Now I've had over 4 years of trouble free motoring, I think it's time for me to have a few bits go wrong. Last week I had a front bearing done and now there's other things on the way.

Firstly, I've noticed the turbo is a lot louder than it used to be. When cold, there is a much more noticeable, higher pitched whistle that is audible from within the car. This had been increasing for a few weeks now. There is no noticeable drop in performance, but perhaps there's a bit of psychological trickery going on as I'm sure it's a tiny, tiny bit slower.

The other issue which has cropped up at the same time and is increasing in volume is a rattle. I've done a search and it sounds like the heat shield round the cat, or one of the exhaust mounts rusting. If I take the car up the rev range, there is quite a loud rattle as they drop back past 4000rpm and then it dies off. However, going over bumps at low speed there is a very clear rattle also.

Now I'm aware that things come in threes, so I may have three issues to sort. However, I was wondering if any of you had experienced the same issues at the same time?

My searching makes me think :

1. Boost leak somewhere.

2. Heat shield/exhaust mount.

3. Suspension bushes.

The car is an 06 plate with 37000 on the clock. As usual, thanks in advance for your help.

Now I've had over 4 years of trouble free motoring, I think it's time for me to have a few bits go wrong. Last week I had a front bearing done and now there's other things on the way.

Firstly, I've noticed the turbo is a lot louder than it used to be. When cold, there is a much more noticeable, higher pitched whistle that is audible from within the car. This had been increasing for a few weeks now. There is no noticeable drop in performance, but perhaps there's a bit of psychological trickery going on as I'm sure it's a tiny, tiny bit slower.

The other issue which has cropped up at the same time and is increasing in volume is a rattle. I've done a search and it sounds like the heat shield round the cat, or one of the exhaust mounts rusting. If I take the car up the rev range, there is quite a loud rattle as they drop back past 4000rpm and then it dies off. However, going over bumps at low speed there is a very clear rattle also.

Now I'm aware that things come in threes, so I may have three issues to sort. However, I was wondering if any of you had experienced the same issues at the same time?

My searching makes me think :

1. Boost leak somewhere.

2. Heat shield/exhaust mount.

3. Suspension bushes.

The car is an 06 plate with 37000 on the clock. As usual, thanks in advance for your help.

Mine had the same issue with the exhaust mounting when it was two days out of warranty and had only done 9K

Still it was a good (enough) excuse to bin it and get a 2.75" Miltec turbo back

Mine had the same issue with the exhaust mounting when it was two days out of warranty and had only done 9K

Still it was a good (enough) excuse to bin it and get a 2.75" Miltec turbo back

I wish I had the cash. :'( Where did the rattle sound like it was coming from? Mine is near the front, or under the gearstick or towards the bulkhead somewhere. It's very hard to tell really.

Anyone else got anything on the turbo whistle?

I wish I had the cash. :'( Where did the rattle sound like it was coming from? Mine is near the front, or under the gearstick or towards the bulkhead somewhere. It's very hard to tell really.

Anyone else got anything on the turbo whistle?

Thats the mounting defo....... you can fix it easy enough with just a couple of jubilee clips if you can't get it welded

I just told the missus it was beyond repair so I could get the Miltec

Thats the mounting defo....... you can fix it easy enough with just a couple of jubilee clips if you can't get it welded

I just told the missus it was beyond repair so I could get the Miltec

Nice line. I must try that one myself some time. Unfortunately, after years of me talking about cars, SWMBO is pretty clued up now, so I can't get away with much.

I'll have a look next week and get under the car to see what's what.

I've got a rattle similar to what you describe, only noticed it yesterday driving at low speeds in 1st gear and reverse on a petrol station forecourt, it sounded like a heatshield rubbing somewhere so looked underneath and it looks like I've clouted a rock or speed hump over the weekend and it's stoved in the front of the heatshield on the cat, which has pushed it up so it's almost in contact with the exhaust in front of the cat. When I pull away the exhaust is vibrating enough to touch it and make the annoying rattle. Hoping to get it on stands at the weekend and bend it back to shape with some mole grips but thats if the weather bucks up!

Fingers crossed it is something simple then. I'll get a couple of jubilee clips in readiness for next week and get the mole grips out in case the heat shield need bending back. I won't have time this week to have a look as the car's being used every day 'till next Tuesday. Thanks for the info so far.