Thanks in advance.
My wife's 97 Gr Caravan ES (3.8) squeaks badly after a cold start. Calms down after several minutes and idles quiet. Not an audible issue when driving.

Would this be a bad serpentine? Or water pump replacement time? Or...?

THANKS

Steve

Welcome aboard. Tough to say when they are all dependent on each other. Sure this isn't power steering related? That's the usual problem. If so, drain the PS reservoir with a turkey baster and refill. See if that helps. Could be the serp belt. Could be the tensioner pulley that is supposed to take the slack out of the belt. It's towards the back and should bounce slightly as the belt rotates around it.

One way to pinpoint a noise is with a mechanics stethoscope - $20 and less at many parts stores. In a pinch you could cup one end of a short piece of garden hose to your ear or do the same with a long screw driver. Just be exteremly carefull around those moving parts. No baggy shirt sleeves, tie up your hair if need be and think before you make a move.

Thanks. Will try PS fluid refill and give a listen per suggestion

I did not mention it's been leaking a drip at a time (little more than that actually) oily reddish fluid at front. Have checked levels and haven't run outta anything...That sound like PS related ?

If its a glazed belt you can check this out by getting a spray bottle and fill it with water and when its squeeling spray the belt with water and see if the sound changes , if not then its not the belt and it could be a tensioner with a bearing that is getting dry .

A friend's Voyager 3.3 had a squealing Tensioner Pulley. I tried spraying some spray lube into it and that made it louder!