The fan is clear of the shroud. Even with my stethoscope I still cant pin it down which is what irritates me the most. I really didn't mind replacing the "front of the engine" parts; at least I know they are good, and I believe I saved myself from water pump destruction. DUXTHE may be right, it may be the new water pump seal, but its just too coincidental that it did it before I changed over the pump and I don't like coincidence.