Water Pump?????

[illumin]

Got a weird noise when engine is running - a kind of high pitched noise, makes the car sound a bit like an old diesel! Am I right in thinking this is the water pump bearings, or could it be something else? Definitely coming from that side of the engine. No overheating, no water loss though. Could it just be the fan belt? Doesn't seem to affect the running at all so bit puzzled.....................

[Rain]

is it continous or only at idle?

[illumin]

continous noise, drowned out by music and exhaust when driving....................

[Bazzer]

Does it change pitch with the revs? My alternator bearings started scarrrreeeeeeemmming once in the mk2 so I changed them for £1.28.

[illumin]

No pitch change, really difficult to describe tbh - probably get it checked out at a garage at some point............Thanks for the ideas though.................

[rubjonny]

Take the alternator belt off and run it very briefly, if the noise goes its either the pump or alternator.  If it doesn't its likely to be the timing belt tensioner, if so replace it ASAP as it will eventually sieze & snap your timing belt.

If it turns out to be the pump or alternator, turn each pulley by hand and see if you can feel any stiffness or rough spots, if so replace the affected part