Upon startup I have an instant engine whine, the whine will increase with the RPM range. popped hood and it sounds like it is right under the air intake, alternator? pulley? Car has 57K- 2008 GT. No other issues, just this whining noise- sounds almost like it has a gear drive installed...

 

It's probably one of the idler pulleys. Take the belt off and spin each pulley to see which one is making noise

 

Do these tend to fail and are they difficult to swap, or once they whine is there further damage that has occured?

 

There is a TSB on the idler pulleys