Hi all newbie here

 Just looking at buying an 04 2.0 GT TDI from a VW dealers, really like the car has all the extra's and only 28,000 on the clock but have a question id really like help with please.

I've never owned a car with a turbo before and dont think ive been in many that have, but i took this one out for a test drive the other day and i know that turbo's make whistling noises but im not sure when they are supposed to.

When i was driving this one it seemed to make a noise when i think i took my foot off the gas or either when i gently put my foot back on the gas (cant remember now)
The noise was a kinda whistle kinda squeak (dest way i can describe) but it wasnt loud as was trying to listen hard for any noises when out on the test drive.
I mentioned this to the sales guy and he said that it was just the turbo. Then next day he called and told me the mechanic's had checked it out and said it was fine, just the turbo and that some you can hear slightly and some you cant.

Sorry for the long post guys but can any of you guys gimme some peace of mind that it all sounds ok? looking to pick it up next week and im v excited about it. Its a VW dealer so it comes with 12 months warranty

Thanks

hi,firstly welcome to the forum.

The turbo should cut in at 2,500 - 3,000 rpm and when it does you will in deed get a whistleing noise from the turbo its a little similar to the turbine on a jet engine only smaller, and a planes engine is by no means quiet. However there are some issues with the turbos through out the vw range, so much so that vw are,i believe, in legal proceedings with garrett(the company that manufactures the turbos.

 If you blip the throttle and you can here this whistle quite predominently below 2,500 rpm then the turbo is excessively noisey and if still in warranty should be replaced- we've done a lot of repalcements becuase of this.

hope this is of help. I f you are still unsure try road testing a couple of others just to compare

So are Vw not telling me the truth then? they tell me  its  fine

Hello Micky.

I think its probably OK. The turbos do seem to make different noises - when cold, mine makes an "owl" noise when spooling up. Previously, it got loud and turned into a "distant police car" noise, then started throwing lots of white smoke out of the exhaust - VW replaced the turbo. That was at 7000 miles.

If I "nail" mine and then back off quickly, the turbo makes a "chatter" noise a-la rally cars but I'm not bothered, it makes the power OK.

I, personally, would worry about it

 The one I've bought yesterday sounds exactly like that it's booked in to be checked on friday. got a feeling they will say it's normal?!!

unfortunately they might but I find it bizarre - I've had numerous courtesy cars from VW and none of them do it. I've also had numerous Audis and none of them do it. Friends of mine comment how loud the noise is but VW say nothing wrong. I'm not 100% that its a turbo noise though as the turbo spins alot faster than the noise ( if that makes sense )

I had my turbo checked over yesterday at VW. The techie said " VW issued a bulletin about noisy turbos. Due to the number of noisy turbos on the mk5 that have been replaced under warranty, VWy will no longer replace it UNLESS the car is suffering from a loss of power. Your car, whilst noisy does not appear to have any power issues, so VW will not replace the turbo under warranty". Hmmm

 Owl noises on mine from low revs (spooling up) and dump valve noises with the window down when boosting hard and foot off.  I think which are normal.

Yo folks,

Had a Golf 1.9TDi match since July 07. Done 32,000 miles so far. Just started hearing a whirring sound. Took it to dealership that bought it from and they told me that it sounded the same as another Golf TDi and said there's nothing wrong. It's still in warranty and by the sounds of it, they would replace it if there's been a loss in power.

Anyone know how they would prove that it hasn't suffered a loss in power...?

Replace the turbo that is, not the car...then again...hmmm!

jfh:

Anyone know how they would prove that it hasn't suffered a loss in power...?

they'll plug it into VAG-COM and obtain a power output figure from there