"Owl/Siren Noise" how I eliminated it!!!! FIX!!!

[jamesmapplebeck]

2004 a3 2.0 TDI sport

Ok, so I had the dreaded "Owl/Siren Noise" from the turbo in between gear changes (no loss of power, no smoke at all)... I did a lot of reading on different forums about this. Some say the turbo is on its way out and some say its a poorly designed bracket on the down pipe what carries vibrations which turns into sound causing the owl/siren noise.

Anyways, last week I drove to see family which was 260 miles away and the car drove perfect all the way there, appart from the owl noise!. Weather was ****e and to be honest I got bored of staying in the house with nothing to do so perfect excuse to get out was to take my car to the local garage to get it checked out.

Mechanic got the Audi on the ramp and straight away found that the sleeve connecting the down pipe to middle section was corroded and slightly blowing, the guy was sound he charged me nothing for a new sleeve fitted

Got the car off the ramp took it for a spin and the Owl noise was gone!! Covered about 500 miles since and still no noise

Thought it would be worth letting you guys know how I got rid of my Owl/Siren noise and hopefully help a few out maybe save you a few ££££`s

 

[jimpa10]

Any pictures?

 

[Ron burgundy]

Hmmmm interesting....I'm thinking this was a howl type noise from the leak rather than the siren type noise that some turbos give...

 

[jamesmapplebeck]

Hmmmm interesting....I'm thinking this was a howl type noise from the leak rather than the siren type noise that some turbos give...

Hi mate.. when I first bought the car I took it to my local garage the mechanic drove my car and told me the owl noise is worn turbo bearings and a new turbo would be needed but with no smoke and no loss of power I thought there must be another explanation. Thanfully I didnt shell out for a new turbo

 

[jamesmapplebeck]

Any pictures?

Of my car? Or corroded sleeve?

 

[Ron burgundy]

Hi mate.. when I first bought the car I took it to my local garage the mechanic drove my car and told me the owl noise is worn turbo bearings and a new turbo would be needed but with no smoke and no loss of power I thought there must be another explanation. Thanfully I didnt shell out for a new turbo

Maybe it was never a turbo issue , I can't see how changing that would fix a turbo ...unless I'm missing something lol


Either way at least it's sorted

Edit: yes I am missing something sorry....it wasn't a turbo issue...doh

 

[jamesmapplebeck]

Definitely miss diagnosed maybe a few others out there with same prob see this b4 shelling out on a new turbo

 

[Ron burgundy]

Of my car? Or corroded sleeve?

I'd say the corroded sleeve , you could always put a pic up of your car and the sleeve

 

[jamesmapplebeck]

I'd say the corroded sleeve , you could always put a pic up of your car and the sleeve

Sorry mate didnt think to take pics of sleeve only car on the ramp. Ill get a pic uploaded when I figure out how lol

 

[max69vk]

The other thing to check is the clamp that holds the downpipe to turbo outlet, even the slightest bit of movement in this joint & it can whistle big time.

 

[Westy]

My car makes a fair bit of noise but I was led to believe that it was due to having a hybrid turbo with a straight through exhaust with no cat!

I'm getting my exhaust checked tomorrow anyway as the exhaust support bracket requires re welding so I'll ask them to check the rest of the system at the same time.

 

[Ron burgundy]

The other thing to check is the clamp that holds the downpipe to turbo outlet, even the slightest bit of movement in this joint & it can whistle big time.

I was just under my car and see the clamp, how would you check it though?

Also you the actuator , should that move when revving the car?

 

[max69vk]

It's easier to get to from the top & bolts up with a single Allen key bolt, just loosen it off & move it round so it's easier to access, then tighten it up while making sure its clamping the flanges together properly,

 

[Ron burgundy]

It's easier to get to from the top & bolts up with a single Allen key bolt, just loosen it off & move it round so it's easier to access, then tighten it up while making sure its clamping the flanges together properly,

Ok nice one .... I'll check that out and see what how it looks

Cheers for that

 

[jamesmapplebeck]

my audi

 

[Westy]

Just been to the garage. My system was all tight and it was my first real look at it. My owl noise must be due to the hybrid and straight through system.

I couldn't believe where the DV is on the 2.0 TDI

 

[Ron burgundy]

Just been to the garage. My system was all tight and it was my first real look at it. My owl noise must be due to the hybrid and straight through system.

I couldn't believe where the DV is on the 2.0 TDI

Has the smoke calmed down?

 

[Westy]

Has the smoke calmed down?

Nope. Mega smokey on first startup of the day then it clears. Must be a build up I oil where it's sitting. My guess is the boost hoses. I need to rob a bank to fund an S3 cooler and hard pipe kit.

 

[Ron burgundy]

Yeah maybe , I don't think oil would give off white smoke though?

I read that it could be unburnt fuel or something to do with the cylinder head .

 

[Westy]

Cylinder head Is a reasonably new refurbished unit after the old one suffered from the usual BKD porous issue.

Maybe it is a fuel thing. Only found out yesterday that the early diesels also suffered from the warm start issue due to fueling.

 

[Ron burgundy]

Cylinder head Is a reasonably new refurbished unit after the old one suffered from the usual BKD porous issue.

Maybe it is a fuel thing. Only found out yesterday that the early diesels also suffered from the warm start issue due to fueling.

Yeah I read something g similar yesterday, think it might of been 'tdi-man' who mentioned it..

I'm doing the mr muscle on the weekend...wish me luck ha

 

[SAiLO]

It would be interesting to find out exactly which pipe/sleeve was making your car noisy.

 

[Westy]

It would be interesting to find out exactly which pipe/sleeve was making your car noisy.

I think it's the one right on the turbo. Mine goes over the turbo outlet then has a bolt clamp to keep it tight. Bit poor really as most downpipes I've seen on other turbos bolt to the turbo with a gasket in between. But then again the turbo on the diesel is a lot smaller.

 

[jamesmapplebeck]

It would be interesting to find out exactly which pipe/sleeve was making your car noisy.

The sleeve making my car noisy was the sleeve connecting the down pipe and middle section

 

[dannyh1991uk]

This is great... Anyone know where to order one of these or a link for one without spending a lot of dollar? Lol

 

[SmithyAG]

I think it's the one right on the turbo. Mine goes over the turbo outlet then has a bolt clamp to keep it tight. Bit poor really as most downpipes I've seen on other turbos bolt to the turbo with a gasket in between. But then again the turbo on the diesel is a lot smaller.

The exhaust/turbo joint which is held together by the V band clamp that you mention should have a gasket. It's just a round one, but it is definitely there.

 

[Boon]

I couldn't believe where the DV is on the 2.0 TDI

Oh do tell