Whistling sound and lack of power?

[smashingguy]

I nearly went a whole week with the car running more or less okay.

Having recently had abs unit replaced as well as the master brake cylinder (less than 200 miles ago), the car has just begun to whistle on acceleration. Once I held the speed steady, the noise would be a alot quieter. I gave it a run yesterday and after about an hour I had a very obvious lack of power where I believe the turbo stopped working. I stopped the car and started it up again, and then all was back to normal (still the obvious whistling sound when accelerating).

There is no smoke on acceleration or loss of power (expect for the once as mentioned above). Because the noise happened so soon after the master brake cylinder was fitted, and the air pipe thingy attached to the turbo was removed, I guessed it might be a loose connection, but the mechanic looked underneath it yesterday when parked on my drive (not jacked up) and said it was fine.

Any suggestions appreciated (it's a 2007 140bhp tdi). It's almost a year ago that I bought it, and it's run okish for about a whole month in total. I am considering buying a simple fiesta that will hopefully work ok most of the time and won't need me to go overdrawn to fix it.

 

[Fishy]

Boost leak, check the pipes from the turbo down to the intercooler (undertray to be removed) then from the intercooler to the inlet manifold. My beat is that one of them has worked loose/popped off.

Fish

 

[smashingguy]

Fishy, Thanks for the info. I removed the pipes going into the turbo and also the pipes going into the intercooler and cleaned them up before putting them back, but no change I'm afraid. I am unsure how to check the pipes going into the inlet maniflod and what to look for, as it's hidden away, so any advice appreciated?

I got the wife to give the car a good rev up today whilst I stood behind it, and definately no smoke coming out the exhaust. When I rev the car whilst iit's standing the whistling/whirling noise is not very noticeable at all , but when I drive it and accelerate it's a different story. I should mention that the under trays have been off when I have been getting the noise, but when I first starting driving it without the under trays, there was no noise at all. so I can't see that now being responsible for such a noticeable noise on acceleration .

 

[Darron1823]

Mate bad news mines is doing exactly the same and my turbo has packed in. I found a video on YouTube and the guys car sounded exactly like mine a police siren behind you and his turbo was shot, seems quite common. My turbo is only 20 months old :-(

 

[smashingguy]

How long was yours doing the same before your turbo went?

 

[Darron1823]

The sound is the turbo packing in. I can't guarantee it right now, the car is going to the garage within the next few days but the signs ain't good. If the turbo is away I'm going for a hybrid from turbotechnics £550 +vat

 

[Darron1823]

Check this link http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=/&gl=GB#/watch?v=S0GEM_-NFmI

 

[smashingguy]

The youtube link isn't correct. Any other opinions/suggestions welcome, and if it needs the turbo sorted, is it somthing an average diyer can do. If it is a dodgey turbo, is it worth getting it reconditioned, and if so who is the best company to use?

 

[Darron1823]

Your best bet is getting it checked as if the turbo is away your risking heavy damage. I advised you earlier about YouTube, search whistling turbo. I mentioned turbotechnics at the top and there's loads in the business section on here. You would need a ramp to do the turbo but if you aren't experienced get someone who is or can at least help. At the end of the day I can only advise its your car.

 

[Pheo]

I swear my TDI turbo has got noiser (its always been noisy though) - is there a good way to tell with VAGCOM if you have turbo issues?

Need to think about finding someone to recondition the turbo in mine - bit worried about destroying the resale value by fitting a stronger unit, as the car then becomes modified (even if there is no intention to map it etc to gain extra performance!)

 

[greyfloppyhat]

is it just a matter of unbolting the turbo and sending it away to get it reconditioned? Mine is suffering from whistling too so this is going to be a possiblity, but I believe a boost leak can cause similar symptoms.

How much would a recon cost on average for this issue?

 

[Pheo]

Partially I'd like to get mine sorted because having an owl powered car being chased by police all the time is starting to get a bit annoying!

Need to find a garage in Mid-Sussex able to do the work as well...

 

[greyfloppyhat]

depending on how confident your feeling you could always buy a refurb kit and do it yourself, then send it to http://www.turborebuild.co.uk/p/option_page/5/ they will balance it for £50 delivered. That'd be the cheapest way to do it, probably cost £140 in all for a full refurb. Extra £40 there is for the innotec turbo cleaner kit, as the spools will need cleaning as these wont be replaced in the kit usually.

I'm considering doing this, but I want to see how much it would be to get it refurbed as it may only be the minimum as it could be the tinest thing wrong. COuld the noise not be caused by a boost leak somewhere? I'm being hopeful I dont need a new turbo

 

[greyfloppyhat]

was listening to the car today, and I have a feeling this may be coming from a leak at the ic/boost pipe join. I had it pop off a few months ago and it wouldnt surprise me if it had loosened a bit. I'll give it a check this weekend and let you know. Fingers crossed as I dont fancy buying a new turbo any time soon

 

[smashingguy]

If the turbo was faulty, wouldn't it also make whistling noise when it was revved up and once it reached a stable speed (as opposed to just whistling when accelerating)?

 

[xlray]

Hi.

My Altea XL suffered Turbo failure at 23000 miles. (140 2.0L BKD engine) Basically I did not thrash it enough and the turbo started sticking.

If you search for sticky turbo vanes or VNT turbo sticking, all will be revealed. There is a link somewhere on the net to a video of the problem.

The diagnostics will register an overboost in this situation. Turning off and on again will reset the limp mode. Some people say it can be fixed with a good thrash, there is cleaning stuff available.

Plenty of information on this forum or general internet.

Hope this helps

xlray

 

[greyfloppyhat]

If the turbo was faulty, wouldn't it also make whistling noise when it was revved up and once it reached a stable speed (as opposed to just whistling when accelerating)?

This would make sense, good point. Hence why I'm swaying more towards a boost leak, and from what my keen ears could detect it's coming from the troublesome join between boost pipe and IC. In my case at least. Sorry I just realised I'm completely hijacking your thread here, hopefully though we've the same issue, twice the chance of getting to the bottom of it

 

[Pheo]

Anyone got any photos of the location of the IC/Boost pipe for the 140 pd engine? Would be good to know what I am looking for!

 

[greyfloppyhat]

had the issue your thinking of a while back so posted this up for just such an occasion
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=324812&highlight=loss+power+black+smoke

This shows the boost to IC pipe, you can see the white cable ties I put on to get me home, and if you have a boost leak this will be the most likely place, but usually it pops clean off. However if there is a small leak, then the pressure would be lost and hence why it hasnt popped.

Jack the car up, remove the sump tray, and reattach with a jubilee clip etc. easy fix

hope this helps

PS. my engine bay is never this dirty anymore lol

 

[smashingguy]

Any updates?