VW Golf M4 engine whistle

star.chaser

I have a VW Golf M4. I recently notice a change in the sound of the engine when idle. Slightly noisier. Also noise coming from the front right wheel arch area? Around the same time i began to get this noise just after I started the car. Similar noise to when you turn the key but it happens after you have started the car. Soon after, I noticed a whistle coming from the engine when the car is moving. The faster the car goes, the more high pitched the whistle gets. Any one have any ideas what it could be or know if these are connected?

Moanin

Whistle is normal if the car is either a TDi or GTI.This is the sound from the turbo

tossy

What engine is in it? im guessing turbo anyway,the side mounted intercooler is behind the front right wheel arch,you could have a boost leak.the pancake pipe from the intercooler could be hanging off,or punctured,is the car down on power slightly or a bit flat?if its a diesel is it any smokier than normal?

star.chaser

It's 1.4 comfortline. The car is 8 years old. All these problems only surfaced recently. Petrol engine. No change in power. Think i'll just get the garage to have a look at it. Thanks Anyway.

tossy

well that throws my prognosis out the window

Is the whistle defo coming from the engine and not the wheels i.e bearings or pads rubbing of discs slightly.

star.chaser

definately not the brake pads. could the wheel bearings cause a whistle? i've been thinking the noise around the front wheel arch could be the shocks?

Neilw

Does it only happen for about 30 seconds after starting from cold?

Mr Benevolent

Is the whistle there if you rev the engine in neutral? If not it rules out the engine as the source. Could be a wheel bearing.

Around the same time i began to get this noise just after I started the car. Similar noise to when you turn the key but it happens after you have started the car.

Is it a high whiny whirry sound that happens directly after you start the car and only stays for 2-3 seconds? If so it's a common VW problem.

lau1247

same thing happened to me..
although so far I have only heard it twice over period of about half year..

My one is not that much of a whistle, but rather a pitching sound for a short period, less than 20 second during driving (Like "yiiiiiiiiiiiii" - Never realised that it's this hard trying to put the sound of noise into writing :rolleyes:


Whenever I drive and comes up to a speed bump, if I press the brake (medium force exertion) AND there's pot hole (minor ones), it suddenly turn into kinda scraping action between the brake disc and the pad. Something like as if the disc have ice on it where the pad have little contact with it, therefore it's like sliding for a second..

Any other Golf MK4 people experiencing this?

Zube

lau1247 wrote: »

"yiiiiiiiiiiiii"

Fanbelt.

scraping action

Brake pads/discs?

crosstownk

Does the pitch of the whistle change with engine speed? If so it could be a number of things - fan belt, alternator, PAS pump but I'd have it checked in case it's the beginning of something dodgy with the water pump or timing belt tensioner.

star.chaser

Confab wrote: »

Is the whistle there if you rev the engine in neutral? If not it rules out the engine as the source. Could be a wheel bearing.



Is it a high whiny whirry sound that happens directly after you start the car and only stays for 2-3 seconds? If so it's a common VW problem.

No whistle when idle and the noise after start up is exactly how you describe. You say it's a common problem. Do you know what it is and how much it costs to rectify? Thanks again.

Neilw

star.chaser wrote: »

No whistle when idle and the noise after start up is exactly how you describe. You say it's a common problem. Do you know what it is and how much it costs to rectify? Thanks again.

If the sound is only there after startup from cold for around 20-30 seconds it could be the secondary air pump which is leaking.
This unit forces air through the cat to warm it up quicker to reduce emissions.

The unit can be replaced for several hundred euro's or repaired for about 2 euro's. It's riveted together and these rivets come loose allowing air to escape making the whistling noise. You need to remove the unit, drill out the rivets and replace them with nylock nut's and bolts.

star.chaser

Neilw wrote: »

If the sound is only there after startup from cold for around 20-30 seconds it could be the secondary air pump which is leaking.
This unit forces air through the cat to warm it up quicker to reduce emissions.

The unit can be replaced for several hundred euro's or repaired for about 2 euro's. It's riveted together and these rivets come loose allowing air to escape making the whistling noise. You need to remove the unit, drill out the rivets and replace them with nylock nut's and bolts.

thanks but its 2-3 seconds not 20-30. only happens sometimes as well. for example if i haven't used the car for a few days, it will make this noise when started but will not make it later on that day if i start it?

star.chaser

crosstownk wrote: »

Does the pitch of the whistle change with engine speed? If so it could be a number of things - fan belt, alternator, PAS pump but I'd have it checked in case it's the beginning of something dodgy with the water pump or timing belt tensioner.

Yes, the pitch changes with the speed. Had the fan belt done 20000 miles ago and the water pump and timing belt about 10000 miles ago.

FreeFallin

I have a problem with my MK4 that sounds very similar to this. It has turned out to be a problem in the back box of the exhaust, manufacturers fault. Since it was only put on new 2 weeks ago, I will not be charged, hope this helps!

crosstownk

I'm not being smart here - but I'd say let the problem develop. It's not causing any bother (yet!) so drive on and see if more symptoms develop which may aid any future diagnosis. The downside to this is the fault could possibly develop rapidly and lead to a breakdown. Just make sure you have the relevant breakdown/assistance numbers in your phone.

Personally, I'd let it develop.

star.chaser

Thanks for all the suggestions. Don't have to worry about it anymore. Some scumbag set fire to it the other night and reduced it to a charred black shell of a golf. Wouldn't have minded that much except for the insurance ran out recently :mad:

crosstownk

star.chaser wrote: »

Some scumbag set fire to it the other night and reduced it to a charred black shell of a golf. Wouldn't have minded that much except for the insurance ran out recently :mad:

Sorry to hear about that.

How did it happen?