Leon Cupra TDI high pitched whistle under acceleration

[BadgerMcLetcher]

Hey guys, sorry for my first post on this forum being a question, loitered on here for quite a while but can't find an answer.
Had my Leon for about a month now, and he's been going fine until Friday. Basically what happens is the turbo kicks in as usual around 1.5k rpm, everything seems ok. However when the RPM reaches about 2.5k+ a high pitched whistle comes in, higher and louder than the usual turbo noise. It only does this under load while accelerating, and as soon as I let off the pedal it disappears. There's no perceptable power loss, and no black smoke that I can see.
I've had a quick check for boost leaks in the usual place and found no loose pipes, but quite a lot of oil on the underside of the intercooler. Not sure on oil consumption- it hasn't dropped it or anything but am currently keeping my eye on it.

Edit: Just been out again and it can be heard much more clearly from the rear of the car, even when revving when stationary. Is this the dreaded turbo whine then?


Cheers in advance guys,
Badger

 

[p888uld]

has it been remapped or anything mate?

 

[akchappers]

I'd say you have a gas leak somewhere but is it definitely turbo whistle? Not a bearing on something going?
Ak

 

[MATTCR]

Hell yes. I love my turbo whistle.

If yours is considerbly louder (i.e you think you have a problem) then I can't help - but turbo whistle is normal on the TDI.

Record a sound clip

 

[RDS]

I would of thought it was a boost leak, tighten up all the hoses on the car mate.

edit. I stand corrected

 

[BadgerMcLetcher]

It's not been remapped as far as I know, and I'm pretty sure it's turbo related- it happens at that RPM whatever gear it is in, but as I said only when accelerating.
Had my mate take a vid when I was driving, just waiting for him to upload it. Also had him watch me drive off- he says the noise is very loud and distinct, and when I first launched it let off some white smoke (possibly bluey white).
Cheers again lads,
Badger

 

[MATTCR]

White smoke. Uh Oh.

Black is goooooood. White, not so.

 

[akchappers]

What he said!
Am I detecting overtones of water getting into the oil?
Ak

 

[BadgerMcLetcher]

Cheers for the replies guys, my mate's no longer sure what colour the smoke was, and hasn't sent me the vids
I'm hoping it's the cheap option (boost leak), but I'm not sure about the layout of the engine bay. Don't suppose there's a diagram anywhere to reference? Oh for a Haynes manual lol

 

[leonfrtdi150]

Hi, I have a Leon FR TDI 150 the same as yours and for the last month or 2 I have had the same noise which seems to have come from no where. When I had my car serviced the garage told me I had some oil leaking from near the turbo which they think could be a cracked or perished turbo gasket, which I suppose would make sense if air is getting through this? Could possibly be the noise. I haven't done anything about it yet but will keep an eye on it.

 

[BadgerMcLetcher]

Right, a quick update to this as I've solved the issue (figured it was worth the thread resurrection just to close it out): it was the back box.
When the old one literally fell off, the garage I went to didn't have the proper one to fit and so I had to put on a standard TDI unit. This was only a temporary measure.
Two years later I finally get around to doing something about it (a mufflerectomy as I couldn't find a replacement back box), and lo-and-behold, the noise is gone completely. Also not really any louder and I've regained some lost performance and economy, so a win all around. I guess the old one must have been too restrictive or something!