Have a 2001 Grand Caravan - 60,000 Miles. Getting colder here the last few weeks and notice a loud whinning noise coming from the right side of engine when first starting up in the morning. If you step on the gas, it gets faster and louder. Lasts for about a minute then goes away. Doesn't happen for the rest of the day or night when starting up car to go home. Any suggestions?

 

My guess is the serpentine belt...sometimes it takes a bit for it to "warm" up. But I'm not sure if "whinning" is the same as a typical belt squeal.

If you do decide to change it out (which isn't that difficult to do...just a little bit of muscle and a 15 MM wrench...at least in a 98) I'd suggest going with a Goodyear gatorback belts since it reduces noise.

 

Which way facing right? Or better to say drivers side or passenger. If it is from the drivers side, it may be the transmission. I had fluid in mine that was too old and burnt that caused the trans to scream when it was started in the winter. I flushed it using the cooling hoses for the trans and it made it all better. If it it that kind of high pitched screaming/squealing constant I would check the fluid. (note: I'm not going to cause any trans worry on this one because my trans was perfectly fine after the low pressure flush even after a few months of this noise going on.)

If it is in fact the passenger side, then belt/tensioner is the place to start at. It is recommended to at least make sure the tensioner is in good order when replacing the belt.

 

Sorry - Pass. side. I will check out the belt and tensioner in the next couple of days. Expecting rain tonight and tomorrow. It's does'nt sound like a squeaking noise. Almost sounds like when you turn the steering wheel and the power steering pump is bad that whinning noise you get, imagine that louder and higher pitched. Hope this makes more sense.

 

It very well could be the power steering pump. Or alternator bearings, or anything that is connected to the serpentine belt. But at least you know where to start.