VW Golf funny noise on aceleration

Rambosmum

My 2002 Golf TDI started making a whirring noise on acceleration on a journey home from the tip today. I suspect it's related to my turbo as it doesn't accelerate like it used to, just like a normal, none turbo, smaller engine car.

Any one any idea what it could be and the cost to fix it? I'm hoping a slipped belt as a I'm guessing a new turbo may be more money than the car is worth?

ilikewatch

Talking as a complete amateur (who has a similar issue with a different model of car) your symptoms could be those of a failing turbo...
If you can get the turbo air inlet hose off and give the turbo shaft a wobble that may give a clue as to whether the turbo has excessive play and is on its way out. Also, check hoses for holes or splits.

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon with better advice :-)

Richard53

I'd suspect the turbo as well. However, I had similar symptoms with my Mondeo - funny whirring noise when accelerating, slight loss of power - and it turned out to be a holed exhaust, in the downpipe from the manifold. Cheap fix, about £60 all in as I remember, and cured it.

mcpitman

Check all intercooler/charge hoses and vacuum pipes associated to the turbo system.

These will need to be thoroughly checked, the smallest of splits/holes can cause issues.

Hoping the turbo hasn't gone for you, so as always check the cheapest things first.

Does it have an ODB port or any error codes showing? If so, get the codes read and see what they are telling (I am unsure if 2002 Golf have OBD/canbus systems).

Rambosmum

Garage did a full work up, and as well as a split hose leading to the turbo the turbo has gone £650 to fix including labor and oil change/ engine clean. Luckily only a bit of the turbo has gone and VW will refurb it with 12 month guarantee of whole turbo- even though I've gone to an independent garage. Also, as I only drove it 5 miles after the noise started (including to the garage) the engine hasn't been doused in diesel causing additional (expensive) damage.

Guy at the garage suggested it may not be worth fixing it but after looking over the car said the rest was in really good condition for the age, and scrap/ breakage wouldn't be much so decided to repair it as I can just about pull £650 out the bank but not a new (to me) car - and you never know what a different car might throw up problem wise.

Richard53

Rambosmum wrote: »

Guy at the garage suggested it may not be worth fixing it but after looking over the car said the rest was in really good condition for the age, and scrap/ breakage wouldn't be much so decided to repair it as I can just about pull £650 out the bank but not a new (to me) car - and you never know what a different car might throw up problem wise.

If the car is otherwise good (and it sounds as if it is), then repairing it is the best decision. Sometimes a repair doesn't seem economic in terms of the 'value' of the car, but if the car has more value to you than the book price, then it might be worth doing. I once had a Citroen that failed MoT on suspension and needed £800 to put right. That was as much as the car was worth according to a trade valuation, but I was willing to pay it as the car was so good in all other respects. I got another two years out of it, and it was still running fine and rust-free (yes, really) when I sold it. As you say, another car might have any amount of problems - at least you know this one.