I have a 2001 A4 Quattro with a 1.8t and a high piched whining sound just started while the car is cold once it warms up after about a minute it goes away and sounds like it is coming from the turbo area and doesn't change with the rpm's if anyone knows anything about this i would greatly appreciate that knowledge

Put some lube on your tensioner belts to be sure it's not that, and try to go to the engine bay and locate the sound. Does it increase when you rev it?

This is your secondary air pump ( normal thing )... if it's to noisy maybe the pump is bad ( get it check ) ... not a expensive part to change and easy to diy ...

are you kidding? its $350 for a new one. whats your definition of expensive? especially for a part that basically does nothing for me

welcome to the world of german imports

whining coming from the turbo means your turbo is on the way out. it normally is described as sounding like a dentists drill. the SAP is not near the turbo.

I have this same problem I always thought it was just the car warming up. Now that ive read this im scared my turbo is on its way out.... But I do have a CEL for my SAI what are the chances its that and not the turbo?

No need for a new one since like you said, this part doesn't do much ... I got a use one for less then 100$ ... and if the noise only last for a minute, this is not the turbo, it's the SAP and yes it's close from the turbo, it's on the same side near the DV.

no it doesnt change with rpm's and i will try some lube first off if its not that sounds like a secondary air pump thanks for the advice

I have this too on my 02' S4. The noise only comes on cold and usually lasts from 30 seconds to 1 minute. The noise does not change when reved. It is just warming up and goes away. The location is far from the turbos and actully...at least with mine. If it is the same as mine, the nest time open the hood before starting and look to see if the noise is coming from a disc-shaped object on top of the engine toward the back. You may even be able to feel the vibration/noise if you put your hand on this disc.
Now that it is warmer here, i never hear it anymore...until next winter.

If it does come from the turbos, it may be a bad recirculation valve. I had this on my 06' A4. That did not start until the car is warmed up and pressure is built up. Luckily for me, the part was in the process of a recall and I did not have to pay for the replacement. However, this does not sound like your situation, so may not have to stress about the turbos.