Had my 2007 (57) vRS with 38,000 miles and full Skoda history (fixed) for two months now.

No turbo whistle / police siren at all, not even a hint, until today that is.

After some hard acceleration I now have the loud police siren as the turbo spools up in every gear

How long do you reckon I've got?

Under warranty so no worries, get it booked in!!

I bought from a private dealer with a 12 month aftermarket warranty.

I thought about booking it in but I suspect Skoda will tell me that it's within their 'parameters'.

The reason I'm thinking this is that I've read on here that some turbo's seem to whistle from new?

The wife's PD140 Octavia Scout has always had a faint whistle, but not as loud as the one I now have on the vRS.

No doubt the warranty company will tell me they won't replace it until it actually fails?

Think you are right though jrw, probably worth me paying for my dealer to check it out...

I bought from a private dealer with a 12 month aftermarket warranty.

I thought about booking it in but I suspect Skoda will tell me that it's within their 'parameters'.

The reason I'm thinking this is that I've read on here that some turbo's seem to whistle from new?

The wife's PD140 Octavia Scout has always had a faint whistle, but not as loud as the one I now have on the vRS.

No doubt the warranty company will tell me they won't replace it until it actually fails?

Think you are right though jrw, probably worth me paying for my dealer to check it out...

hmmm private dealer, is it a warranty plan or just something that the dealer offer....as in if it breaks, they will pay to fix?

Either way it may be worth seeing if it gets worse as you have 10months left, but check that the turbo is covered if you have any warranty terms...

The Bora has always had a whistle but nothing like a siren, just a nice whistle and faint dump valve noise when lifting off the throttle.

Edited 16 December, 201114 yr by jrw

It's a proper warranty, a company called Autoguard.

I've read the terms and conditions and is does specifically mention 'mechanical breakdown', which I'm not sure is a requirement met with a noisy turbo.

However it does also say "if the vehicle shows signs of an imminent failure do not continue to use it."

Claim value is set at a maximum of £1000.

Good point though, 10 months to go so plenty of time to see if it gets worse.

It's a proper warranty, a company called Autoguard.

I've read the terms and conditions and is does specifically mention 'mechanical breakdown', which I'm not sure is a requirement met with a noisy turbo.

However it does also say "if the vehicle shows signs of an imminent failure do not continue to use it."

Claim value is set at a maximum of £1000.

Good point though, 10 months to go so plenty of time to see if it gets worse.

ooh £1000 won't get you anywhere near a new turbo at a Skoda dealer! My mate has just had one on his PD130 by an Indy and that cost him £1200 fitted. The turbo on its own was £1200 from VW.

Best take it to a VAG specialist who is Au Fait with Warranty claims so they can put a claim in for your 'blown' turbo

ooh £1000 won't get you anywhere near a new turbo at a Skoda dealer!

Thought as much.

There is a well recommended VAG specialist in York (Roger Holmes) so I might get him to take a look.

Thanks jrw, you've given me some good advice there

Thought as much.

There is a well recommended VAG specialist in York (Roger Holmes) so I might get him to take a look.

Thanks jrw, you've given me some good advice there

Yeah I know Midland VW by me know all about warranty companies so if you can find one like that, great.

Mates turbo just went when he was giving it some beans coming out the toll booths on the M6 toll Then VW assistance recovery home, then a recovery truck to take the car to mechanics mates garage (mechanic we use is a mobile one) and then took 3 turbos before the parts company sent the right one!

There should be a number on the turbo. If you get that of it you should get the correct one first time.

There should be a number on the turbo. If you get that of it you should get the correct one first time.

They had all that but still sent the wrong ones!

Had my 2007 (57) vRS with 38,000 miles and full Skoda history (fixed) for two months now.

No turbo whistle / police siren at all, not even a hint, until today that is.

After some hard acceleration I now have the loud police siren as the turbo spools up in every gear

How long do you reckon I've got?

I don't want to get your hopes up, but are you 100% sure its not just an air hose split or popped off at one of the joints? It can happen.

I've not done any visual inspection, it only started whistling yesterday.

It's booked in on Monday at a VAG specialist in York. I'll get them to take a look and see if they can diagnose a fault.

Only then will the warranty company entertain a claim.

I may also check with Skoda UK, perhaps there may be a goodwill offer? 4 years / 40,000 miles, full Skoda history?

Fingers crossed for Monday!

Ive heard of these turbo's doing this and lasting forever and then some do it and blow instantly

If it had done it from the beginning I'd be less concerned. The fact it suddenly arrived after giving it some beans worries me.

Well had it looked at today by the local VAG specialist.

First thing he did was pop the bonnet and check the oil. It was a little low - half way down the dipstick.

I'd checked it yesterday and noticed it was below MAX (see my oil thread )

Anyway he topped it up (Quantum 5W30 VW 507) and took me for a spin, he acknowledged the siren noise and told me it wasn't loud enough to worry about. If it gets worse or the noise changes bring it back.

He mentioned that turbo's do tend to get a little more vocal as they age. Worryingly there was a rack of old Garret turbo's in the workshop, all with either loose or seized impellers. I asked for a rough quote for a new one on mine if it went pop and he said about £900. They source their turbo's (brand new, not reconditioned) direct from the supplier.

So I guess I'll have to live with the police following me every time I accelerate until things change. A little worried about the lack of oil, this looks like it might be the first car I have ever owned that uses oil. I must get into the habit of checking more often.

full retail on a skoda unit is £699.35+vat (£839.22 inc) so you should come in below the £1000 threshold

Wow, it seems prices have come down recently then. The VAG specialist I spoke to yesterday said that VAG turbo's were a lot less expensive than they used to be.

Unfortuantly he also said that these aftermarket warranties (like the one I have) aren't always worth the paper they are written on as most of them argue the old 'wear and tear' line especially when it comes to turbo's.

Only time will tell. If the whistling gets worse mine will be going back in to be checked.

Had my 2007 (57) vRS with 38,000 miles and full Skoda history (fixed) for two months now.

No turbo whistle / police siren at all, not even a hint, until today that is.

After some hard acceleration I now have the loud police siren as the turbo spools up in every gear

How long do you reckon I've got?

Mine's got a similar whistle and I've had mine 6 months. I've done about 12,500 miles in mine already. I havent had a turbo let go yet!

It's booked into Skoda next week, I'll see what they say.

Even passengers comment on it too now, something in the turbo has altered, I just don't know what.

Thing is even if I knew it was still good for many more miles I'm not sure I could live with the noise

Assuming a turbo swap must be at least two hours labour then I'm fairly sure I won't beat £80!

Garage just rung.

Turbo has 'excessive play' and is 'leaking oil', needs replacing.

£1400

To wear so soon (4 years / 38,000 miles) sounds very premature to me.

Service from DM Keith in York very good though, they are contacting my third party warranty on my behalf and they have already approached Skoda UK to enquire about a goodwill gesture.

They also said I shouldn't drive the car as if the turbo fails completely then there may be subsequent damage to the engine. Supposed to be back at work on Tuesday

Warranty company have agreed to pay the maximum claim amount for my policy (£1000).

Autoguard wanted to send out a technician to examine the car but in the end (being New Year etc.) they took DM Keiths word for it.

A new turbo was ordered this afternoon on an urgent delivery for tomorrow, so should hopefully have it back tomorrow night.

Fingers crossed Skoda UK can also contribute towards the remaining £475...

how much are they charging for labour?

Not too sure, they told me they don't have hourly rates as such, they use menu pricing.

It seems that a turbo swap for a 2.0 TDi PD vRS is approx £1400, plus the initial diagnostics they had to do (£75).

I'd certainly be keen to negotiate the price down a little because if Skoda decide not to contribute then I'll be paying any costs above the £1000 claim limit from the warranty company.

I dont understand how a turbo with 38k and 4 years can fail WTF!!

I'm sorry people but Skoda's are not THAT reliable.