Whine at cold start

Use a mechanic's stethoscope or a length of cooling hose to isolate where the noise is coming from. Could be a power steering pump. Have you ever replaced the power steering fluid?

If you think it could be the belt, spray plain water on it to see if that quiets it down, just as a diagnostic.



With that many miles, I'd replace the belts and any idlers or tensioners. You need to watch out for aftermarket tensioners, though. A good AutoZone name-brand belt (Gates or Dayco) will last.

Could be the tensioner or it could be the power steering pump too. I will say that I replaced my tensioner and belt and it quieted down my power steering pump. I also replaced the O-ring on the pump that was letting air in and making a whine constantly at varying levels.