yup MY10 does it too. there have been a few other posts about it. nothing to worry about

 

^^ One potential difference here. You may not have the same engine as problem child. You have an XT which is the EJ25 series engine, problem child doesn't state what engine he has the 2011 could either have the same engine as you if he also has an XT or it will have the new FB25 engine if it is an NA.

If it is NA, there have been a few reports on this forum of members with the new engine making noise on cold start that appears to be timing chain related.

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/engine-clatter-86426/

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/cold-start-timing-chain-rattle-2011-dohc-86380/

 

My new 2011 non-turbo manual also rattles (cold or warm) around 2200 RPM if lightly loaded -- e.g., if just winding up and getting ready to shift into the next gear. Dealer says other manual tranny 2011 owners have complained of the same thing. I drove an auto 2011 and could maybe hear a bit of a similar rattle at the same RPM but nowhere near as loud -- can even feel it in the gas pedal. So, it's on record at the dealer, and we'll see. They said the engine is new to them, too (2011) and they're thinking it's a characteristic of the new engine/manual transmission combo. It's embarassing - sounds like dry lifters.s

 

You may want to check this thread:

Cold start timing chain rattle 2011 DOHC

although your problem seems to be of a different nature.

 

I have an 09 pzev N/A and its made valve train, piston slap noises since new. It always quiets down after about 30 sec, and when warmed up you can hardly hear it running the more I think about it the more I wonder.. :icon_rolleyes: could this noise at start up be inherent to all Subaru boxer motors just by design. My dealer also said this was normal the first few times I had it there for the noise. No problems so far but ive only got 18,000 on it so who knows.

 

PZEV is a gimmick and causes the noise



I have an 09 Outback Sport, it's an Impreza so it's identical to the Forester but not as big and boxy, and I have no piston slap or valve train noise on startup at all. It purrs like a kitten from very first startup even when very cold. My engine is not PZEV. I think PZEV is the culprit. It's a gimmick, really, the way they get the PZEV rating is by putting in a more expensive converted and leaning the engine fuel mix way down, which isn't good for the engine anyway. I didn't want PZEV as soon as I learned about it just being a gimmick to increase sales.

 

I have the PZEV and it purrs like kitten. I don't believe they offered these in WA in 2009. If I fill up with gas in Nevada it becomes an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle.
It's a combination of car and gas that is sold in certain states.