Low frequency noise from engine - Pulley System?

[socratic]

Has anyone experienced a low frequency noise from their engine that is sort of random in pitch (but generally low-pitched) and varies slightly in volume?

It sounds like when an old car of mine had a bad bearing in the shaft that drives water pump. The shaft eventually snapped off when I was driving, stranding me.

The diagnosis from the dealer is that it might be the "pulley system".

Has anyone heard of this problem or of the noise that I'm describing (rather poorly I might add)?

[socratic]

Gee, you just can't miss a day of 986Forum!

I had been on vacation and so the last time I read the forum was July 19.

Guess what thread was posted on July 19?:

Lost my idler pulley Fri.

This may indeed be my problem.

Should I stop driving it now? (Currently waiting for a "pulley system" to come into stock at the local dealer).