VW Amarok Turbo Issues: Symptoms and Solutions

I had a very similar issue with my 2019 VW Tiguan diesel. Having some experience with turbo-related problems, those symptoms immediately made me think of boost control issues. The symptoms matched exactly what you described, poor acceleration, whistling noise, and the engine light warning. The boost pressure was inconsistent, causing the performance problems you mentioned. After visiting my regular workshop, they diagnosed a faulty electrical bypass valve on the turbocharger. The diagnostic process included checking boost pressure readings and testing the turbo actuator response. The total repair cost was 250€, which included parts and labor. The fix completely resolved the issues, no more whistling, proper boost control was restored, and fuel efficiency returned to normal. The engine ran smoothly again at idle. To provide more specific advice for your case, could you share: Any error codes from the engine light? Does the whistling noise occur at specific RPM ranges? Have you noticed any smoke from the exhaust? Has there been any recent maintenance work done? These details would help determine if your Amarok is facing the same boost control problem or if there might be other turbocharger-related issues to consider.

Last service was performed at 50000km and the symptoms started appearing shortly after. Based on your response, I checked the error codes, P0234 and P0299 related to boost pressure control. The whistling is most noticeable between 2000-3000 RPM, and there is no visible smoke from the exhaust. The turbo actuator makes an unusual clicking sound during cold starts. The boost leak symptoms seem very similar to your case. Did your repair include any boost pressure testing or smoke tests to locate potential leaks in the system? Also wondering if cleaning the actuator valve might help before full replacement. Since the vehicle is still under warranty, planning to have it checked at an authorized service center, but wanted to understand potential repair paths first, especially regarding the boost control components you mentioned.

Thanks for providing those details about the error codes and symptoms. The clicking sound from the turbo actuator during cold starts is particularly telling, as I experienced the same with my Tiguan before the repair. In my case, the workshop did perform both boost pressure testing and smoke tests. The boost pressure sensor readings were erratic, fluctuating between 0.8 and 1.4 bar when they should have been steady. The smoke test revealed no external leaks, confirming the actuator valve itself was the problem. They attempted cleaning the boost control actuator first, but it only provided temporary relief. The electrical component of the actuator was deteriorating, causing inconsistent wastegate operation. A full replacement was ultimately necessary for proper boost pressure regulation. Since your Amarok is under warranty, definitely have the dealer check the entire boost control system. The P0234 overboost code combined with P0299 underboost suggests the wastegate might not be responding correctly to the actuator signals. This matches the boost pressure control issues I encountered. Would be interested to know what the dealer finds. Based on matching symptoms and error codes, it sounds like you are dealing with a very similar turbo wastegate control problem.

Thanks for the follow-up info about your Tiguan case. Those pressure test readings really match what I am experiencing. Looking at the factory service manual, the boost pressure should indeed be much more stable than what I am seeing. The cold start clicking from the turbo actuator has actually gotten worse this week. Was this something that progressively got worse in your case too before the final fix? The wastegate operation seems really inconsistent now, especially during that 2000-3000 RPM range. I have scheduled the warranty inspection for next week. Based on your experience, I will make sure they specifically check the boost pressure sensor readings and do a proper smoke test to rule out any other issues beyond the actuator itself. The similar error codes make me think replacing the turbo actuator assembly might be the solution here too. Will post an update once the dealer does the diagnostic work. Really helpful to know that cleaning alone may not fix it if the electrical component is failing. At least being under warranty means I will avoid that 250€ repair cost you had.