Turbo sounds like supercharger

**Audski** · 08-02-2019 08:27 AM

Hi all. Over the past few days I’ve noticed a really strange sound coming from the turbo while in the boost... it almost sounds like a supercharger to be honest. Can’t be good so I’m definitely going to get it looked at as soon as I can (closet dealer is 100+ miles away from me). Still produces boost fine. Only mod is an ECS intake. What do you guys think?

**HyperM3** · 08-02-2019 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by Audski

Hi all. Over the past few days I’ve noticed a really strange sound coming from the turbo while in the boost... it almost sounds like a supercharger to be honest. Can’t be good so I’m definitely going to get it looked at as soon as I can (closet dealer is 100+ miles away from me). Still produces boost fine. Only mod is an ECS intake. What do you guys think?

How many miles are on your car?

Yesterday was the first time since I got my car(3 weeks ago) that I was able to take it on a highway commute(70 miles each way). On the turnpike I was having a raucously good time going from 65-90+ in multiple spurts. When I was at these speeds at WOT, the noise coming from my car also sounded like a supercharger whine. To note, I have a JB4 on my car and unplugged the exhaust. I loved the sound but I need more noise! I think the supercharger sound is normal.

**Grngell** · 08-02-2019 08:41 AM

I have a '19 S4 as well. Same sound when under strong boost

**Audski** · 08-02-2019 08:42 AM

Only 19,000 miles. Just weird hearing that sound coming from a turbo is all

**richib86** · 08-02-2019 08:48 AM

Assuming it sounds like this, I have it too. But it only happens when ambient temps are in the 60-70 degree range. I haven’t noticed it with the heat. https://youtu.be/0U3lGniiogw

**will13k7** · 08-02-2019 10:01 AM

i just hear turbo spool and blow off, nothing remotely like SC whine at all. turbo bearing going? "When the boost is running, a failing turbo could make a loud whining noise."

**HyperM3** · 08-02-2019 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by will13k7

i just hear turbo spool and blow off, nothing remotely like SC whine at all. turbo bearing going? "When the boost is running, a failing turbo could make a loud whining noise."

I only have 400 miles on my car, I doubt my turbo bearing is failing already.

**Esmin23** · 08-02-2019 11:20 AM

Check your intake for a vac leak. I once had a similar issue on my ‘04 STi. Ended up having a loose coupling that created a similar sound.

**will13k7** · 08-02-2019 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by HyperM3

I only have 400 miles on my car, I doubt my turbo bearing is failing already.

likely not, but it could be DOA, always a chance.

**mobE** · 08-02-2019 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by will13k7

likely not, but it could be DOA, always a chance.

True, I've been told if they are going to fail it's most like right off the bat. I'm not sure how true that is though.

**HyperM3** · 08-02-2019 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by will13k7

likely not, but it could be DOA, always a chance.

Car doesnt feel slow yet, so I dont think its DOA.

**richib86** · 08-02-2019 12:40 PM

For me it started happening after installing an intercooler and charge pipes

**HurrayFive** · 08-02-2019 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by richib86

Assuming it sounds like this, I have it too. But it only happens when ambient temps are in the 60-70 degree range. I haven’t noticed it with the heat. https://youtu.be/0U3lGniiogw

It's normal to hear the sound of air rushing through the heads when under heavy load, it's a light, high pitched whine that increases with revs and throttle, once you hear it on one engine, you can pick it out on just about any other engine if the conditions are right, my B9 SQ included. (Obviously harder if exhaust is loud or it's actually supercharged, which drowns it out)

That said, your video is much louder and a different tone than that, it sounds like it could be a pinhole compressor side leak from a clamp on the pressurized side of the intake, probably intercooler piping. That or the PCV system may be leaking (through the intake connection) or is stuck (on the manifold side), but it could also be your intake making the sound of the PCV louder, you just don't normally hear that system unless something is wrong with it.

EDIT: You added a post since I opened this, definitely could be a leak coming from one of the clamps on your IC pipes not being tightened all the way or the piping isn't fully seated.

**Audski** · 08-02-2019 01:12 PM

https://youtu.be/kfpwHc6mHr4

Here’s a vid but doesn’t do it justice.

**mobE** · 08-02-2019 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Audski

https://youtu.be/kfpwHc6mHr4

Here’s a vid but doesn’t do it justice.

Yeahhh buddy, you got something going on! Check all connections that have been touched or changed. That's where I'd start...

**HyperM3** · 08-02-2019 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by Audski

https://youtu.be/kfpwHc6mHr4

Here’s a vid but doesn’t do it justice.

Ok yeah, mine doesnt sound like that. Then again, I havent put my windows down yet...

**HurrayFive** · 08-02-2019 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Audski

https://youtu.be/kfpwHc6mHr4

Here’s a vid but doesn’t do it justice.

THAT sounds like a compressor that's about to eat itself, definitely get it to a dealer ASAP. Turbos can last quite a bit longer with a failing bearing or shaft that's causing fins to slowly eat themselves than people think and still make normal feeling power, problem is that if it grenades and gets sucked into your engine it goes from just a turbo problem to a much larger one. Even if it's not the turbo, it's not normal, definitely have a dealer look at it as soon as you can.

**Audski** · 08-02-2019 02:10 PM

Just talked to the service manager at Audi. Wasn’t much help tbh. He said to put the stock air box back on and see if that makes any difference. He also said that if something is wrong with the turbo or whatever that it may be the intake that’s causing it and I could be liable and have to pay out of my own pocket if something does need replacing. Can’t see an intake hurting the turbo or anything. Sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me. I checked everything that may be lose that has to do with the intake and everything seemed fine.... I’m not liking the way this is shaping up.

**Omychron** · 08-03-2019 12:50 AM

Originally Posted by Audski

Just talked to the service manager at Audi. Wasn’t much help tbh. He said to put the stock air box back on and see if that makes any difference. He also said that if something is wrong with the turbo or whatever that it may be the intake that’s causing it and I could be liable and have to pay out of my own pocket if something does need replacing. Can’t see an intake hurting the turbo or anything. Sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me. I checked everything that may be lose that has to do with the intake and everything seemed fine.... I’m not liking the way this is shaping up.

Remove intake, go to a different dealer?

Normally when you really push the car you can hear the whine quite clearly, but this isn't even under heavy load and is not normal.

**Wikkidtt** · 08-03-2019 06:41 AM

Yeah this is not normal. Owned lots of turbo cars and BT Cars and that is a bad noise.

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**gregreed8313** · 08-19-2019 12:10 PM

I noticed a similar sound recently as well... Any updates? Planning to take my car into the dealership this week or next to have it looked at.

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**kr3wski** · 08-19-2019 03:22 PM

My car had a similar sound on Sunday that I only noticed once I had the car in “S” in dynamic mode. Happened once under full throttle...went away and I haven’t really heard it since. My guess is it’s a belt or pulley or something of the sort...not sure what the sound the OPs car was making since he took the video down. But I really hope what we’re hearing is nothing to worry about

**oc cc** · 08-20-2019 11:26 AM

My car also makes a SC whine type noise (still only have 600 miles on it). I am hoping it is nothing to be concerned about...

**Audski** · 08-20-2019 03:26 PM

Hey guys. After much research I have narrowed down the problem to what I believe is most likely a boost leak. I suspect the culprit to be the dump valve, so I’m going to be ordering the Forge Motorsport atmospheric dump valve to see if this remedies the problem. Will let you know how I make out. Cheers.

**kr3wski** · 08-20-2019 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by Audski

Hey guys. After much research I have narrowed down the problem to what I believe is most likely a boost leak. I suspect the culprit to be the dump valve, so I’m going to be ordering the Forge Motorsport atmospheric dump valve to see if this remedies the problem. Will let you know how I make out. Cheers.

Please let us know!

**A12rnx** · 08-21-2019 01:28 AM

I have the wine when I’ve been on it hard for a long period of time. I’m confident I don’t have a boost leak I already have the Forge atmospheric DV which is awesome And I can still get that wine. I still don’t know what it is but to be honest I’m going to keep going until something goes bang and then the guys at Audi can sort it under warranty. I have been trying to blow it up since I brought it. I always warm it up cool it down and oil change every 6k. Currently on 22k miles and still hasn’t put a foot wrong.

**mobE** · 08-25-2019 06:41 PM

Whelp, today I joined the "my turbo identifies at a supercharger" club 😒. I'm thinking it's just the waste gate...

**Esmin23** · 08-25-2019 07:53 PM

Check your intake for vac leaks, fellas

**kr3wski** · 08-25-2019 08:45 PM

I’d be curious to know if the very few guys running upgraded turbos have the same sound. Just to ease my worst fears of it being our turbos 😬

**mobE** · 08-26-2019 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by kr3wski

I’d be curious to know if the very few guys running upgraded turbos have the same sound. Just to ease my worst fears of it being our turbos 😬

I'm pretty confident my turbo is hurt. I'll be going over it today doing some checks before dropping it off at Audi. Even though I have a brand new turbo sitting in a box in my garage. Shittttt if it's still under warranty I'll gladly them fix it instead. I doubt the after market one's are having an issue. I think the factory wastegate is failing us.

**Zed 2.0** · 08-26-2019 09:39 AM

Can somebody post a sound clip of this? The OP took the video down.

Only odd sound I've ever noticed is a high-pitched whine at part throttle low speeds. But it sounds like normal high pressure injector or HPFP operation.

**kr3wski** · 08-26-2019 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Zed 2.0

Can somebody post a sound clip of this? The OP took the video down.

Only odd sound I've ever noticed is a high-pitched whine at part throttle low speeds. But it sounds like normal high pressure injector or HPFP operation.

It sounds exactly like a supercharger whine

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**mobE** · 08-26-2019 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Zed 2.0

Can somebody post a sound clip of this? The OP took the video down.

Only odd sound I've ever noticed is a high-pitched whine at part throttle low speeds. But it sounds like normal high pressure injector or HPFP operation.

https://youtu.be/rmjrWf9O4wU

**-LoneStar-** · 08-26-2019 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by mobE

https://youtu.be/rmjrWf9O4wU

WOW! I first listened to the original video that is now taken down, and I didn't hear any of that. This video clearly shows the sound. Is this your car?

**kr3wski** · 08-26-2019 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by mobE

https://youtu.be/rmjrWf9O4wU

Woahhhh ok yeah mine doesn’t sound like that

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**mobE** · 08-26-2019 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by -LoneStar-

WOW! I first listened to the original video that is now taken down, and I didn't hear any of that. This video clearly shows the sound. Is this your car?

Yeahhh, it's really clear for me. I have two videos posted that sound clearly different. She's mine...

Originally Posted by kr3wski

Woahhhh ok yeah mine doesn’t sound like that

Yupp...

~ break ~
About three months ago I was chasing my tail because I thought I had a boost leak. The car wasn't hitting target boost. After many hours checking and reseating/tightening everything it was fine so I figured it was a leak.
Then a few week's ago I was going down the highway and the car went limp, fault code was a fault with the waste gate actuator. It cleared and went back to normal so I didn't think much of it.
Yesterday I was on my third session at a track day event and while under boost it went from sounding normal to that nasty whine. I knew something was wrong so I pulled off immediately and cooled the car down. Then putted my way home trying to not spool the turbo as much as possible.
In hindsight all of the thing's that have been happening could be explained by a faulty actuator or internal failure... I have a second brand new turbo just sitting in a box. I was about three or four week's away from ordering a hybrid 🤷*♂️. I just took off a few of of my part's and it'll be going Into audi with the rest still on.
I'm going to do an oil change as well... and send a sample off for analysis.

**-LoneStar-** · 08-26-2019 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by mobE

Yeahhh, it's really clear for me. I have two videos posted that sound clearly different. She's mine...

Yupp...

~ break ~
About three months ago I was chasing my tail because I thought I had a boost leak. The car wasn't hitting target boost. After many hours checking and reseating/tightening everything it was fine so I figured it was a leak.
Then a few week's ago I was going down the highway and the car went limp, fault code was a fault with the waste gate actuator. It cleared and went back to normal so I didn't think much of it.
Yesterday I was on my third session at a track day event and while under boost it went from sounding normal to that nasty whine. I knew something was wrong so I pulled off immediately and cooled the car down. Then putted my way home trying to not spool the turbo as much as possible.
In hindsight all of the thing's that have been happening could be explained by a faulty actuator or internal failure... I have a second brand new turbo just sitting in a box. I was about three or four week's away from ordering a hybrid 🤷*♂️. I just took off a few of of my part's and it'll be going Into audi with the rest still on.
I'm going to do an oil change as well... and send a sample off for analysis.

Would be nice if Audi warrantied it and took care of it. Which parts are you leaving on? I would almost be inclined to remove everything unless you have a really relaxed dealer. Any time I would bring my car in for warranty work the first thing out of their mouth was "is it modified".

What's the build date of your car?

I think an oil analysis would be very smart. What alloys would you be looking for from the turbo (iron, lead, tin, aluminum etc)?

**mobE** · 08-26-2019 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by -LoneStar-

Would be nice if Audi warrantied it and took care of it. Which parts are you leaving on? I would almost be inclined to remove everything unless you have a really relaxed dealer. Any time I would bring my car in for warranty work the first thing out of their mouth was "is it modified".

What's the build date of your car?

I think an oil analysis would be very smart. What alloys would you be looking for from the turbo (iron, lead, tin, aluminum etc)?

AWE dp & touring exhaust, ECS intake, APR fmic w/ piping, all the 034 suspension bits, KW H.A.S., catch can. They said it will be cool, I was at a track event they put on 🤣.