Whistle at 2800 RPM

[aaronz]

So I have started to hear a slight whistle sound at exactly 2800-2900 rpm (no matter the gear) and only every so often. The whistle can be described as wind blowing over the top of a bottle or through a small hole. The sound is even present when I let off the accelerator and push no positive boost (still negative pressure showing on boost gauge).

I wouldn't say it sounds like a dentist drill (Dad is a dentist I know what those sound like), but I can't for sure say it isn't the turbo. From the drivers position it sounds like it is coming from the front left wheel well and only makes the sound when moving. I know I am missing a couple of those plastic screw things in the wheel well leaving a small hole for air to travel through, but I would assume it would make a sound at any rpm as long as the car is moving.

I hope it is not the turbo as I won't be doing my upgrade untill spring.

58k on the clock. 1.8t q 6 speed. Boost tops out at 12 psi (stock) then drops so I would think the turbo wouldn't spike that high if it was having health issues....


Any other infor that might be needed to diagnose let me know and i will see if I can get you an answer.

Thanks for the help guys.

Update:***

I am not sure if whistle is the best word to describe it, I would call it a howling whistle. Not high pitched like a human whistling but not low pitch like blowing over a plastic coke bottle.

[HIERLEVELZ]

Is it whistling dixie?....JK you sure the sound is coming from the air flowing over the sideview mirror?

[aaronz]

Just drove back from work, and drove the whole way with the radio off. The sound doesn't happen in 1st, sometimes in second but just for a nano second, third and fourth are the most prominent, 5th and 6th I didn't use to much but I know it also does it in those gears.

I was wrong in my original post, it starts at about 2600 and CAN GO to 2800. I say can because sometimes it doesn't.

I didn't check if it made the sound with the window down, its freezing outside! I will be leaving for class soon so I will give it a try thanks!

[aaronz]

Not the mirror making the sound that is for sure.

[aaronz]

anyone...coke bottle howling!

[SpacemanSpiff]

I'm getting a whistle now as well and I live just north of you in Il's largest state park (Wisconsin). I'm blaming the weather -it's been damn cooold.

Also, I wouldn't describe the whistle as being over a coke bottle -it's higher pitched than that. It's almost the same tone as the door dinger, but more obviously air vacuum/pressure related.




Spiff, who isn't that worried as it goes away after the first mile or so of driving

[texasboy21]

mine does; its been diagnosed as the turbo dying. start saving for a 1.9L and 3076 like me lol

barrett

[aaronz]

I wouldn't say mine is high pitched, medium pitched.

[texasboy21]

^^^mine as well, and depending on how much throttle, meaning a little less that gets the whistling noise, it can even be a humming tone similar to a duck call lol but less "ducky" lol

barrett

[Undisputed]

Does it sound more like a tone than a whistle?

[aaronz]

Could be described as a tone (it is more tone than whistle)

The best descriptive word is howl to me.

[texasboy21]

that would be the one! I dont know why that sound occurs or what it means about the turbo other than it means its not "healthy"

barrett

[aaronz]

that would be the one! I dont know why that sound occurs or what it means about the turbo other than it means its not "healthy"

barrett

But it does not have to happen under boost. I can be 20hkg and still get the sound, or I could be at 0 and still get the sound. It is also only in a set RPM range.

I hope its not the turbo I still have 3 more months for saving!

[Undisputed]

I'm thinking that it may be the fuel filter. I had a similiar tone that I was hearing and it went away when I changed the filter. If it were the turbo then you wouldn't hear it when you're just idling the car.
The easiest way to check is to lay next to the car by the passenger side rear tire. The filter is located in front of that. If you touch it, then you'll feel it vibrating. That'd be the problem. 15-30min DIY and you're all good. Do a search in the B6 forums for fuel filter and you'll find alot of people that had the same symptoms. There is also a very good DIY writeup.

Hope this helps.

[aaronz]

I'm thinking that it may be the fuel filter. I had a similiar tone that I was hearing and it went away when I changed the filter. If it were the turbo then you wouldn't hear it when you're just idling the car.
The easiest way to check is to lay next to the car by the passenger side rear tire. The filter is located in front of that. If you touch it, then you'll feel it vibrating. That'd be the problem. 15-30min DIY and you're all good. Do a search in the B6 forums for fuel filter and you'll find alot of people that had the same symptoms. There is also a very good DIY writeup.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, I will check into it. I just had the dealer do the fuel pump back in August so it is a possibility.

[NeoAngelicRage]

It's probably the diverter valve honking, or if you have the apr R1 like i do it kinda makes a moo-ing sound while building boost or releasing pressure while on partial throttle, it's probably not the turbo pull the dv and check it.

[aaronz]

It's probably the diverter valve honking, or if you have the apr R1 like i do it kinda makes a moo-ing sound while building boost or releasing pressure while on partial throttle, it's probably not the turbo pull the dv and check it.

That is exactly what it was, i did the 710N in the summer, went back to my old one and the sound was gone. Had the dealer switch it out since I had the receipt.

Still waiting for the snow to stop to put the new 710 back in.

Thanks a million!

[aaronz]

Well it came back (not really positive it ever went away). I did find the following article and it describes my issue exactly. Only problem is this article is in Re: to an older model. THink it might the same solution????

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng6.shtml

[miggity02]

Texasboy21...what is that diode mod you have? is it a DIY? I have the same car 2003 A4 1.8tq. Does it matter if I have Revo 1?
P.S. sorry to thread jack, it just caught my eye.