High pitched squealing/whining after engine startup?

My car (1994 Geo Prizm) has started producing a really high pitched squeal/whine immediately after starting up my car. Seems to be slightly more pronounced if I'm turning the wheel to get out of a spot but almost immediately after I get underway (15-30 seconds after startup), it goes away. While I'm driving it doesn't make any sound at all...only at startup. And only when starting up after the engine has been cold. Bad belt? How much should I expect to pay if/when I take it into the shop?

Yep,  belt slipping

Is there a quick fix? If not, how much should I expect to pay to fix it? Is there any harm in driving around like this for a bit?

I only ask because I'm very likely going to be getting rid of the car in the next month or so. Trying to figure out if it's worth the money/time to fix.

is the belt spring tensioned or a secured tensioner?  it could just be that the belt has stretched a bit and needs to be retensioned.

A belt is fairly cheap, and easy to DIY. 

That said, if its a metal squeal/whine, you could be looking at an alternator or water pump.

It will likely get worse and eventually start to slip all the time or cause a belt failure.  If the belt is manually tensioned on that car it likely just needs to be tightened, although it's also possible the belt is worn out and needs replacement.  It's not going to be a major or expensive fix, so there's no excuse for not fixing it.  

I'll go get a quote this weekend. Unfortunately, don't have the means/tools to do it myself at the moment. 

Depending on how the belt is tensioned and what needs to be removed to get the belt on/off, it's quite possible that 1 or 2 box wrenches are the only tools required and it very well may only take a few minutes.  It would be worth taking a look at it and seeing if you can find a writeup for it before paying to have someone else fix it.  

There's a squeal when I start some of the cars at work but it's usually coming from me. 

You could try tightening the belt tension, but if it has been slipping for a bit, you may not be able to tighten it enough to stop it.

The real solution is to replace the belt.  The Prizm is a Toyota Corolla, so parts are fairly cheap and its easy to work on:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geo_Prizm

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/geo,1994,prizm,1.8l+l4,1141995,belt+drive,belt,8900

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwToiOO9EYg

Whomever gets the car after you will appreciate the new belt and lack of noise.

Yea, basically just a re-badged Toyota Corolla. It's been a great first car—that I ended up driving for 13 years. Definitely starting to show it's age though. And wasn't planning on reselling it. I'll be able to get $1000 for it from Cash for Clunkers which seems to be more than what they're currently going for. Shame cause it still runs great (belt issue aside).

I'll see if it's something I can fix by just tightening it up though.

Depending on where you live, unless it's really beat you can probably sell it for $1000 or a little over just on the basis of "it runs and drives"

Cash for Clunkers still exists?

Also, depending on where you live, you might be able to have someone from the forum help you out with the belt replacement. We're a generally helpful bunch. 

Located in Sacramento, CA. You're right though...couldn't hurt to throw up on Craigslist. Interior definitely leaves something to be desired but other than that, still runs great.

Double check the bearings on everything too.  My Impala has a squeak right now that sounds a lot like a belt squeak, but it's the bearing in the A/C pulley.  Even if if the bearing itself isn't making noise, it could be providing enough friction for the belt to squeak on it.

Be aware, though...  don't just grab things after a belt has been squeaking.  It can be hot enough to burn you.

A good way to diagnose exactly where the noise is coming from is by using a 3' piece of hose.  Any hose.  Stick one end near your ear and point the other end about an inch away from the belt, pulleys, bearings, etc.

BattlePope said:

I'll go get a quote this weekend. Unfortunately, don't have the means/tools to do it myself at the moment. 

If it’s a serpentine belt, it can usually be done with minimal tools.  

I know my big old truck will squeal right after it starts, especially if I have to crank it a couple times if it's been sitting awhile.  I know it's the alternator belt.  Not that easy to get it tight enough without a pry bar and a helper.

My money's on the alternator belt.  Do you know anyone that's a little mechanical that you could ask to help you with it?

If you hit hit up the on the road assist list at the top of the forum, you might be able to get it fixed and make a friend for the price of a pizza and beer.  I'd offer, but I'm in CT :)