I have a 2001 Forester S-Turbo Auto which I am really impressed with, the only downside are the running costs. Insurance, Fuel consumption about 22mpg and servicing (just had the 30,000ml which included front pads and totalled £620 !)One thing I have noticed is a very intrusive whine from the turbo when the engine is cold despite driving gently. I mentioned this at the service (Cheam Motors) but they assure me this is normal. I have also noticed zips on the back of the front seats, can the covers be removed for cleaning ? Any thoughts, comments or tips would be appreciated !

 

620 quid! I hope they changed the cam belt for that money!!!

 

Nope!

 

Don't know about foresters but I presume it's the same as an Impreza.

I personnally don't get any noise from the turbo under about 2700 rpm. When first starting off I usually stay under that until everythings warmed up.

 

mentioned the same to the garage I go to about turbo whine when it spools up ..... the reply I got was that it was 'nothing to worry about, just means that one of the blades is a bit out of true'.

The car (WRX) is still going strong 25,000kms later so I'll take the guy's word for it.

Of course, your whine might be from a totally different cause ...

 

Thanks, I just wanted to check this was normal, I suppose I`ll just have to live with it. As I have just under a year of the manufacturers warranty left,I wanted to get any problems sorted as I intend keeping the Forester for a long time.
Any idea what sort of mileage I can expect out of the turbo before it gives up the ghost, and the replacement cost ?

 

Yep that noise is fine, my twin turbo when cold is almost twice as noisey as my single turbo and not just because it has two turbos vs one.

The noise is the cold dense air passing the impellas, when the engine gets hotter the air comming into the intake is also warmer (less dense) so you get less noise. Cars fitted with roller bearing turbos seem to be worse, because the turbos spool up faster and slightly earlier.

 

Thanks for that!