my car has about 115,000 on the stock turbo. right before it starts to boost (partial throttle) there is a high pitched whining noise,its not very loud but definently noticable. then goes away once boost builds up. should i be concerned?

 

is it possible to record it / take a video? do you have a stock airbox or cone intake?

 

Are there any modifications done to the car?

 

My turbo starting doing the dentist drill sound before it died. It would start when i pressed on the gas before boost (boost gauge showed about 10-0 mmhg) is when it sounded until it went to boost then it would boost max about 12psi.

Then it died, leaking oil into my intake system and ate a bunch of oil. I had 138K miles and replacing it now with a GTRS.

 

As said, a recording of the sound would do wonders for diagnosing this problem... But by the description, it does sound like the seals in the turbocharger are starting to let go. But the sound will needed to prove this theory.

 

i will try to take a sound clip today on my way to work. it soes have a cone filter, but is otherwise stock.

 

The cone filter is why you can hear the turbo. If it doesn't distinctly sound like a dentist drill then you are fine. A little whine/whistle/buzz is definitely normal with an intake. How long have you had the car?

 

i had no luck getting a sound clip. it kind of sounds like a dog wistle so a camera wont pick up the audio. anyway, ive had the car for a little over two years. the intake has been on for like a year, and the wistle hasnt really gotten any worse, so im guessing its just normal.

 

Yeah don't worry. But at 100k+ miles, you never know. If it's not chipped then you should have quite a bit of life left in the turbo.