Thread: 300tdi turbo problems?

If you remove the intercooler hoses and block one end with your hand and press (seal) the other end on your mouth and blow into them, you will be able to detect any pin size holes that may be hard to see. The throttle variable whistle you describe sounds like a hole in the hoses. Alternatively there may be a pin size hole in the intercooler or the gasket as already stated.

Originally Posted by Michael2

If you remove the intercooler hoses and block one end with your hand and press (seal) the other end on your mouth and blow into them, you will be able to detect any pin size holes that may be hard to see. The throttle variable whistle you describe sounds like a hole in the hoses. Alternatively there may be a pin size hole in the intercooler or the gasket as already stated.

Is it worth checking the hose from the air inlet to the turbo? Or the metal pipe between the turbo and the intercooler?

Most likely a rubber hose issue but check all the joints.

Have to ask the obvious question here:
Are the mufflers still attached?
Ie. has a previous owner removed mufflers/resonators in search of more power?

reason why:
Brother bought a TD5 D2 recently and one of the previous owners had removed all mufflers and went with a straight through exhaust.
Turbo whistle was very loud, even at idle. Exhaust didn't seem all that loud by way of comparison, just made an annoying drone at cruising speeds(usually between 80-100). Above 100 wind/road noise started to take over as the primary noise source.

A few weeks ago, he got around to getting a muffler of some type fitted to the centre section of the exhaust(but still not the rear resonator).

Result was basically zero turbo whistle now.
Previously, the noise was very loud almost to the point where it could have appeared to be a problem.

As you haven't clearly defined what your interpretation of

an EXTREMELY loud high pitch turbo screem

... how loud roughly?
In my bro's D2, the turbo whistle pre muffler was the dominant noise from the engine at idle(with the bonnet down). Bonnet up and from the front, the diesel rattle was louder tho!
From the back of the car with engine idling, again the turbo whine was loudly audible from the tailpipe.

With a blip of the throttle, the noise seemed as follows:
loud turbo whilst dominant.
engine noise rattle would then take over as revs rose, and turbo whistle would then gain momentum.
For a very brief moment engine noises other than turbo whistle would drown out turbo whistle for a sec or two, but as the turbo spools up it would then take over the noise symphony again.

Now with the centre muffler fitted you have to try hard to listen for the turbo whistle.

I'm thinking that if it all happened after you cleaned out the intercooler, could the oil laden intercooler have acted as a noise dampener?
Have you checked mufflers and or exhaust system size(ie. does it look overly large).

Nah I'm fairly certain the exhaust hasnt been touched. I cant hear the noise at idle. Mainly under load above a certain RPM

Just going back and looking at the photos i took of the turbo the other day, just noticed that it seems damaged on the middle ring. Looks like theres a piece missing?

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