Screaming noise from Turbo when on boost
 

Hi

I've got a ecutek'd wagon with a dual map (low/high boost) and I'm getting a screaming noise from the turbo when on full boost.

Part boost on the high/low map is fine and full throttle/boost on the low map used to be fine too but from time to time that's starting to scream too. In summary I get the screaming on full boost (high map) and occastionally on full boost (low map). Nothing at all on part throttle (low or high map).

Any ideas what the problem could be? If the turbo blades were knackered wouldn't this scream all the time?

Could it be an air leak? (though the scream sounds very mechanical!)?

Many thanks for any advice/thoughts!

Richard.

what turbo?? and whats is hitting peak boost?? it could be being over worked!!

The blades may be touching, I had this when the bearings went on one of my turbos and there was a lot of movement on the shaft.

Can you take the inlet pipe off enough to inspect the front of the turbo ?

VF35 - not sure the peak boost (for the low or high maps) - but it was a safe map by AndyF. Second hand turbo though - so might be on the way out.

Ah - that could make sense - as when on full boost the pressure/speed would make the shaft move more and the blades touch. And the play in the shaft is probably getting worse, which is why it's happening now when on full throttle/boost on the low boost map.

Not really done much under the bonnet before so not confident of taking the inlet pipe off (would the play in the shaft or damage to the blades be obvious?).

Meant to say before that it started to happen for the first time during a track day session - so the turbo was being pushed much more than usual.

Is it fixable (if that is the problem) or would it need a new turbo?

Cheers
Richard.

I've got the same thing on a VF30. Probably a week after the remap (running 1.35bar peak) it started screaming/whistling under higher boost. I found no air leaks and there are some old posts on here regarding the VF series and this kind of thing. Over 10,000 miles later it still does it and still runs fine.
Probably sounds like a supercharger if you're outside the car.
Kevin

How loud is yours Kevin? Mine makes a horrendous level of noise from inside the cabin. It's not in any way a whistling noise - it really does sound like the blades hitting something :freak3: But no loss of power and the car runs sweet enough.

Cheers
Richard.

dont see a prob with andy mapping it then, how old/mileage on the turbo i had a horn type noise on my old vf35 if i hit the loud peddle hard in say 4th but was ok if you changed up to 3rd to spool it quicker when removed it had a very little shaft play but no apparent blade contact remember vf turbos are not as strong as td's or garretts ect

Supposed to only have around 20k miles on it :wonder:

Sounds like it will need replacing (can they be fixed easily if a bearing has gone of the shaft has play?) - so probably best sourcing a replacement VF35 (to save another remap) and just biting the bullet. Ho hum... always more expense!

Cheers
Richard.

I enquired on overhaul kit for the VF but it requires a recore which is not really economically viable.
If you remove the inlet pipe as Dynamix says and try to lift the shaft up and down. Feel how the turbo spins when the shaft is in the centre and then when you lift and try to turn you will feel if it is touching the casing.

Hope this helps
Colin

btw - do this when the engine/turbo is cold :thumb:

Thanks guys :)