Scirocco Central

Apologies for my ignorance here but this is the first time I’ve had a GT with turbo. When I accelerate I hear a raspy noise with what I can only describe as a ticking, like something’s vibrating. I just wondered if this is the normal sound from a turbo when it spools up? Should the noise disappear as I can hear mine during acceleration at all speeds. Since I’ve never had one before it’s difficult to tell what’s normal and what’s not. I find it annoying, well what I can hear at the moment anyway!

Hi, i have a similar thing on my 2.0 tsi. kind of like a rattlesnake in the engine when i engine brake and accelerate through a certain rev range. Some googling suggested it is a loose waste gate actuator arm and VW sell a clip to stop the rattle part number 06j145220a.

Youtube 'tsi wastegate rattle'. the clip softens the rattle from the arm but doesn't deal with the actual issue which is the seal that the arm is attached to within the turbo that maintains and releases pressure continues to work loose and starts leaking boost. this can throw up a fault code. Youtube 'does tsi have a bad turbo' by the user humblemechanic for a better explanation and see if these sound similar to what you are experiencing.

i had mine checked out by two independent mechanics and i've been told i need a new turbo as the turbo and wastegate are not separate on these cars.

hopefully you get better news!

Thanks so much, this has been really helpful. I've had the car almost 3 months and the noise has been driving me crazy. I've had it into two garages and they've both said they cant find nor hear anything, at one point I thought I was going mad. In fact, I even test drove a bogey green turbo scirocco with Arnold Clark purely to hear if the noise was similar. I could hear it but it was very very faint, unlike mine. Now I know it could be the wastegate, I've just read some horror stories that the whole turbo needs replaced ( just like you were told). Whats the cost in a full replacement?

Presumably if its not a safety recall then the car and the turbo is still ok to continue driving and the only "harm" being done is to our frustration?

I have only had the car for 7 months myself but aside from the ticking there's been no effect on performance. The only reason I'm going for the new turbo is because in the last month it's been getting worse.

I made a point of not steering the garages by telling them "might be the wastegate" and asked them to just diagnose the rattling. I guess I'd have to be quite unfortunate to have both garages try it on with the same diagnosis!

I suppose it's something you can live with until the engine starts throwing up fault codes and the engine management light comes on.

My best quote to replace was just over £1,200 including the vat and labour. £800 for the turbo plus fitting kit and £210 for 3.5hrs labour to fit it. That's a brand new unit from VW, fitted at my local, you could probably get I'd done for less if you go for a refurbished unit but to me its worth a bit extra to get a brand new unit.

Fingers crossed for you it's more straightforward.

I’d be p***ed if i need to change the whole turbo when the car has only done 29,000miles. I think I’d kick up a stink with the garage I bought it from, even though it’s out of its 2 month standard warranty. But it really does sound like the wastegate actuator from the video links.