Well I've been noticing an odd sound at times, and while letting the car idle I stick my head around and it seems to sound like my water pump (which is literally 1 month old) is making some medium pitch "wurring" type noise...there'* no leaking, and the flow seems just fine, temps are right on target. Should I worry, what else should I look for? Reason I ask is I am going on a good road trip next week. The waterpump is a new "Duralast" from Autozone with lifetime warranty. I can deal with the sound, I just worry about total failure. Hell even my new blower fan likes to make a high pitch screeching noise when set at medium for a little bit then it goes away, but it works fine compared to the old one which shut off when it wanted too. I am hoping the water pump is the same, someone who didn't know the car might even mistake this for normal noise, that'* how subtle it is. Some gear head/professional feedback would be greatly appreciated

is your resevoir tank staying full?

Best way to isolate the sound and ensure which part is bad is to get a stethescope. ~$14 at Sears IIRC. Then you can listen to each and determine if the issue is a pulley, power steering, alternator or water pump.

Pulley noises can be hard to nail down. What I do to determine which pulley is squealing is find a dowel rod 3 - 4' long. 3/4" thick will do. Start the engine and CAREFULLY place the end of the dowel rod on the housing of each pulley, but be sure to NOT interfere the dowel rod with the moving pulley or belt. Put your ear up to the other end of the dowel rod. Do that on each pulley housing until you find the "talker".

Once your positive which one it is, report back.

IMO, if any are making noise, that'* not a good sign. I would fix it before a long trip. When a car makes weird noises, that'* like a cry for "help"!

Well guys, thank you for all the advice. Also the reserve tank is stable in fluid level. It seems my first look was wrong the noise is higher up on the accessory belt, such as the tensioner. There'* no movement in it so I was told by a friend to keep an eye out and just continue on. The alternator is the only other possible suspect and it'* fine, also you can pretty much tell it'* the tensioner. After the trip i'll look into it a bit more and see what it needs if something does go wrong. The noise is so faint it'* the same volume as the motor idling, which you all know is pretty quiet with a series 2. Thanks again everyone, I'll definitely use the advice to figure things out better!

If you’re sure it’* the tensioner, you may want to just buy one (or at least the pulley) and throw it in the trunk with some tools - just in case.

I did that once thinking it should make the trip and I can just change it in a parking lot somewhere if I get a chance. It was making the same sound that I had on other car and that one lasted a month or two before it got real bad - so I thought I was safe.
WRONG – only made it about 30 miles. Since I was prepared though, it didn't create a problem (other than getting Wife pissed off! )

So uhm, replacing the pulley will fix it or would i need the entire tensioner? it'* not moving at all during rev or idle so my friend told me something to the effect of its just a bearing? and that the springs for the tensioner are fine...

try to loosen the tensioner.. does it feel floppy, or sicky? time for a new one...

pulley'* are cheap, i'd try that if you find the tensioner is in good working order

One more quick question, my lovely GM service shop manuals don't seem to tell me this...

How do I remove and replace the pulley, and what tools are needed?

Thanks guys!

probably a 15mm wrench or a T50 torx drive