Turbo gurus!!!

I have an issue and I need your inputs.

I don't step on the gas often but I do it occasionally. 3 days ago I was passing this car on the freeway and when the turbo kicked in, it made a weird whining noise. Ive been reading about turbo whining and I get mixed answers but most of them lead to turbo failure. I checked everything today and I do not have a shaft play. I just changed oil yesterday and boosted the car again today and its the same whining noise but the car seemed fine.

What do you guys think?

 

probably a stupid question, but you're positive it's coming from the turbo? No leaks anywhere?

 

sounds like you need to boost leak test your baby.

couplers or j pipe make a loud squeal when leaking sometimes.

 

Sounds like an exhaust mani gasket, either the one at the head or the one between the turbo and mani. I was getting the EXACT same sound off my Talon about 6 months ago, and it took me weeks to figure it out. It only made the sound when it was in boost, but as soon as I replaced the gasket for the mani at the head, the sound went away. Just some insight

 

Ok so majority I saying that it's a boost leak. I'll check that. I'll also look into the gaskets.

 

Do you have an open element air filter?

How extreme of a whine?

 

It sounds more like an unbalanced propeller or a helicopter rotors but high speed and high pitched. Its not smooth progressive pitch

 

you said your LICP blew off right, sounds like you have a boost leak

 

I got that fixed but the turbo whine was even before I messed with the engine. It already started whining 4 days ago. I just installed the upper intercooler pipe yesterday.

 

gaskets, I'm tellin ya!

 

From your explanation specially the helicopter noise you mentioned it sounds like your turbo is starting to go. Mine sounded the same like your saying before it died too!

 

I pulsing high pitched noise does not sound good. Did you check for shaft play both in - out and side-side?

Look for marks on the compressor cover inlet where the blades are and check the blades.

Make sure all of the bolts connecting the turbo to the mani and o2 housing are tight.