[TiAg335i]

Just today, out of the blue, my car is making a pretty loud turbo siren under acceleration. This hasn't happened in a couple of years and decided to just randomly come on today. The reason I'm a bit worried is because coincidentally I just installed Cobb AP about a week ago. I didn't drive long enough to warm up the engine so that might be a reason also. But my car before this NEVER made any type of turbo siren sound for a while.

I'm thinking it also might be weather related too. Today is warm (60's with high humidity). But it also might be due to the tune...

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

Just today, out of the blue, my car is making a pretty loud turbo siren under acceleration. This hasn't happened in a couple of years and decided to just randomly come on today. The reason I'm a bit worried is because coincidentally I just installed Cobb AP about a week ago. I didn't drive long enough to warm up the engine so that might be a reason also. But my car before this NEVER made any type of turbo siren sound for a while.

I'm thinking it also might be weather related too. Today is warm (60's with high humidity). But it also might be due to the tune...

I would say it's the weather, since this is the first hot and humind day we had this year. Althugh if your car still sounds like a Stuka Dive bomber tomorrow it might be a turbo issue.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Welcome to increased boost and its noises.

Those noises are common especially on cold engines.

I started my car today and also noticed an increased noise on cold start. We also just went from 30-50 degree weather to 70-80 over night.


Those noises are only a problem when performance is reduced as well.

[secretsquirrel]

when it sounds like a siren, you'll know it. You'll be looking over your shoulder looking for the fuzz.

[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by secretsquirrel

when it sounds like a siren, you'll know it. You'll be looking over your shoulder looking for the fuzz.

Oh i know it...i've had this before so i know what it sounds like lol

[Syndicategt]

I wish mine would become sirens, that way I know if my engine smoke is 100% turbo related so I can pull the trigger on some RB's.

[Ilma]

Noticeable whine upon cold startup fading to a very faint whine once fully warmed up is pretty common.

It's only when the whine is constantly in your face that I would worry about the turbos heading south.

I had mine replaced for whine after the 1st year and the new ones make the very same noise.

[bigdaddycane]

when it sounds like a siren, you'll know it. You'll be looking over your shoulder looking for the fuzz.

[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by Ilma

Noticeable whine upon cold startup fading to a very faint whine once fully warmed up is pretty common.

It's only when the whine is constantly in your face that I would worry about the turbos heading south.

I had mine replaced for whine after the 1st year and the new ones make the very same noise.

good to know, thanks

[flyers1470]

I'm bone stock and I noticed my car making some louder than normal sounds today as well (turbos spooling, air wooshing). At first I thought it was because today was ~80 degrees and I had the windows down but it still sounded loud when I rolled them up. Seemed to go away as the car warmed up though.

[E90E]

I think I hear a siren too but it is so faint, I dont think its a problem especially since the car still pulls HARD.

[uberschnell]

I had the same police car siren as in this video. After a week of troubleshooting including opening up a PUMA case BMW disconnected the Downpipes and found a ton of play in my turbo wheels. The bearings had been burnt out.

Needless to say new turbos were needed. Fixed the sound immediately and has been gone since.

Mine also started up one day, out of the blue. Pulled hard, etc. Not only is this not a normal sound (my new turbos have been perfect for 2 years) it sounds like crap for a 40K car.

[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by MteK

I had the same police car siren as in this video. After a week of troubleshooting including opening up a PUMA case BMW disconnected the Downpipes and found a ton of play in my turbo wheels. The bearings had been burnt out.

Needless to say new turbos were needed. Fixed the sound immediately and has been gone since.

Mine also started up one day, out of the blue. Pulled hard, etc. Not only is this not a normal sound (my new turbos have been perfect for 2 years) it sounds like crap for a 40K car.

Were you tuned? What tune? And did it go away when the car was warm?

I feel like this should be a more common issue if it is due to the tune...soo many people are running over 14 lbs of boost and we don't hear too many stories of turbo whine and having to replace the turbos because of it...

[uberschnell]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

Were you tuned? What tune? And did it go away when the car was warm?

I feel like this should be a more common issue if it is due to the tune...soo many people are running over 14 lbs of boost and we don't hear too many stories of turbo whine and having to replace the turbos because of it...

Maybe it has something to do with the turbo model used on older cars.

[TiAg335i]

Came across this worrisome piece of info:

What is/causes Shaft Play?
Shaft play is caused by the bearings in the center section of the turbo wearing out over time. When a bearing is worn, shaft play, a side to side wiggling motion of the shaft occurs. This in turn causes the shaft to scrape against the inside of the turbo and often produces a high-pitched whine or whizzing noise. This is a potentially serious condition that can lead to internal damage or complete failure of the turbine wheel or the turbo itself.

http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbob...nter/faqs.html

Can any of the tuners comment on this? I've had the turbo siren at ~8K miles (stock/JB+ tuned), it went away for 2-3 years, and is just now coming back at 19K miles (Cobb AP tuned). If turbo whine means there is shaft play and a damaged bearing, why would the sound go away like that? Wouldn't it just stay and get worse?

[Dr. G]

Also interested in this!! A car I just checked out to purchase for my cousin is making this sound and we may close the deal this weekend, worried if we should stay away or if it is nothing to be concerned about. The car we are looking into just came out of warranty.

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

Came across this worrisome piece of info:

What is/causes Shaft Play?
Shaft play is caused by the bearings in the center section of the turbo wearing out over time. When a bearing is worn, shaft play, a side to side wiggling motion of the shaft occurs. This in turn causes the shaft to scrape against the inside of the turbo and often produces a high-pitched whine or whizzing noise. This is a potentially serious condition that can lead to internal damage or complete failure of the turbine wheel or the turbo itself.

http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbob...nter/faqs.html

Can any of the tuners comment on this? I've had the turbo siren at ~8K miles (stock/JB+ tuned), it went away for 2-3 years, and is just now coming back at 19K miles (Cobb AP tuned). If turbo whine means there is shaft play and a damaged bearing, why would the sound go away like that? Wouldn't it just stay and get worse?

[uberschnell]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

Were you tuned? What tune? And did it go away when the car was warm?

I feel like this should be a more common issue if it is due to the tune...soo many people are running over 14 lbs of boost and we don't hear too many stories of turbo whine and having to replace the turbos because of it...

It did not go away when warm. Got progressively worse over time. People would drive in my car and ask me what's that sound. Again, maybe the earlier turbos. Seemed to be a bigger deal a couple of years ago.

[RoundelM3]

30K miles on my early '07 and no noises yet. Not even wastegate rattle. I must be living right...

[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by roundel335

30K miles on my early '07 and no noises yet. Not even wastegate rattle. I must be living right...

Tuned or no? This is so important.

[PiZauL]

34k on my 07 with original HPFP, and no turbo/wg problems (knock on wood). I am untuned but about to put in a JB4. Although, in the past month I have had 2 1/2 engine lights. Might get it looked into, only the HPFP recall is applicable to my car.

[TiAg335i]

Stock cars on the stock tune in my experience will not produce turbo whine.....it's something about that extra boost that has the turbos crying. It's really pathetic how delicate these things are...

[caradd]

Oh goody turbo whine, another thing to look forward to with this stupid car.