Q5 PHEV whining noise from combustion engine

[Andrew nothappychappy]

I bought a brand new Q5 PHEV in December 2023. Runs fine on electric. With combustion engine there's a whining noise whenever I accelerate; it clears when ease off the throttle. Comes at different speed levels. After lots of hassle, and the car with the dealer for over a week, the response from Audi is "it's a characteristic of the car". The dealer says it's noise from the turbo. If that's the case, it's a poor design or a faulty turbo, but the dealer's having nothing of it. 

 

It's driving me mad. I have an open case with Audi but am getting nowhere. I'm close to rejecting the car and fighting to get my money back. 

Has anyone else experienced this? In desperation.... Andrew

 

[Andrew nothappychappy]

Hi Jasonj and thank you. In reply:

 

1

[Andrew nothappychappy]

Yes, from the moment I left the forecourt. It happens just when in combustion, so if I change to combustion before moving off, I still get it. They have tested the turbo and said it's coming from there, but there's nothing wrong with it, it's just a "characteristic" of the car. 

[granthosie]

G’day Andrew,

We just picked our Q5 55 up a week or so ago and I notice the same high pitched whining noise, though I suspect mine is from the electric motor.

I’ve not noticed it when in pure combustion mode.

it is very loud and I seem to be able to replicate it when the engine is under load, I.e up a hill, higher gear acceleration etc.

have you had any luck with Audi?

[Andrew nothappychappy]

Hi. That’s interesting as mine definitely is OK with pure electric and I only hear it with the combustion engine.

 

Hi. That’s interesting as mine definitely is OK with pure electric and I only hear it with the combustion engine.

 

I am getting nowhere with either the dealer or Audi UK. The dealer is the worst I have ever come across. Tetbury Audi. Don’t touch them with a bar pole. Completely disinterested now they’ve sold me the car.

 

with either the dealer or Audi UK. The dealer is the worst I have ever come across. Tetbury Audi. Don’t touch them with a bar pole. Completely disinterested now they’ve sold me the car.

 

Audi UK are fobbing me off saying it is a characteristic of the car and to take it up with the dealer. They are refusing to give me any of the assurances I have requested.

 

I am so disappointed but I’m not going to give up. I would be interested to hear of other peoples experiences with Audi UK.

[JMKC82]

Hi,

I have a 2020 Q5 55.  I don't get this whining noise.  I also suspect it could be from the turbo.

I'm sure the engine (and everything else), has changed in the last 3-4 years.  Just also wondering if they have reduced on the insulation / noise dampening?  Could be my car is making the same noise, just that i'm not hearing it (or i'm going deaf).

If you want to double check it yourself, you could take it to a Rolling Road (someone who does remaps).  I'm not asking you to do a remap or rev the engine hard or anything.  Just put it on the rolling road and ask them to stick their computer on it, and then rev the car up gently (or how you wish), and you should be able to hear the noise and directly compare with the Turbo boost.  If it matches, there you have it.  You won't void the warranty, as you are not actually doing any work to the car (unless you get a remap :D).

I hope you can get it sorted.

Thanks, Joe