Please help I am stumped '98 issue-weird sound

[JenCel]

Okay my 98 3.8l in the mornings after sitting all night makes this noise when started in idle. It is a pump sort of sound. Like the pump is trying to pump something that is almost too low to pump if you know what I mean? Then after warming up for a few minutes suddenly the sound is gone. I have no CEL, and I have noticed that there is more of an exhaust smell again after driving. I saw a drop of oil coming off the back of the oil pan but nothing has fallen to the ground so far. After driving for a bit in the warm afternoon there is some vrey small amount of smoke coming from the hood I see it really thin. Is this all connected maybe or a bunch of problems? At first I thought power steering since my oil there is black and it makes a little grind noise when turning but this morning I got under the front a little and the noise is coming from dead center.

Thanks for help.

[wiswind]

Power steering fluid should be red....as the windstar uses transmission fluid....I think that the '98 uses Mercon in the power steering.
Not to be confused with Mercon V for the tranny.
Burned power steering fluid is common....and can cause a variety of noises....so it would be a good idea to flush it. Do a search on Power steering fluid for a few threads that give instructions on how to do it.
I would recommend Mobil 1 ATF....it is a synthetic...and should hold up well. It is readily available also (Autozone).

If oil drips onto an exhaust part it will smoke... (very possible as we have a dual exhaust with 2 catalytic converters....one of which is right under the oil pan........then it merges into one pipe)....

Check into the oil usage.....does the engine "use" oil?
Make sure that the oil is within the normal range on the dipstick....
Some brands of oil filters can cause engine noise at startup.