Whining when first started.....

[badger6]

98 Rodeo, 3.2, 2wd, 135 K. I have noticed a light tapping or clicking upon starting which seems to go away after about 30 secs to a minute. That has been going on for a couple years, so it seems normal to some extent on these things. The last couple mornings I have noticed a whining sound that goes up and down with the RPM, kinda like the whir of a weed eater string. The whining seems to go away after a minute or two. I been reading on here and I think it may be the idler pulley (top left above the belt tensioner). A couple hours later after it cooled, I pulled the belt off and the pulley turns but it sort of squeaks. I put the belt back on and started it up and the whine was not there, but the pulley (I think it was the pulley) was going squeak, squeak, squeak, like an old unbalanced washer or dryer. I read in the FAQ that the pulley usually squeaks when it's below freezing. Does the outside temp really matter, because it hasn't been cold here in a while. On a side note, I don't think the water pump, timing belt, or belt tensor have been replaced on this vehicle. Opinions ???

[fourwd1]

When a pulley gets bad enough temp isn't going to matter.
And at 135K, you really should replace that timing belt real soon.