Noise when cold starting (-20 Degrees)
 

Started my X this morning (which was garage kept) and there was a loud noise that lasted about a second .... seems like it was maybe the PS pump. Anyone else experience this before ?

There's always some noise when engine starts cold. It disappears when the oil get pumped and does its job.

Mine makes a loud honk (not the horn) at the end of the starter engagement when it's really cold which I'm going to bet is either the starter or the CCV.

I'm not starting the X until I can get the battery charged and the temp is above freezing, not just above 0F.

This is the first time I heard it make this sound which almost sounded like a car with no PS fluid. Only lasted a second......other than that started right up.

hows your oil level?

Mine has done that the past couple mornings colder it is the longer it lasts but only a second or two. I'm pretty sure its the PS pump wining a little. I also noticed that it seemed the viscosity on my clutch fluid had gone up it felt much stiffer in the -15f cold than it normally does. It went back to normal after the engine bay warmed up some.

I'm not worried about it unless it keeps doing it when the temps get more reasonable.

If you haven't done so, the clutch fluid should be flushed when you flush your brakes as both the brakes and clutch master/slave cylinder use the same DOT4 brake fluid.

hate to say it, but it sounds like your starter motor is NOT disengaging fast enough after it turns the engine over and the engine catches. Its a solenoid issue.
I just replaced the starter on my 850 cause of same issue. I ignored it till one day it left me stranded in a parking lot cause it just would not start.

The fluid in the PS system is the same as in the automatic trans. ATF unlike milk and water contracts when it is cold and expand as it gets hot