2006 S60 2.5T sounds like a garbage truck when started in extreme cold!

[Scruffy]

Hi, so around here we're having some very cold (-25c) temperatures, after a relatively mild winter so far. Anyway, yesterday I started my car after it had been sitting all night at these temperatures, and holy crap, the noise! It sounded pretty much exactly like a garbage or recycling truck. You know the sound; it's the noise made by the pto driven hydraulic pump that runs the equipment.

Anyway, I've never heard it make that noise before. It was rpm dependent and changed slightly when I turned the wheel. It went away after the engine warmed up a bit (about 15 minutes). Of course, this could be just as a result of engine load and rpms. I'm thinking it's PS pump noise due to the type and quality of sound.

Anybody else encounter this? The PS fluid is at a good level and colour when I checked last week. It's CHF 11 or equivalent.

Thanks everyone!

[cn90]

Engine oil: is it standard or synthetic?

[Scruffy]

Engine oil: is it standard or synthetic?

Full synthetic 5w30 always. Last changed about 5 months and 4000km ago

[Blacklab467]

I’m leaning towards the PS pump, I believe there was a reservoir update that addressed the fluid pick up tube that would crack and let air in and cause the pump to cavitate if memory serves correct. The low temperature may have exacerbated this issue in your car or the fluid level may be ever so slightly low.

[jonesg]

Hi, so around here we're having some very cold (-25c) temperatures, after a relatively mild winter so far. Anyway, yesterday I started my car after it had been sitting all night at these temperatures, and holy crap, the noise! It sounded pretty much exactly like a garbage or recycling truck. You know the sound; it's the noise made by the pto driven hydraulic pump that runs the equipment.

Anyway, I've never heard it make that noise before. It was rpm dependent and changed slightly when I turned the wheel. It went away after the engine warmed up a bit (about 15 minutes). Of course, this could be just as a result of engine load and rpms. I'm thinking it's PS pump noise due to the type and quality of sound.

Anybody else encounter this? The PS fluid is at a good level and colour when I checked last week. It's CHF 11 or equivalent.

Thanks everyone!

yep same, northern maine checking in here, same temp minus -20F.
Slow cranking, everything rattling , slow gear shifting.

Sunday is blizzard warnings, monday will be 30F above. 50 degree swing.
Some people use oil heaters.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/KAT1520 ... lsrc=aw.ds&

[BlackBart]

Machines don’t like -25, even when there’s nothing wrong with them. I try to avoid abusing them when it’s like that, or use a block heater.

Never use the parking brake when it’s that cold. Don’t lock the car. Don’t roll a window down. Avoid touching plastic levers or switches. If you have to start it, warm it up and crawl away slowly to give the transmission a chance.

[scot850]

We have block heaters and if they aren't on the car when bought you can get sticky heater pads for the oil pan that can be plugged in to warm the oil. Some do both as the Volvo block heater is ok but sits on the outside of the block but is not near any oil but is near water jacket.

Then you can add a heated battery blanket and finally remote start. Just remember to switch the heater system to defrost before exiting the car.

Neil.

[abscate]

Classic cold weather PS startup. Let that car have 3-5 minutes before you move the steering wheel to warm that ATF up a bit

[Krons]

No noise but at -3F/-19C this week my 08 S60 2.5T wasn’t happy to wake either. Noticed the power steering was very sluggish…agree with others some time to warm up is key.

[Scruffy]

Thanks everybody, you've pretty much confirmed my suspicions. You've also helped put my mind at ease. The temperature has now warmed up to a balmy -2c, so hopefully my car will be a little happier. Next time it's really cold, I'll definitely give it 5 minutes to warm up