A3 2.0TDi 140 Siren noise from turbo??

DCW87

DCW87

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Hey,

I've not long since bought by 2.0tdi 140 a3 (06) and i've never driven a turbo diesel before so i have no idea how there supposed to sound, but mine makes a quiet siren like noise around 1400-2200rpm which sounds a bit like a police car. Now I've read up a little bit on the net and there seems to be a split oppinion as to whether this is normal for a tdi or if its the turbo about to go bang.

when i bought the car i checked with the previous garage that had sold it and they said that the turbo was replaced on the car (less than a year ago) so im hoping this is just a characteristic of this turbo model :S

I've got no loss of power whatsoever and everything else is superb....

*fingers crossed*

Thanks

DC
 
It shouldn't have that noise normally, I'm having my turbo replaced tomorrow because of the police siren noise (170 pd)

They are sensitive to the oil used, Audi put the wrong oil in mine so I've managed to get a new turbo out of them

I was the same as you (no loss of power etc) but the noise was getting annoying, if you can live with the noise there's every chance it will continue to run for ages
 
The A3's I've had and the others i've driven have all done this. My current A3 does it, if it's not broke then don't fit it mate.

Mine seems to be only when cold, first thing in a morning for example. As soon as it's been driven and warm i don't notice the noise.
 
I'll be honest, the noise is a little annoying but its only just above noticeable. I've read horror stories about it blowing up and causing serious damage to the engine, so although id be happy to just accept the noise of the tdi, i definitely want to be sure that its working correctly so i can put my mind at ease.

Is there anything else that this could be?

If i did have to put a new turbo in, could i use the one from the 170?
 
DCW87 said:
I wasnt aware of this, any recommendations for oil?
Click to expand...

any oil that meets 507.00 specifications will be suitable, the oil that VW uses is called Quantum Longlife 3

I think I remember seeing someone who had bolted on a 170 turbo

I happily admit I've got OCD when it comes to cars but the police siren definitely was not there when I bought it, 1 month after my Audi service it started making the noise

When my girlfriend (who is a technical ****** when it come to cars) says 'what's that siren noise?' I then knew it wasn't just my OCD!
 
Normally means the turbo is on the way out but I'm sure that plenty of people on here will make the comment that they have had the "siren noise" coming from their turbo's for years and had no issues!
 
the 'police siren' noise from the turbo usually is a sign of a turbo on its way out. i almost bought an A3 before getting my one that had that sound on it and its painfully annoying. take it to a garage to get a professional opinion.
my current car just makes a small 'dump valve' like sound when coming off the accelerator which is totally normal.
 
Yeah im going to get it diagnosed asap, i'll let you guys know how i get on. Spoke to a guy at the garage who said that it might be a hose thats connected to the turbo? I've not much experience when it comes to cars, is this something i could check myself or will i need to wait until i take it in?
 
DCW87 said:
Hey,

I've not long since bought by 2.0tdi 140 a3 (06) and i've never driven a turbo diesel before so i have no idea how there supposed to sound, but mine makes a quiet siren like noise around 1400-2200rpm which sounds a bit like a police car. Now I've read up a little bit on the net and there seems to be a split oppinion as to whether this is normal for a tdi or if its the turbo about to go bang.

when i bought the car i checked with the previous garage that had sold it and they said that the turbo was replaced on the car (less than a year ago) so im hoping this is just a characteristic of this turbo model :S

I've got no loss of power whatsoever and everything else is superb....

*fingers crossed*

Thanks

DC
Click to expand...

Mines the same - had the turbo replaced last year according to service history & receipts.

The garage I bought it from told me that a lot make that noise and it wasn't a problem - they even offered to let us drive all the other A3's they had on the forecourt, we took 2 of the diesels they had out (I was being majorly paranoid so took them up on it) and they were the same to varying degrees (1 was a 170 and a 140 like mine but about 2 years younger IIRC).

Tbh I don't even notice it unless I have no music on so as far as I'm concerned if its not causing any trouble I'll live with it.

Very interesting what cloughy says about the oil though - think i'll be trying the one mentioned when the service is due.
 
cloughy said:
It shouldn't have that noise normally, I'm having my turbo replaced tomorrow because of the police siren noise (170 pd)
Click to expand...

Hope it sorts it out for you mate, can you let me know how it goes? Have you had it diagnosed at all btw?
 
AllThatGlitters said:
Mines the same - had the turbo replaced last year according to service history & receipts.

The garage I bought it from told me that a lot make that noise and it wasn't a problem - they even offered to let us drive all the other A3's they had on the forecourt, we took 2 of the diesels they had out (I was being majorly paranoid so took them up on it) and they were the same to varying degrees (1 was a 170 and a 140 like mine but about 2 years younger IIRC).

Tbh I don't even notice it unless I have no music on so as far as I'm concerned if its not causing any trouble I'll live with it.

Very interesting what cloughy says about the oil though - think i'll be trying the one mentioned when the service is due.
Click to expand...

I've read that it can just be down to minor differences in the manufacturing of the turbo unit, if its been done in the last 12 months im hoping that this is just what it is? Have you noticed any increase in noise levels/change of pitch?

p.s. the blackout chrome grill is a great shout, got one on mine and it really sets it aside!
 
DCW87 said:
I've read that it can just be down to minor differences in the manufacturing of the turbo unit, if its been done in the last 12 months im hoping that this is just what it is? Have you noticed any increase in noise levels/change of pitch?

p.s. the blackout chrome grill is a great shout, got one on mine and it really sets it aside!
Click to expand...

Yeh mine was done last spring I think and I got the car in September - theres been no variation or change since I've had it so I'm gonna live & let live :)

Thanks! I can't wait to get cracking on actually doing the blacking out, just waiting for a bit of warmth - might be waiting a while at this rate haha
 
AllThatGlitters said:
Yeh mine was done last spring I think and I got the car in September - theres been no variation or change since I've had it so I'm gonna live & let live :)

Thanks! I can't wait to get cracking on actually doing the blacking out, just waiting for a bit of warmth - might be waiting a while at this rate haha
Click to expand...

sounds like it might be no cause of concern then?? Will let you know what the garage says anyway as it seems were both in a similar position!
 
DCW87 said:
sounds like it might be no cause of concern then?? Will let you know what the garage says anyway as it seems were both in a similar position!
Click to expand...

Let's hope not :happy:
Yeh that'd be interesting - thanks :icon_thumright:
 
DCW87 said:
Hope it sorts it out for you mate, can you let me know how it goes? Have you had it diagnosed at all btw?
Click to expand...

thanks mate, I'll report back tomorrow when the work is done, Audi said the turbo was ********, mind you that was before I slammed all the evidence of the oil mistake on their desk

I'd taken out an aftermarket warranty (3 months ago) just in case Audi weren't going to foot the bill but as they have I've cancelled the policy, the warranty company were all primed and ready to replace my turbo with a reconditioned one
 
wrong oil is a commn cause apparently nice to hear you getting one over on audi just a bit worrying they couldnt get it right
 
Had the noise since I've owned my 2.0TDI 140 (for about 40,000 miles) and the turbo hasn't blown.
I've driven a few of the VW Golf and A3 2.0TDI 140s we have in the company car pool and they all have the same noise to varying degrees from low to higher noises. None of them have ever had turbos replaced and some of them have had serious mileage put on them.

I'd be more worried about the cracked cylinder head on the BKD engine than a siren noise!! Now that was a pain in the 2 veg.
 
flying oyster said:
wrong oil is a commn cause apparently nice to hear you getting one over on audi just a bit worrying they couldnt get it right
Click to expand...

It definitely is!

Excuse my limited knowledge of car maintenance but ive just thought, Im having my cambelt replaced in a month of two anyway (im on 71k) and i may be wrong but isnt a large percentage of the cost of a turbo down to the labour? If i have my cambelt changed, whilst its apart does it easier, and ultimately cheaper for them to fit a new turbo? by the sound of things i dont think i need one done but I'm just wondering :)


also, can anyone recommend a good A3 140 2.0tdi maintenance thread, i need to learn about oil types, general up keep (i.e. filters etc.)....

thanks again!
 
cloughy said:
I'd taken out an aftermarket warranty (3 months ago) just in case Audi weren't going to foot the bill but as they have I've cancelled the policy, the warranty company were all primed and ready to replace my turbo with a reconditioned one
Click to expand...

How much was the policy mate?
 
the wooooo noise the turbo makes as it spools up is quite normal. if you can only just hear it from the drivers seat with the windows up then thats normal.
much louder than that and id say theres something not right.
if youve got no drop in power.... check all the air box and air filter is fitted correctly.
the noise doesnt nessasarily mean the turbo is going to implode.
might just be a slight jimp in one of the impeller fins from a foreign object, had this on a 320d bmw recently, only on removal did we see it. ofcourse this in itself may unbalance the turbo shaft and cause it to fail prematurly.
 
DCW87 said:
How much was the policy mate?
Click to expand...

£330 for 13 months, interest free I was paying £29/month, it included wear and tear (gocar was the company)

If you need service items like oil and filters this is a good site

http://www.vwspares.co.uk/
 
turbo was replaced yesterday including an oil change with longlife oil, the siren noise has now gone
 
cloughy said:
turbo was replaced yesterday including an oil change with longlife oil, the siren noise has now gone
Click to expand...

Cheers mate, I'm going to start with an Oil change alongside a turbo diagnosis and take it from there.
 
murran said:
the wooooo noise the turbo makes as it spools up is quite normal. if you can only just hear it from the drivers seat with the windows up then thats normal.
much louder than that and id say theres something not right.
if youve got no drop in power.... check all the air box and air filter is fitted correctly.
the noise doesnt nessasarily mean the turbo is going to implode.
might just be a slight jimp in one of the impeller fins from a foreign object, had this on a 320d bmw recently, only on removal did we see it. ofcourse this in itself may unbalance the turbo shaft and cause it to fail prematurly.
Click to expand...

Iv had my a3 for about 14 months now and have been interested in this turbo noise ever since my dad asked what the noise was it didn't do it when I bought it (I don't think) so I assume it just got worse over time

Then around 3 months Ago Mine started with the over boost problems due to "sticky vanes" so I tried to clean with various chemicals without removing the turbo with no success at all!

So I finally gave up and whilst I was away skiing last week left my car with the garage for a clean of the turbo cam belt mot and oil and filter service.

I went up to pay for the work today after picking the car up last night and he said that the impellers on the exhaust side had chips missing. Just like the quote above!
The variable vanes looked like they had bits of the vanes stuck to them.

So here is my thought I think the noise is caused by the chipped vanes and the metal speeds up the carbon build up and seizes the vanes .......

Another think what chips the vanes?

Any one shed any light?
 
I serviced mine when i bought it mate with siren noise then had to service again week after when i had the turbo reconed the siren noise has now gone.






DCW87:1504071 said:
cloughy said:
turbo was replaced yesterday including an oil change with longlife oil, the siren noise has now gone
Click to expand...

Cheers mate, I'm going to start with an Oil change alongside a turbo diagnosis and take it from there.
Click to expand...
 
Best way to test sticking broken vaines i was told was to put your foot down hard in third or fourth on a steep hill to put load on the turbo see if it will go into limp mode mine did
 
I have one that was removed from a golf after a hybrid upgrade iv cleaned internally and all impellers and bearings are sound if your interested pm me
 
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Cars under warranty so money for buying parts isn't an issue however the warranty does need to be a mechanical failure for them to pay out. They wouldn't pay out for over boosting would they?

Going to run some turbo cleaner through it to see if it unsticks the veins first.

Do most places simply replace the turbo due to over boosting?
 
smurfworth said:
Cars under warranty so money for buying parts isn't an issue however the warranty does need to be a mechanical failure for them to pay out. They wouldn't pay out for over boosting would they?

Going to run some turbo cleaner through it to see if it unsticks the veins first.

Do most places simply replace the turbo due to over boosting?
Click to expand...

If you have a Quattro I wouldn't even bother trying the prop shaft is in the way and its a pain in the **** to get off!!

If you just have a FWD There is a thread on here with a how to which is quite good
 
the cold air inlet to the turbo has a seal.

if this seal isnt perfect, it makes the siren noise.
but like loads of people have said , it doesnt affect performance
 
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