I missed the description of the sound until now .......'metallic squeal'.
if it's a squeal, one thinks of belts of course.
If it's the alternator/water pump that's
squealing.............commonly..........it'll squeal for a minute or two on
first firing up the engine, then stop........
as the battery needs less charging in a few minutes, and heat may make the
belt a bit less loose.

power steering belts like to squeal too, though not that often on vanagons
in my experience.
With any squealing belts.........first you think of belt tension, then belt
condition, then if it's the right size and type of belt, and finally the
pulleys themselves.
If whatever a belt drives is shot, of course..........that could be the real
problem.
Look to see if the alternator/water pump belt loose glazed, from slipping.
Same for PS belt.  AC too naturally.
Scott
turbovans

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Stevens" <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 9:09 AM
Subject: Re: Was Metallic sound when depressing the clutch---Now happens in
neutral when depressing accelerator

> "Now, I am starting to think it could be the water pump."
> I think you nailed it.
>
> bob