[ksquared8]

Hi there

long time lurker but this is my first post and I wonder if anyone out there has experienced the problem I am having.

I have an e91 330D Msport touring prod yr 09/2005 which recently went in for a service at the dealer at 20k so relatively low mileage.

At the time they advised that I had a slight leak on the turbo pressure pipe and that I could leave or change this depending on how I felt. I took the car away and all was still fine (no weird noise).

I booked the car in a few weeks later to have the pipe changed and also have a faulty seat bolster which wasn't inflating repaired. On getting the car back this weird noise had now appeared. It sounds like someone blowing into a bottle neck making a "woo" noise or hum. Thats the best way i can describe it.

This noise happens at around 30 mph and again at 70 mph. If I hold the car at the right speed I can get the sound quite loud as it starts to resonate.

I took the car back to the dealer and they tried to blame it on worn tyres and wheel noise but this has been ruled out as I had the rears changed and a technician tried the car with 2 new front tyres from a different car. It also doesn't sound like the noise is wind noise from the car travelling forwards and air being trapped somewhere as sometimes it can happen at very low speeds.

They then tried to tell me this was normal but I have disputed this with them as it did not make this noise before.

To me, logic says it must be something to do with the work on the pressure pipe but the dealer is insisting that they have checked this and can find nothing wrong.

This noise is driving me mad as it happens at normal driving speeds. I love this car but at the moment its not much fun driving round with what sounds like someone blowing into an empty bottle all the time.

Can anyone give some help or advice or maybe even a solution!

Thanks in advance

[ksquared8]

Hi guys just an update from my original post

Just had a call from the dealer saying they changed all 4 wheels for different ones and the noise was at least 60% better.

They wanted me to come down and have a listen but unfortunately had to put the wheels back from the other car. How very conveient

I am sceptical but said I'd come back and have a listen when they got another set of wheels on the car.

At least they are now trying to help instead of claiming its a normal noise. Will also look at the hoses myself but you're right its a very tight squeeze in there.

Will let you know what they say in the meantime if anyone else has had a similar experience please let me know as it all helps me to argue my case at the dealers.

Thanks

[iamjim]

My old 2005 120d made this sound and it was a blown turbo.

[Buttons]

Any loss in performance?

I had this happen on my last 2 cars, Audi A4 Tdi and Mondeo Tdi (although i try not to let on that i owned a Mondeo too often!)

On both occasions it was a split in turbo pipe.
On both occasions, it started as the noise only but then the split will get bigger and eventually effect performance.

The pipe itself may be ok, it could just be that the jubilee clip is loose and allows the pipe to leak air when under load?

[JLR1969]

I had a MK4 Golf GT Tdi made the same noise. It was a pipe that had split. Not sure if the pipe was to the turbo or the intercooler.

Cheap to fix though.

[chris330D]

you should just hear a high pitched whistle as the turbo spins up and down at low revs. Not sure if I would call it a whooshing noise though. That's the only noise mine makes which seems to be the same make/model etc as yours.

[ksquared8]

thanks guys

The car is still at the dealers as I haven't had a chance to get back down there what with work and all.

Chris I know what you mean about the whistle but this is distinctly different. Yes I'm convinced more than ever its the pipe not being secured properly although they're still trying to convince me its wheels.

I'm going there in the morning so will keep you posted

[ksquared8]

ok so got the car back but unfortunately the service advisor who was looking after putting on different wheels has had to be called away for the next couple of days. I now have to bring it back next week when he's back. Would like to say the dealer (sytner sunningdale) have been very patient with me and are trying to be helpful.

Anyway I took the opportunity to try a few things out in the meantime.

1. Definitely no loss of power still pulls well and handles well (I really still love driving this car )

2. Not sure if its dependent on engine load because I can put the car in N (its an auto) and even though the revs drop I still hear the "woo" at certain speeds. Unforunately you can't stop the engine totally and coast with the engine off.

3. When I picked the car up this morning it was quite cold around 7 degrees and the car didn't make the noise. It only seemed to start after things had warmed up.

Given point 2 maybe it isn't the pipes I was thinking maybe brakes or something in the drivetrain?

[ksquared8]

Hi Guys

Not posted an update to what happened with the noise because because they couldn't find a solution.

Have to say Sytner sunningdale were very good and took the car in several times to try and find the fault but nothing much worked. They said they found some clips which were missing underneath the car and replaced those but nothing else worked.

AS a last resort the service guy said try changing the front tyres as they are nearly worn out anyway. I said I didn't think this was it because we had tried the car on a differnet set of tyres ad it still made the noise.

Anyway I did have the front tyres changed a couple of weeks ago and guess what. The noise is gone!

I'm really not sure what was going on here but when the tyres were changed the pronounced woooing nosie was all but gone. There is still quite a bit of road noise from the tyres but I think I can put that down to the runflats and our rubbish UK roads in general.

Anyway I thought I would share the outcome so that someone else might benefit if having the same kind of problem.

Now the noise is gone I can enjoy the car again and think about that remap

[Dr Dave]

Great result - many thanks for updating us - and well done to Sytner for sorting it in the end.