Mk5 1.9tdi 'hoo' problem

[Dave_TDI]

Hey there, been to 3 different garages this week trying to diagnose this problem with no joy.

Basically when i change gear only between 2k-3k revs the car makes a loud noise like a dump valve, sounds like an owl basically.

Ive had it on a diagnostics machine theres no errors, no loss of power, had every hose to/from the turbo and intercooler checked and theres no leaks of air or anything.

All 3 garages said its something i will have to live with because theres nothing wrong. Its not something i want to live with and when i come to sell it nobody will touch it.

Can anyone shed any light?

[john87]

Which level of TDI is it, i.e. 90/110/130 bhp?

My dad has a 1.9 Tdi 90hp and this can be heard very faintly, in fact, probably not at all to the untuned ear...

[nezquick]

You sure its not the diverter valve?

[barratt]

I have the same problem on mine, 1.9TDI 105, mapped.

The noise seems to gradually get louder and louder. Started off quiet 20k miles ago. It's now audible almost every gear change!

[Dave_TDI]

Which level of TDI is it, i.e. 90/110/130 bhp?

My dad has a 1.9 Tdi 90hp and this can be heard very faintly, in fact, probably not at all to the untuned ear...

Sorry its a mk5 105bhp version, remapped and gti exhaust.

Just spoke to awesome gti and they also say its normal on these, its just really annoying and very loud now, people turn round to see what it was lol.

[rich83]

It could be enhanced by the exhaust Change too. Mine did it too from what I remember. :-). If there is no power loss chances are its running spot on.

[simonp]

Normal? My wife's doesn't do it...

[jameelno1]

Mine does it too it's normal

[dodds-gttdi]

All tdi golf's seem to have a slight owl 'hoo' to them. I spoke to a VAG specialist who said it is probably a nick or slight defect in one (or more) of the turbo impeller vanes causing it to give of a noise. As the turbo is spinning at crazy RPM's you get anything from a whistling noise to a 'hooooo'.  I've a milltek Turbo Back Exhaut and a remap on my car and have had the whistle/hoo for 16000 miles so far. Suppose I'm used to it now.

It doesn't inspire confidence in the turbo but mine's hasn't gotten any worse in the last year. Fingers crossed it lasts. 

[bakili]

I have same noise on my 08 Mk5 1.9 tdi 105bhp. I can describe noise like woosh noise, first I thought it was when I change gears 2nd and 3rd, after I noticed that it is not gears it does it when you lift foot from accelerator pedal. It happens not all the time, I believe maybe its to do with weather/air cold/warm. As its mainly happens when is cold. I also been trough diagnostics, and all seems to be fine. I am kinder started giving up and live with it. Main concern was that turbo is giving up, but after doing quite bit research online, seems to be there are few cars out there with same problems. My car done just over 100k, few my mates got identical Mk5's with half mileage and having same issues.

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[Dave_TDI]

Thanks guys,  its reassuring i'm not the only one with the problem, looks like we have to live with it 

Only thing that bothers me is its going to be harder to sell when it comes to it if people hear that noise on a test drive but i will cross that bridge when it comes to it :)

Thanks again for all the replies :)

[Phil Miller]

Mine nor my OHs 105 TDI does this, mines on 146k and ohs is on 61k we have had hers since it was on 26k and there has never been a noise

[PDT]

Could be a sign of worn turbo bearings, does it sometimes sound a bit like a police siren?

[apples12]

mines got this 'hoo' noise too... louder when its cold?

1.9tdi BKC engine, had it when i bought the car 32,000 miles ago, still there today, nothing to worry about according to my mechanic...

[simonp]

That's what mechanics who don't know how to cure something say!