esde

98 12 valve with hydroboost power steering was reluctant to start in the sub 20 degree weather this morning, and the power steering pump was especially noisy. Checked the fluid and it is slightly milky and aerated, was clean before. This is a new to me truck with a factory new steering box. The noise went away as the truck warmed up. Any things that I should rule out first? Is there a coolant to fluid exchanger that could be leaking? About the hard start, any ideas?

infidel

Milky usually means water.
No cooler for the PS system.
Was the engine washed recently?
I would change out the fluid ASAP with synthetic.

Hard start could be a number of things but it's normal in cold weather to give a little throttle when cranking.
Think it even says it on your visor.
If you don't give a little throttle in cold weather you can expect extended cranking unless your idle is turned up.

jnicewan

if its pink like pepto i would say its water, but if its just bubbly that can be normal in the super cold temps. actual power steering fluid has more resistance to aeration than atf. and good quality or synthetic is even better to prevent this.