise is more prevalent when cold, then don't wait for things to get warm before the check.. Do the stethoscope check when things are cold.

 

[Mango]

@RustyPile yes one serpentine belt will check when cold start, i can also hear it while driving in town 25 mph etc

 

[pduffyd]

I put a gm serpentine kit on my 350 v8. All was great until the rear bearing on my alternator cs130 quit. The alternator is a reman in the GM performance 12497698 kit, and the rear bearing is too small in the stock 105A cs130. But that squeal was there all the time and got worse with rpm. I replaced it with an after market Altenator.

 

[Average Joe]

I never had to prime a water pump. Mostly working on my hot rods. I have found it best to burp the cooling system while jacking up the front end of my cars as far as I can. Making the radiator the highest possible point for air to escape. I only ever had bad experiences with wrong casted Edelbrock SBF water pumps.
I still recommend always jacking up the front end and burping the systems well. JMO.