I agree, but, it seems to me that it isn't necessary to completely remove the water pump to perform this simple check.
  How about just removing the WP belt and checking for excessive binding or play in the shaft?  That should be sufficient to determine if replacement is necessary.

Mike B.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dave Mcneely 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 12:25 PM
  Subject: Re: To use Bars Leaks or not.....

  I reiterate, if you don't want a catastrophic water pump failure,
  replace the water pump.  No "leak stop" material, regardless of brand,
  is going to reverse or stop the water pump damage that is causing the
  leak there.  Internal parts are worn, and they will continue to wear
  until suddenly the pump seizes.  When it does, all hell will break
  loose.  If you remove the worn pump, and try to turn it by hand, you'll
  find that it turns with difficulty compared to a new pump, likely with a
  grinding feel when it turns.  Bearings, shaft, something is damaged.
  The leak is only a sign of internal wear.

  On Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 10:49 AM , B Feddish wrote:

  >>> I'll second Jeff's email. I had a mystery coolant loss in Dixie and
  >>> put
  > in 2 bottles of the Subaru Head Gasket Conditioner.  That was in the
  > spring
  > and the coolant level hasn't budged.  I'm starting to think that's the
  > way to go.
  >
  > Thanks everyone for replying on this.  hmmm where to find a Subaru
  > dealer
  > around here, I have 4 VW dealears nearby....
  >
  > Bryan