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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: MA1694 on 23 August 2022, 15:54

Title: Turbo whistle
Post by: MA1694 on 23 August 2022, 15:54
Noticed a whistling when accelerating hard from 3000-4500rpm yesterday, happens when cold or warm. No engine lights, no drop in performance. I'm hoping it's just a boost leak and not the beginning of the end of my turbo. Are the stock turbos known to fail? Car isn't mapped and mileage is approaching 130,000.
Title: Re: Turbo whistle
Post by: Bluto on 24 August 2022, 18:09
Probably worth getting your local VW garage to give it health check/visual inspection?   

Personally I've not heard of the turbos on stock Mk6 GTIs being a common weak point; other forum members may know more on this?

The turbo on mine had an oil leak at 160k miles.  Oil seal had failed. Have you noticed any oil leaks on the ground where your car is usually parked?
Title: Re: Turbo whistle
Post by: Snoopy on 24 August 2022, 18:56
Intake pipe from airbox the sensor can make it whistle. Check pipe sealing and maybe turn it alittle can stop the whistle. Also I'm assume you don't have an aftermarket intake as they cause a whistle under load as you discribe.
The diverter valve would be my first port of call. Its weak ive had a few over the past 10 years nd the diaphragm can split causing a whistle as you describe. Maybe remove it and check it.
Title: Re: Turbo whistle
Post by: MA1694 on 24 August 2022, 19:25
Thanks guys, i havent heard of turbo failures on mk5 and mk6’s to be honest. Although a earlier in the year i did have go replace the v band clamp on the turbo as it had broken.

I had a local garage take a quick look this morning he seemed to think it was the DV too but didnt put the car on the ramp. Offered a smoke test so i’ll get that done and check the DV too.
Title: Re: Turbo whistle
Post by: MA1694 on 25 August 2022, 08:55
I usually drive sedately especially since fuel costs increased but this morning decided to do a few 2nd and 3rd gear pulls. Bit of a cloud of smoke so I do wonder if the turbo itself is failing. Boost and performance seemed fine however.
Title: Re: Turbo whistle
Post by: MA1694 on 25 August 2022, 08:56
Probably worth getting your local VW garage to give it health check/visual inspection?   

Personally I've not heard of the turbos on stock Mk6 GTIs being a common weak point; other forum members may know more on this?

The turbo on mine had an oil leak at 160k miles.  Oil seal had failed. Have you noticed any oil leaks on the ground where your car is usually parked?

I'll keep an eye out for oil leaks. Did you have to replace the turbo then?
Title: Re: Turbo whistle
Post by: Bluto on 25 August 2022, 20:17
Yes, unfortunately my car needed a new turbo due to the oil seal failure it suffered.
Title: Re: Turbo whistle
Post by: MA1694 on 27 August 2022, 17:15
So the smoke test showed nothing in the engine bay. Had the car up on the ramps and driveshaft was covered in wet oil below the turbo. Oil was dripping seemingly from the turbo itself. I’m thinking to book it into vw for a diagnostic and see what they come back with. If they say the turbo is knackered i’ll just grab a used one. Local garages to me are hopeless at diagnosing and the nearest vw indy is an hour away.
Title: Re: Turbo whistle
Post by: Snoopy on 28 August 2022, 22:08
The oil feed pipe to the turbo is a known issue even when the cars were new. So could be that. Could also be the pcv pipe dripping down. Only way would be to clean the area and then follow the trail. That's if the oil feed pipe isn't split and squirring it everywhere.
Title: Re: Turbo whistle
Post by: MA1694 on 01 September 2022, 20:53
Had it up on the ramp and mechanic said it looks like its the rear pcv breather pipe. Ordered from TPS went back today to get it fitted only to find out the plastic/rubber pipe that connects the turbo to the large intake pipe was torn so easily slid off the turbo connection. Ordered that too so im hoping these are the causes of the whistle and oil leak. Lets see.
Title: Re: Turbo whistle
Post by: MA1694 on 13 September 2022, 11:15
Just an update, replaced the breather pipe and rubber turbo hose and the DV. Doesn't seem to be anymore oil leaking but the whistle/whine is still there when I floor it at 2000 revs. I've booked car in at another (and more costly) garage for a better diagnosis and pressure test.
Title: Re: Turbo whistle
Post by: Snoopy on 14 September 2022, 07:22
Irrc and ktgaz solved it for mine years ago. Were the air sensor is in the intake pipe its the air flow over it or something. It's why all aftermarket air intakes make this noise. If you google it it's posted all over with the mk6. If you try slightly loosening the intake pipe and moving it.mthen retighten see if that fixes it. Think that's what he did to mine 8 + years back and it stopped it on my standard car.
Title: Re: Turbo whistle
Post by: MA1694 on 25 September 2022, 11:18
I’ve found myself topping up the oil more frequently recently and had the car checked out by the independent specialist. They have come to the conclusion that a new turbo is needed as theres still oil leaking from the turbo and with the whine/whistle still there. They also did a compression test which came back as good with cylinders within tolerance. No oil deposits on the spark plugs either.