2006 A4 2.0Q AT. Took delivery 11/30/2005, now has 900 miles on it. When I accelerate quickly and get the RPMs up high, I hear a whirling sound from the engine. Asked friends and they say it's probably the turbo, but I don't get any extra acceleration. Could it be a loose belt?

It' most likely the turbo, although you should feel the boost along with the whirring noise. Turbo can spin up, but if in too high a gear with low rpm's, you may not feel a simultaneous kick in performance. Do you have an auto or 6 spd?

D-

Dave, thanks for the reply. I have the automatic, and it's in the lower gear. I don't feel any special boost in performance though. The sound is a whirling sound, almost like a windy whistling sound.

Well, it's gonna spin up fairly easily even under mild acceleration, but yeh, you won't feel a real kick unless you jump on it while holding it in the lower gear using the manual shift feature.

I hear slight turbo whine constantly, but I use manual shift 100% of the time.

D-

that's what turbos sound like. the turbo works in conguction with the engine, the higher the rpm, the more exhaust gases and the faster the exit the cylinder, which is what spins the turbo. therefore, the higher the rmp, the faster the turbo will spin, the more air is pushed into the cylinders, and you will hear a lauder whine. if you put the windows down (not recommended when driving over 45mph due to the poor engineering of the a-pillar directing wind out of the cabin), you will be able to hear it a lot clearer.

Thanks for the info guys. I guess I'll chill out with the noise with the knowledge that it is the turbo (I'm pretty picky when it comes to noises in my cars.) With regard to the wind in the cabin, I was shocked when I first opened the sunroof all the way and drove away. Where were the engineers? That is lame. Other than that and the aweful gas mileage (which I'm told will improve) I love the car...

lenorro...tell me if this sounds familar...

i hear a similar noise i think...

when i hit the gas and reach 20 mph or so, i start to hear a really faint, high pitched whistling type sound...fain, like wind coming through the vents, but high pitched...i continue to hear it as long as i press on the gas and am going over 20 mph...

tell me what you think...

thanks...