If the water pump is rough turning it by hand , not a good sign.
It probably is needing a new water pump.
Did you also spin the alternator by hand while the belt was off ?
I commonly find loose/worn alternator bearings, so always gotta check that.
It's a very fun job, changing a waterboxer water pump in situ.
Scott
www.turbovans.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Michael Elliott
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 6:11 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Failing water pump?

Jeez, if it's not one thing, it's another. There's this nice new sound
coming from the engine, just about where the water pump is. A low-pitched
grinding or growling sound that fades in and out. With the belt removed,
the sound does not happen. Water pump pulley does not rotate real
smoothly. Symptoms of a failing water pump? Fix quickee-quickee?
--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
KG6RCR