For the last month I've been getting a squeal sound like there is a pully with a bad bearing, on cold startup in the mornings. It only lasts for 1/2 a second as she revs for the first time in the morning.

Once before that, about 2 months ago, one morning after a night on the piss, I thought the steering felt really heavy when I started it.
It went normal really quickly and I thought it was my imagination.

Well it happened again last week for longer. Steering heavy, no power steering. Then the enigne made a low noise and the steering came to life again.
Then it happened again yesterday. Again no power steering, backed out of the drive and the steering weighed a ton. Then she kicked back into life again.

On top of that, the idle is noisy and lumpy like it's missing a bit, steering wheel vibrates. But the idle has been noisy for a couple of years.

Does that sound like the pump to you guys?

loose belt may be causing the squeeling

The belts fairly new, but it sounds like a bad bearing noise. Idler pullys and water pump ghave been replaced recently.

turn your wheel one way to full lock.. if it squeals then the belt needs to be tentioned more..

Doesn't sqeal.

The symptoms are like when our idler pulley bearing froze, but if it has been replaced it could be your pump snatching (momentary seizing}. In which case there could be some destruction of the drive belt surface, chips & brittleness etc. Snatching of the idler or pump can cause the engine to run rough, warm and of course use more fuel. The closer to total seizure the greater the effects.
Paul

Thanks. Makes sense.