Marshall-
Having just replaced mine, the sound is still fresh in my mind.  The noise
is kind of a rattleing that at idle made me think someone swapped my engine
to a diesel.  It got remarkably loud, but never developed a wobble in the
belt wheel or leaked.  I think in fairness i drove over something on the way
to Las Vegas that flew up into it, damaging the bearing.  I did definately
knock the exhaust system apart with that stunt.  In the event this is your
problem, figure about $50 for the part (on my '87 anyway) and 2-3 hours
labor depending on whether or not you have a/c, power steering, etc.

Regards,

Scott Paddock
'87 Vanagon Wolfsburg "Rolf"
'93 Eurovan GL (getting new clutch this week)

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Marshall Ruskin
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 1999 5:04 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: What does a failing water pump sound like? (Q 1 of 2)

Hi Volks:

My Westy is working perfectly, but there is this sound that I cannot
identify. For those who know electronics, it sounds like "shot noise".

What does a bad water pump sound like? I have no cooling problems (yet) BTW.

Cheers!

Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy "Iron Igloo"
Founding Member of "Vanagon's Anonymous"