On a cold day when i start my van (86 auto tranny) i hear a high pitched
squeal for a few seconds or longer depending on how cold it is.  The van
starts fine, usually in a second or two but then i hear this loud high
pitched noise coming from the back of the van.  It usually lasts between 2
and 30 seconds depending on how cold it is out.  This morning it was 19F
and it did it for about 5 seconds.  One time when it was 0 F it did it for
about 30 seconds and I had to give it more than the usual amount of gas to
keep it running.

It is hard to tell if the sound is coming from the engine or tranny.  I
think my antifreeze is the right solution.  I am also running the oil that
the manual says to run in cold weather (10W-30 i think).  Any ideas?

Thanks for all the great replies on my heater blower squeal.  A lot of
people replied and they all said about the same thing:  The blower squeal
is a sign that the motor is about to die and the only way to replace
repair it is to remove the dash.

Thanks!

Andrew Fox
Ft. Collins, CO