Should I be able to hear my turbo whistle ?

[SteveB]

Had a great day at Castle Combe, even blew out a few cobwebs on lunch time parade. My question is, on my way home I thought my turbo maybe had more whistle than I remember, may be imagining it though. Every thing seems to work as it should boost gauge doing all the right things and car seems to go ok. Am I going mad, can you all hear your turbos, is that normal ? Perhaps the fresh air just cleared the wax out my ears, or could I have a small air leak I wonder. Any thoughts appreciated, Steve

[tweetdriver63]

I've heard it a couple of times and it was due to the intake pipe going to the intake plenum not being completely sealed/secure. Maybe check that?

[muley]

[theelanman]

Should I be able to hear my turbo whistle ?


depends what the tune is?.....

[HJ2]

I can hear mine.

But it is mainly the intake hose (Induction) that causes the noise.
It is properly sealed though.

Other cars I have driven sound similar. You can also hear the turbo chatter when you shift. (or better: close the throttle body)

[SteveB]

Thanks for the feedback. I have checked all the pipes visible under the bonnet, can't see any problems. When I get a moment I will get the front up in the air and check the intercooler and pipes. Is there a way to check an intercooler ? The problem is as I only get the whistle when the turbo is running I can't have my head under the bonnet and listen. I wonder if there is a way to pressure or vacume test the system ? I will report back when I have looked under.

[rip]

The problem is as I only get the whistle when the turbo is running I can't have my head under the bonnet and listen. I wonder if there is a way to pressure or vacume test the system ? I will report back when I have looked under.

It is just possible to run the turbo for a split second when idling if you rev the engine very sharply. It will be too brief though: The turbo starts to spool just before you run out of revs. Probably not long enough for you to track down the whistle, even after several attempts.
The other way is to use a rolling road to provide a load.

[GeoffSmith]

Thanks for the feedback. I have checked all the pipes visible under the bonnet, can't see any problems. When I get a moment I will get the front up in the air and check the intercooler and pipes. Is there a way to check an intercooler ? The problem is as I only get the whistle when the turbo is running I can't have my head under the bonnet and listen. I wonder if there is a way to pressure or vacume test the system ? I will report back when I have looked under.

I took the inlet pipe off the filter and blew to help find my leak Steve. Make sue you look in a mirror when you're done as I ended up looked like Rafa Benitez.

[maz_r]

You might be able to use this ingenious 'test rig'?

http://wikilec.9600.org/index.php/Boost_leak

[GeoffSmith]

Shush you.
It's far more fun getting people to go for the Rafa look.

[maz_r]

I dunno, you try to be helpful and all that happens is you get hit over the head with a folding chair....charming

[SteveB]

Brilliant, the test using inner tube was exactly what I had thought may be possible, just couldn't think how. I still need to Google the Raffa look, sport not my specialty.

[rip]

sport not my specialty.

Not Geoff's either:- He's a Geordie