Can you hear a turbo charger?

As the name suggests, a turbo whistle sounds like a high pitched whistle or whining sound, heard when the turbocharger kicks in as you accelerate and the revs go up. For some people, a turbo whistle can be annoying, but to others, it’s actually desirable!

Does a turbo engine sound different?

A turbo can make a few different noises. Firstly they rotate at pretty high speeds and tend to produce a fairly high pitched whine or whistle once they get up to speed. The blow-off valves which vent excess pressure can also make a noticeable hissing sound.

How do you know if a car is turbo charged?

Take a look at the badges on the rear of your vehicle, and look for the word “Turbo”, or the letter “T”, in conjunction with other letters, which is usually used to denote the word turbocharged (e.g. TDI, TSI, TFSI, TDCI).

What sound does a turbo make when it’s going out?

Loud noises: If your vehicle has a bad turbo, you may hear loud noises that sound like whining or screeching. So if your vehicle is running and you hear a loud whining sound that increases in volume as the problem goes unfixed, this is most likely to do a turbo problem.

What makes the flutter sound on a turbo car?

When your turbocharged engine is under load, the engine is consuming air (airflow), and your turbo is creating pressure (boost). That fluttering noise is the sound of a turbo operating in compressor surge, as the compressor ‘chops’ through the air rather than pushing the air into the engine.

Why do turbo cars sound bad?

The turbocharger itself can also introduce a whistling noise to the intake, not unlike a jet engine. The turbo has a similar effect on exhaust systems, where the exhaust-side impeller disrupts the exhaust flow by creating an extra gate for the sound to have to flow through.

Is flutter bad for your turbo?

When the compressed air has nowhere to go, it causes the turbo rotational speed to rapidly drop, and attempts to push against the wheel. This can cause premature wear on your turbo, however closed throttle flutter on modern turbochargers is unlikely to cause a noticeable drop in turbocharger lifespan.

How do I know if my car has a turbo?

However, engine covers often have labels on them, letting you know the capacity (e.g. 1.6) and whether it is turbocharged (e.g. TDI, TSI). Turbocharged engines make a distinctive whining, or whistling sound, which is caused by the blades of the turbine inside the turbo spinning.

What does a turbocharged engine mean?

The turbocharged engine is one of the many measuring sticks that car enthusiasts use to gauge the ability a car has. If you are unable to look under the hood, it can be difficult to decide if that car you have your eye on is really sporting a turbocharger or just a standard, albeit high-quality, engine.

What happens when a turbo stops working on a car?

On some cars you can even hear a satisfying rush as the turbo kicks in, forcing air into the engine. However, if your turbo stops working properly, your engine may become inefficient and could suffer from poor performance. What are some of the signs that your turbo is failing?

What does it mean when your Turbo light comes on?

Check engine light – there are several reasons why this light can become illuminated on your dashboard. It could be down to problems with your sensors, or even a loose petrol cap, but sometimes it may indicate a serious issue with your turbo. Stay on the safe side and get the car checked out by a mechanic.