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strange whistling sound coming from engine when i accelerate

53K views 29 replies 20 participants last post by  Euramobilly 
#1 ·
hello i was wondering if anyone could help, I am experiencing a strange whistling noise coming from my engine. its not particuarly loud and the performance of my motorhome has not been affected at all but it wasnt there before an i was wondering if anyone could help me find out what it is.
My motorhome an iveco turbo daily model van. it doesnt happen when i first start the engine but after a while, especialy if im just cruising on the motorway, it starts up, generally when ive got my foot down more on the accelerator, and doesnt go away again. as it doesnt happen when the engine is just idling i cant open the bonnet and find the exact location of the noise but it seems to be coming from the area of the engine in front of the drivers seat.
i was thinking it might be the turbocharger, as it seems to only happen when i accelerate more, or someone else said it might be the dump valve.
does anyone know how i could find out for sure and also what would happen if my turbo charger went, would the van still be drive able but much slower or would the engine be unable to run at all?

any help much appreciated, leo
 
#3 ·
Sounds like a loose or burst pipe between the turbo and the intercooler - they are about 3 inches in diameter. Check the jubilee clips at each end of both pipes, and make sure the pipe is pushed all the way onto the fitting.

Worst case would be a leak on the intercooler itself.

HTH

David
 
#5 ·
Have had both turbo's gone and pipe come off. Usually if pipe comes off there is loss of power and smoke.

Currently have two delivery vans with "turbo whistle", one of which has had it for over a year and 15000 miles approx and one for about 6 months and 10000 miles.

They have not got any worse, and have had no evident effect on performance or fuel consumption. So unless they deteriorate in any way, I will leave them as they are.

The garage that service them say the same thing, leave them unless it gets worse.

David
 
#6 ·
cool ill check the pipe tommorow when its a bit lighter. yeah the noise isnt annoying or that loud, just wasnt making it before so was a bit worried. still getting used to having a van i think im going have to accept that older vans do make strange noises and not to worry about it unless it actually stops working so well/ at all.
 
#7 ·
Re: strange whistling sound coming from engine when i accele

leo23 said:
or someone else said it might be the dump valve.
Then that someone knows nothing about diesels ..

Diesels neither have nor need dump valves.

Dump valves are something fitted to some petrol turbo engines to overcome a problem peculiar to petrol turbo engines.
 
#10 ·
bowlty said:
hi
could it be a lose fan belt or water pump bearing
No, the noise of a loose fan belt is a screech which usually goes away when the rubber gets warm and sticky and the water pump will be a rattly squeal, for want of better words.

Turbo whistle is unmistakable, Alan.
 
#12 ·
had a look cant even find it anyone know where its likely to be on my engine? saw a replacement turbo /intercooler pipe on ebay which was red so gonna go back and look for a red pipe but i dont think there is one.
cheers for the help everyone! i havent got a clue might actually have to go to a garage
 
#15 ·
leo23 said:
had a look cant even find it anyone know where its likely to be on my engine? saw a replacement turbo /intercooler pipe on ebay which was red so gonna go back and look for a red pipe but i dont think there is one.
cheers for the help everyone! i havent got a clue might actually have to go to a garage
pipes will be black mate, and lead from the front of the van, near the radiator , back to the engine. Look for a silver 'radiator' at the front, this is the intercooler, trace pipes back from there (2 pipes).

David
 
#16 ·
b16duv said:
leo23 said:
had a look cant even find it anyone know where its likely to be on my engine? saw a replacement turbo /intercooler pipe on ebay which was red so gonna go back and look for a red pipe but i dont think there is one.
cheers for the help everyone! i havent got a clue might actually have to go to a garage
pipes will be black mate, and lead from the front of the van, near the radiator , back to the engine. Look for a silver 'radiator' at the front, this is the intercooler, trace pipes back from there (2 pipes).

David
cheers for the laymans temrs, that makes things simpler, whys it got 2 names anyway?
well both of the fat pipes are fine although one wasnt on as much as it could have been so ive stuck it on properly and tightened the jubilee clip right up. if there a leak in the intercooler/radiator making the whistle will it be obviously leaking water or will it just be a leak in the parts of it concerned with air cooling?
 
#17 ·
leo23 said:
cheers for the laymans temrs, that makes things simpler, whys it got 2 names anyway?
well both of the fat pipes are fine although one wasnt on as much as it could have been so ive stuck it on properly and tightened the jubilee clip right up. if there a leak in the intercooler/radiator making the whistle will it be obviously leaking water or will it just be a leak in the parts of it concerned with air cooling?
The intercooler just looks like a radiator, but has no water in it, it's for cooling the charge air before it goes into the engine.

The intercooler pipes will be slightly bigger than the radiator pipes. If one wasn't pushed right on, and you could tighten the jubilee, that may well have solved the problem.

David
 
#18 ·
Had whistle on my last fiat after service, they had put wrong oil in engine, Normal 20/50 diesel, I drained and filled with fully synthetic turbo diesel, noise gone.
This may not be your problem though.
Turbos turn very fast and need the absolutely best lubrication.
 
#20 ·
I'd also check the hoses from the air box and the lid of the air box itself. If there's a small gap then air will be sucked in through the gap and will make the noise.

That said mine whistles very audibly and none of the hoses are loose - as others have said, some just do.
 
#22 ·
easy way to spot a leak from the intercooler or pipes - there will be an oily residue around the area although leaks tend to hiss rather than whistle. Whistling turbo's are considered "normal operation" as said earlier lack of performance and smoke are the more serious symptoms.
john
 
#23 ·
Re: strange whistling sound coming from engine when i accele

Then that someone knows nothing about diesels ..

Diesels neither have nor need dump valves.

Dump valves are something fitted to some petrol turbo engines to overcome a problem peculiar to petrol turbo engines.
People confuse turbo wastegate and dump valves (yes diesels dont need dump valve), turbo whistle should go away if you come off the throttle as should an air line leak as well, turbo whistle changed with weather conditions I find, we had an old Merc 123 estate that I fitted a turbo kit to and that used to whistle in the fog.

P.S First time I have done a a quote so hope it works.

Martin
 
#24 ·
Scan all your documents to a memory stick as back-up back-up :D
 
#25 ·
Whistle from front end of RV

We have owned two Georgie Boy Cruise Masters and they both whistle on the highway. It will sometimes come and go, but we thought it might be something to do with the grill or antenna on the roof. It sounds more like a wind whistle from somewhere up front or near the windshield. I have stood on my head while he drives trying to locate the whistle and it seems to come from all directions.
Sometimes it would just quit and we thought it was the direction of the wind changing.
Thanks for the info. Will ask about whether or not we need to adjust or replace.
Thanks,
Linda1039
 
#26 ·
Hi

A friend of mine bought a new Mondeo which had quite a loud whistle at speed.

It took a number of visits to the supplying dealers and some weeks to establish it was a ribbon she'd tied to the radio aerial :lol: The dealer was quite happy as Ford hadn't had that complaint before and now had the remedy if someone else had similar, zero charge 8)
 
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