Bryan,

I dealt with this problem over the summer.  Was a tough job, but most of us
can do it ourselves.  There are many written things around, including the
archives, that were essential to self replacement of the water pump.

So,
- had it replaced 3 years ago by a shop, was around $400.00 total (must have
included the parts and new coolant).  I suspect that price would be a little
higher now 3.5 years later.
- replaced it myself in August, only cost was a couple of tools (maybe $20)
and coolant ($15.00) since I had the WP in my boxes of parts.  Took me
probably 6 hours as a WP replacement newbie, but everthing came out fine.

If you don't want to get greasy and twist your arms let a pro do it.

Even better, I suggest to loosen the alternator / belt and wiggle the water
pump pulley.  Mine was really loose and it would wiggle side to side.
However I had the scary noise for months beforehand, and it never failed
completely.  But then I had a good suspicion what was wrong and never went
far from home.

Roland

On Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 2:24 PM, B Feddish <bfeddish@netreach.net> wrote:

> Sooo. I'm going to assume that "grindy", "bearing sounding" noise I've been
> hearing all summer is my water pump. I've suspected it all along but
> wishful
> thinking kept me thinking my newly rebuilt engine was just around the
> corner. I picked up a new water pump at BD today when I was exhchaging my
> EV
> muffler. I still have some short distance camping trips this fall so should
> I'm deciding whether to just keep camping or replace the pump in the
> current
> engine even though the engine comes out in 2 months.  It appears to be a
> rediculously hard job to do myself and I'm not sure what a mechanic would
> charge and if it's worth it.
>
> Murphy's law will kick in now. Since I know about the pump and I'm ignoring
> it I know what could happen.
>
> Bryan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Mark Dearing
> Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 4:39 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: To use Bars Leaks or not.....
>
> In a message dated 9/16/2009 4:29:50 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> mbucchino@CHARTER.NET writes:
>
> 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.
>