After further inspection... I had a friend come over and help with the groan inspection, one to man the headlight switch while I use the scope. I noticed the pulley on the water pump to be wobbling like its bent slightly. It is enough to notice but its not making the belt jump. I placed the scope on the water pump housing and the groan seems to be coming from the water pump as its louder then when I place it on the alternator. Or its just making it sound like its the water pump pulley and its really the alternator-either way I need to do this maintenance.

I think my game plan is to do my coolant maintenance now instead of waiting until summer like I was planning. Replace water pump, pulley, t-stat, coolant and both hoses. If the noise is still there then move on to the alternator.

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1999 E300 TD 190,000
1996 Passat TDI 225,000-sold
1996 E300 120,000-sold
1998 Jetta TDI 186,000 -sold
1983 Chev Suburban C20 6.2-sold