Strange Noise at Start?

No, no, no... It is NOT the brake booster/accumulator/assist charging up sound(s).

Is it easy to remove what looks like a plastic air inlet grill work outside below the windshield that the wiper posts poke through? Last winter I visited Portland, Oregon and the car was caught outside during a rather severe frozen rain storm. I'm wondering what there is to be seen under this grill? ...if it might somehow relate to the noise and of course if something like linkage could have been bend from working against the ice buildup when defrosting and clearing off the ice?

 

Yes, I agree. And since it right now isn't even occurring there may be better things to spend time on...