I have recently purchased a 2006 Octavia 2.0 diesel 140 bhp automatic. I have noticed at low revs it sounds like a distant police siren. Also when I kick down a puff of darkish smoke comes out the exhaust. I know this is common on diesels but have also heard turbo could be on way out. There is no loss of power and the drive is smooth and the engine responsive. As I have only owned the car for a month I am still unfamiliar to noises which may be common in this model but need to have some idea if there is trouble ahead so I can get it back to the Skoda dealership where purchased whilst under warrenty. Any help here would be of great assistance.

Did you test drive before purchase? I probably wouldn't have gone ahead based on the 'police siren' - a bit too risky really. Some owners report their car has been like this for x thousand miles with no ill effects. Others have suffered premature turbo failure...

Put simply, the turbo should not make this noise and it typically appears as the turbo spools up and starts to deliver boost - so 1700-2200 roughly on a PD140 Octy. It could indicate an issue with turbo vanes.

I would take it back to the dealership and ask to drive another Octy with the same engine. I would lodge the issue with them that you're not happy with the noises made. The best option for you would either be a turbo replacement under warranty for your peace of mind, or to swap the car - especially as you've only recently bought the car.

Turbo's do whistle.

Some more than others.

Peoples perception of what is 'normal' or what is 'acceptable' are often very different.

My 2.0 PD140 has whistled from new, only very faintly but its there.

My 2.0 PD170 never used to whistle (or at least my hearing couldn't pick it up) but has since had a new turbo fitted that does whistle, but only when the engine is cold.

Skoda will check the turbo and claim it is within tolerance, whistling or no whistling.

"They all do that sir"

That's why I would use another vehicle at the dealership for comparison. Rather knocks out the 'they all do that' excuse then.

It is a tricky one for sure, which is why I'd have walked away! You end up arguing the toss between whistling and a full on siren noise, and definitions of normal and acceptable :|

I think the police siren is vastly different to the turbo whistle.

A few nights when I've gone to bed I've heard a car with a faulty trubo leaving our street - it is plainly obvious there is something wrong with it judging by the screaming it makes

I was in a very similar position with a Mk1 Leon Cupra TDI I went to look at. Everything else was great, it had been cared for BUT it made a very obvious siren noise on spool-up. The owner said he'd had it checked and it was fine - but it was just too much of a gamble.

Plus it would have been annoying to hear on every journey and also embarrassing with passengers in the car!

I took a rough dirt road in my old Kia, once. (2.2 CRDi, MY10)

Came off the dirt road, noticed a turbo whine.

Had it checked out by the dealership, but apparently all was fine.

Went on to do 25,000 more km before trade-in on Octy vRS.

That turbo whine sounded awesome, though.

Here's what my Turbo sounded like when I bought my car (soon replaced under warranty). It didn't stop me from buying the car as I knew I'd get a new turbo once I bought the car

Quite handy, brand new turbo!

Okay cheers people The car is off back to the garage next week so hopefully will be sorted under the warranty.

Great news ! Got to dealership and was told a tech would go with me for a test drive. He reversed it drove forward 10 yds, stopped, said that'll do, yup turbo is too noisy.Arranged a booking date for new turbo to be fitted under warranty, no quibbles. Great customer support.

Good result

Nice. That's a good result and by the sounds of it a very reasonable and fair dealer.

Sherlodge garage in Gillingham Kent !

Further to my thread starter for which I'm grateful for your advise. My Octavia goes in tomorrow for the new turbo to be fitted and I was wondering if I should have a check list of anything that should be changed along with it, ie should they change the oil ? Is anything else damaged, affected by the turbo being defective ? Also I have noticed as I have mentioned I think excessive exhaust emissions when accelerating hard (ish), I'm not a boy racer, too old ! Is this because of the turbo ? I want to go to the garage fully armed with knowledge so I can get all put right ! Any info, tips all greatly appreciated please. Is fuel efficiency affected as well, what should the car return sitting at 70 on the motorway ??? Cheers !

Yes an oil change should be done. Also make sure they fit a new oil feed pipe to the turbo. The smoke you are getting is because of the knackered turbo. Hopefully you won't have this after.

Good luck.

Great, thanks !