When I first start my car a squealing sound comes from the engine, for a few seconds then stops. Besides a belt, what else could make it squeal? Should I take it to a mechanic?

When you start the engine the alternator is trying to bust it's hump to recharge the battery. If your alternator belt is the least bit loose it will chirp or squeal. Could be a worn out belt or the belt tensioner is not doing it's job

Without actually hearing it, I can't say whether it's the usual minor squeak or something worse. Normally, on start-up, almost all of the oil in in the pan, so you may hear a little metal-on-metal.

Occasionally, my cars have made more than a little squeal though, and it's usually been either a belt or lubrication issue. Once was after my car leaked a quart of oil after sitting for a few days. Once was after blowing over a quart of gas into my oil pan, causing a few other problems too. And once was when I was a bit overdue for an oil change; old, broken-down oil doesn't lubricate.

If you get fresh oil, enough of it, and new, properly tensioned belts and it still does that, then get it looked at. If nothing else, you'll be buying a little peace of mind.

If its a Ford its most probably the water pump needs changing.

Maybe it is your water pump or alternator and when u go to start it one of them locks up for a little then it goes away or your water pump is bent a little inside by the fan looking thing in it and it grinds against something for a little.

it could be the power steering. if you put in a new one, it will still squeal. it is probably a loose belt.

It could be the power steering pump. My car does the same thing, and that's what is wrong with my car.

My car did this. It was the radiator fan belt. It needed tightening. I know you wrote "besides a belt', but this is what it was.

This will fix it:

http://www.amazon.com/AGS-Belt-Ease-Belt-Dressing-aerosol/dp/B000IID44S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1232330664&sr=1-1

Just open the hood and spray it on the belts when the engine is running. Spray it on the inside of the belt rather than the outside.

You can find this at almost every auto parts store.

It could be anything that turns in an engine,the idler pulleys,the water pump,the alternator,power steering pump,the heater core's fan.

I would think that the belt is worn,but a mechanic would be able to tell you the exact thing,they can check the alternator for amperage output,check the coolant for debris and level,oil for any mixes or necessity to change,power steering pump for level,all the tension on the pulleys and how old the belt is(especially if it is a serpentine style belt.)

I have the same problem with my car. It starts squealing intermittently and may go away after a few seconds but can also last as long as two or three minutes. The mechanic (new one as I just moved) said the problem is due to the front, left and rear engine mounts being worn out. Is he right?