Loud Boom/Humming Noise from Sprinter at 2000rpm.

[ringway]

2001 Sprinter 313CDI.

My Sprinter is making a very deep, loud, boom/humming noise, the sort you'd expect to hear (and feel) if the baffles in the exhaust had corroded away.

The noise is at the front end of the van.

I had a genuine full MB exhaust a year ago and have had this checked out and tightened at my local MB commercial dealer but the noise still remains.

The noise can be produced at will by driving just below and above the 2000 rpm mark and is getting progressively worse.


Power isn't what it used to be either.


Any advice greatly appreciated.


Paul.

 

[corned]

An old Pug 406 of ours did something similar IIRC. Holed front pipe which the local garage managed to weld up, luckily.

I think the boom was the resonance of the exhaust gases passing over the hole at certain velocities, i.e. engine revs.

Best get an accomplice rev the thing up as you venture underneath...

You could always bring it along on Sunday...?

 

[ringway]

Thanks Keith.

I'm told all joins on exhaust are spot on so there may well be a hole somewhere, possibly not visible from underneath.

 

[AndyPCD]

I would check all the hoses for the turbo system especially the ones to the intercooler from the noise you describe it sounds like one may have popped off

 

[BlackC55]

The air filter could be loose too.

 

[ringway]

I had the viscous fan replaced about a week ago by Enza MB commercial dealer in Warrington.

I took the van back becuse it was losing coolant. The explanation was that a hose had split at the end, so was trimmed off and replaced. If they'd have asked me I would have requested a new hose.

The noise was present before the fan change but has worsened markedly in the last 3-4 days.


Many Thanks Guys.

 

[ringway]

Had some time today to investigate the cause further and after running the engine have found the noise is coming from the turbo.

Here are a few pictures of the turbo.

Am i correct in thinking I should take the van to a specialist turbo outfit rather than my MB commercial dealer.

I think a specialist may do a better job checking the pipes etc before installation.

Any ideas on cost of a fitted replacement?

I'm hoping it may just be the oil seals that have become faulty.



TIA.

Paul.

 

[walsi]

Hi ya, maybe a stupid question but what makes you think the turbo is knackered?, if the oil seals had gone the engine would have been smoking to the extent that you wouldnt be able to see behind you and if the bearings had gone the veins would have touched the body and they dont seem damaged from the photo. Like i said may be stupid questions but would hate to think you fitted a new turbo for no reason.

Cheers Martin

P.S how did you conclude that the turbo was making the noise?

 

[ringway]

Hi ya, maybe a stupid question but what makes you think the turbo is knackered?, if the oil seals had gone the engine would have been smoking to the extent that you wouldnt be able to see behind you and if the bearings had gone the veins would have touched the body and they dont seem damaged from the photo. Like i said may be stupid questions but would hate to think you fitted a new turbo for no reason.

Cheers Martin

P.S how did you conclude that the turbo was making the noise?

Thanks Martin,

Having been assured the exhaust is spot on I was convinced the noise was coming from the air filter box but after thoroughly checking that and it being okay I used a stethoscope and the noise does come from the turbo area.

I can't think of any other source for the noise other than the exhaust being faulty (genuine full MB system 1 year ago).

Any ideas much appreciated.

Regards,

Paul.

 

[johnt6213]

Are you sure its not yor bottom end i would look down the turbo route

 

[johnt6213]

Good luck

 

[grober]

I guess you could have a damaged impeller on the exhaust side. I assume none of the pictures show that since you would have to remove the turbocharger to inspect it. A n experienced turbo specialist should be able to give you a diagnosis before you start spending money.

 

[ringway]

I guess you could have a damaged impeller on the exhaust side. I assume none of the pictures show that since you would have to remove the turbocharger to inspect it. A n experienced turbo specialist should be able to give you a diagnosis before you start spending money.

Thanks Graeme.

I just can't find any other possible source for the noise, so I think a trip to a specialist is the only way to go.

 

[rizzer]

We had a 2001 vito that had a similar problem. It turned out to be the intercooler pipe which had split. Good luck sorting it.

 

[walsi]

Hi ya, i was just going to suggest the same thing, your turbo is spinning that fast that i dont think it would drone but would make more of a high pitched scream

 

[ringway]

Hi ya, i was just going to suggest the same thing, your turbo is spinning that fast that i dont think it would drone but would make more of a high pitched scream

It makes a definite deep humming/droning noise.

If the exhaust was old I'd swear it was the baffles that were shot.

 

[walsi]

What about the clutch because they have these new type dual mass flywheels which i dont know a lot about, could this be causing the droning?? Im grabbing at straws here, its one thing diagnosing things that you can see but noises can come from the strangest of places and be hard to find

Cheers Martin

 

[ringway]

What about the clutch because they have these new type dual mass flywheels which i dont know a lot about, could this be causing the droning?? Im grabbing at straws here, its one thing diagnosing things that you can see but noises can come from the strangest of places and be hard to find

Cheers Martin

Clutch has only done 30,000 miles so will be okay.

The noise does come from the turbo down the exhaust pipe so rear of the turbo or the exhaust.

The van has been looked at by Enza MB Commercials in Warrington (they fitted the exhaust) and they can't put their finger on the problem.

Makes you wonder why they haven't jumped at the chance to diagnose and install a new turbo though.

Cheers,

Paul.

 

[walsi]

Proberly because they dont think its the turbo either but really dont know what it is or they think its the exhaust and dont want to admit it. Good luck, i know these sort of noises can drive you mad

Cheers Martin

 

[ringway]

Yup, the exhaust being faulty and the dealer shying away from that had crossed my mind.