Can anybody else clearly hear the S/C water pump from inside the car or should I be thinking of a replacement?
Not audible above engine noise with the engine running.

 

I did not even know the S/C had a water pump, thanks!

 

It's down by the aircon reservoir under the air filter and runs all the time the ignition is on.

 

I do have a whirring sound that is really annoying and gets on my nerves. But I had assumed it was the power steering pump.

When I brought it in to the dealer, they said they removed the supercharger belt to help diagnose the noise, which confused me greatly since I had assumed it was the power steering system.

Now I'm really curious!

 

The best way to test noise is turn on the ignition without engine running. The I/C aux. pump runs when the ignition circuit is on. I can hear when the bonnet is open but cannot hear from inside the car. I have replaced the OEM Hella pump with a new Bosch a couple of years ago.

 

Yes, as I said the engine noise drowns it out but it is pretty noticeable with the engine off.
Doesn't sound rough, just audible.
Alan, if you get the whirr with the ignition on but no engine it could be the s/c coolant pump.
There's another pump/fan that aspirates passenger compartment air that some people complain about.

 

I do have the aspirator noise, but that's not the noise I was talking about. It's hard to believe that people complain about the noise of that aspirator. It's so quiet!

 

Stick your head under the bonnet, RH side and listen by the air filter.
Sounds a bit like a hair dryer on slow speed.

 

If you want to determine whether the impeller is jammed or not ... open the reservoir cap and check the level ... then turn key to position 2 ... the level should drop slightly with the pump on.

Do the above when the system is stone cold to avoid pushing coolant into the overflow tank when the cap is released.

 

It's definitely pumping but being a bit noisy about it.

BTW Love your new Avatar !!