The noise that we hear is mainly during the spin cycle. It sounds like a noisy bearing. It is most consistent when the water is pumping out. Sometime it stops, sometimes it continues but not as loud. I took the belt off and spun the water pump by hand and could feel an intermittent drag. After checking things over and looking at drawings, I think it's the water pump. I just want to make sure I'm properly diagnosing the issue before I spend money on parts. FYI - the belt needs to be replaced as well. There was a lot of black residue on the pulleys.