Turbo 'whoosh'

[vanvliet]

Friend is poised to buy a Bongo from a dealer near Oxford .After test drive she described a loud 'whooshing' noise on acceleration ( not deceleration) . This is presumably from the Turbo . Should she walk away or is it likely to be an easy fix?

She also asked for a BIMTA cert but this does not seem to be forthcoming I thought that all reputable dealers were offering them as dealers can have the check carried out for much less dosh than a member of the public

[bigdaddycain]

Could she just be hearing the turbo boosting van? It's quite noticeable with a bongo, if she's not accustomed to the sound, it may be a bit disconcerting. if the boost pipe had come loose, i'm sure the lack of performance would be very noticeable indeed.

There may be a K&N fitted, which makes the turbo sound more prominant still...

[Tizzle]

Mine is the standard 2.5td and I'm pretty sure that it doesn't 'whoosh'. Should it? It seems to accelerate pretty fast and has reached 95mph before (on a private track of course ). Is a lack of 'whoosh' an issue I should be investigating??

[bigdaddycain]

It's a matter of personal opinion really tizzle? one person's whoosh, may be anothers hiss I can hear a whooshing/hissing sound from the turbo on mine, from 1800-2500 rpm depending on load. On a slight incline hold it at 2350 RPM...you'll definitely hear it.

[Tizzle]

Ok thanks, I'm going to listen out for it next time I'm driving the Bongo. I guess it's a bit more subtle than the boy-racer's p-tchsssssssssssssss!!!!!!! that I often hear (as they're trying to run me over)...

[bigdaddycain]

yep, its quite a bit more subtle than that!

[helen&tony]

Hi
Shame, really, mine's a fairly "mousey" sssss , whereas I adore the sound of a GMC blower atop a BEEEG V8 when you throw the switch.....AAaahhh....a veritable symphony on wheels
Cheers
Helen

[mikeonb4c]

Hi
Shame, really, mine's a fairly "mousey" sssss , whereas I adore the sound of a GMC blower atop a BEEEG V8 when you throw the switch.....AAaahhh....a veritable symphony on wheels
Cheers
Helen

I'm with BDC. I notice mine most though when road speed, and hence wind noise, road rumble etc. are low (say up to 30mph) and the Bongo engine revs are increasing as it accelarates through the gears. Once it locks out in top and speed stabilises, I don't tend to notice it. Just occasionally, I fret in case I have a sheared stud but don't know how to recognise the sound that makes, then I read a thread like this and think - nope - its just the turbo.

[helen&tony]

Hi Mike
Those that have defined the broken stud noise describe it as a whistle of increasing pitch as the engine speeds up, or a buzz, sounding in the same manner. Sometimes this noise disappears as the engine warms up, as everything expands and temporarily seals the gap.....but this is as long as it hasn't been left. I didn't notice any noise at all with my broken stud....I just popped the hood one day, and there it wasn't....and come to think of it, I don't think it ever was. A local mechanic fixed it in about an hour all in....and that's including his ancient mother dragging him out of his mid- afternoon snooze . The best thing is just check it from time to time.
Regarding the turbo....it's only VERY occasionally that I hear it, and it's more of a weedy zzzuzzz, and I have checked its function once......must get a racey - poo boost gauge.....banks of dials always improve the car's speed and function.
Cheers
Helen

[mikeonb4c]

Hi Mike
Those that have defined the broken stud noise describe it as a whistle of increasing pitch as the engine speeds up, or a buzz, sounding in the same manner. Sometimes this noise disappears as the engine warms up, as everything expands and temporarily seals the gap.....but this is as long as it hasn't been left. I didn't notice any noise at all with my broken stud....I just popped the hood one day, and there it wasn't....and come to think of it, I don't think it ever was. A local mechanic fixed it in about an hour all in....and that's including his ancient mother dragging him out of his mid- afternoon snooze . The best thing is just check it from time to time.
Regarding the turbo....it's only VERY occasionally that I hear it, and it's more of a weedy zzzuzzz, and I have checked its function once......must get a racey - poo boost gauge.....banks of dials always improve the car's speed and function.
Cheers
Helen

Thanks Helen - that's very useful. I'll pop the hood and take a peek. Haven't popped it for a while so it's due a pop

[vanvliet]

Thanks for the replies I will let her check out all of the suggestions .

My machine does not make any noises like whooshing or squeals which is why I thought I'd best check..
I now have coolant /temp alarms /replacement silicon pipes ( 9 , I think) , new water pump and new timing belt kit. All preventative stuff.
Bet my exhaust stud has got wind of this and is in the process of shearing as I type - - - -

[Ralph]

No ours just pulled like a train, no change in noise never
took it over 80 on the clock but lots of peddle left at that.
Our last Rover had a very slight turbo whistle or whine but
the Bongo had non that I could ear.

[Peg leg Pete]

Our Bongo has a slight woosh sound when the turbo kicks in

[Rob101]

yup ours makes a noise like air being sucked in too.. i use it as a guide to fuel consumption on long hauls : hear the hiss=lift off a bit

[nfn]

Some bongo turbos seem to be whooshier or hissier than others: it's quite noticable on mine if there isn't too much wind noise, road noise or a large bottom on the front passenger seat to cover it up. I have checked and re-checked all of the air hoses for leaks, but can't find any problems. It has whooshed for over 35,000km without any change in the sound over time -- so I figure that the noise might be warped turbo impeller blades (not a big deal). So unless it's unusually loud, it should not be a problem when looking to buy a bongo.

To answer the other part of the question -- with no BIMTA mileage cert it would be good to pay particular attention to parts that tend to show wear: steering wheel, pedals, driver's seat edge, etc. As far as I'm aware, these typically only start to show much wear beyond about 60,000 miles on bongos. It is also a good idea to make sure that the driver's seat or pedal rubbers have not been replaced recently: i.e., no wear at all on pedals is suspicious, and the fabric on all seats should match on close inspection.