Car turbo

I've recently bought a car that has a turbo. Can somebody tell me please what causes the 'whistle' that I can hear.

 

Assuming the whistle is only faint, then it is just the turbo itself spinning. They spin at an insane rate, so some very faint noise is normal, especially at the higher revs.

If the whistle is loud, it could be that one of the air hoses has a leak.

 

Thanks Clueless, I presume then this 'whistle' comes from the air dispersing?

 

Is it a performance car, or just a regular turbo?

If its a bit of a beast, it will have a 'dump valve', which is a little gadget meant to keep the turbo spinning nice and fast so as to reduce 'turbo lag'. A dump valve makes a loud pop/hiss/whistle when you change gear or drop the throttle suddenly. Unless you're a girl racer with your baseball cap on back to front, I'd hazard a guess its not that

If there is an almost permanent very quit whistle as you drive, more noticeable when you're giving it some welly, but it is not annoyingly loud, then its just the sound of the turbo spinning. The exhaust gases are routed into the turbo, making it spin rapidly, effectively driving a powerful air pump. It spins at a much higher RPM than your engine, so it whistles a bit. It should be barely audible, just like a little undertone almost lost in the engine noise.

If its loud, and you're not a girl racer in a heavily mod'ed car, then it is probably an air leak. A slight air leak will make a loud screechy/whistly noise as air under pressure escapes from failed seals in the various air hoses. If there is an air leak, you'll usually know about it through the performance (or lack of) of the car. If it is nice and responsive to drive, and 'feels' right, then probably just the faint and perfectly normal whirring noise of the turbo spinning.

 

Thanks again Clueless, now it makes sense. Unfortunately we sold our better car to downgrade (cheaper to run, with no income at mo), it's a 1200cc Clio. The turbo certainly gives it the extra power though when I need to give it welly. There is only a slight whistle as you say on harder acceleration.

John..........I wish it was, but it's neither new (well nearly new) or flashy.

 

Hi Sheal , I manufactured turbo components for over 20 years. It will probably be a Garrett turbo on the Cleo . They can be prone to a slight whistle but it could also be a hose leak. Best thing to do is turn the radio up and let someone have a look at it on its next major service.

 

Thanks Harry, we've only had it five weeks, but I'll be popping into the main dealer where we bought it for something else, so I'll have a word. It's not loud enough to bother me, I only noticed it recently because I had the window down and the car was 'working' going up hill.

 

Only time I noticed the Turbot whistling was going up the steep hill of dunster castle keep.

 

You've got fish on the brain Ziggy!

 

My turbo does the siren noise, I was convinced the Police were following me for months :-), then I entered an enclosed tunnel, yep it was me

Clio's are famous for owners (of the younger style) buying a wooden whistle for £20 that they stick in the exhaust, to give the impression to their mates of a "SERIOUS TURBO" Addition

I was wanting one for the Fiat Cinque Centro :-)

Jack McH

 

I don't need the whistle Jack. That probably says something about my age too.

 

Try driving it slower Sheal then maybe the whistle will stop