Went for a ride with a cow-orker today. He drives an old T-bird turbo coupe. I was struck by how noticeable the turbo sound was, and it occurred to me that I don't think I've ever heard the turbo in my A4 ('01 1.8T). Should I? Is it a "no sound is a good sound" kind of thing, or is it possible my turbo's dead? I just bought the car a month ago and I've never driven a turbo before, so I'm not sure what to expect. Can a turbo fail w/o any drama (or a CEL)?

 

It will sound like a dentists drill or a police siren when they fail, so you will know it. Those old T-birds have a turbo 3X the size of yours, but about the same amount of boost pressure. His is also a journal bearing turbo which tend to be more noticeable because they wind up slower.

 

theres also a strong possibility his come stock with a blow off valve, wich is the sound ur most likely hearing.

 

I watched a guy in a T-bird Turbo Coupe win a burn out contest one time, i was just a little kid but i distinctly remember how loud the turbo was. The prize for winning was new tires, which he desperately needed lol

 

If your A4 is still stock then you aren't really going to notice the turbo all that much. If your turbo was dead you would know it because it would be making less then 100 hp and be slow as hell.