'98 Pontiac Sunfire... strange grindand squelching sounds from engine on startup.

Also, I suppose it's worth noting that I recently had it serviced and the oil changed (synthetic), and it was doing it before and it's still doing it after.

since "serviced" is a 100% ambiguous term, no, that doesn't help. The first thing I do when diagnosing an engine noise, is to remove the serpentine belt and see if the noise goes away. If it does, I spin all the accessory pulleys by hand and see if something feels wrong. After that the mechanic stethoscope comes out of by box. If this isn't stuff you can do, take the car in.

There is usually a very short time between noise and total failure. GW

Thanks for the reply; just 'feeling' my way about and was curious if this was at all something that as happened a lot to other Sunfires. I frequented the Toyota Pickup group back in the day, and just by some basic symptoms by the poster, some people were able to see it as all on-target for a failure that most Toyota Pickups suffer or have a tendency towards- thanks for the help though.

At almost ten years old (we're in the 2007 model year), you are looking at problems that every car has, not just 1998 Sunfires. But that's a profession mechanic's opinion, not a 'net conspircist.

GW

Follow-up: Brought it in and apparently it's the water pump seizing up. People are charging $550 for parts and labor.

My 2001 Sunfire needed a new water pump on Wednesday - $731 total - ouchie.