Strange Whooshing noise...

[Snagsy]

My 2004 Megane 1.9dCi 120bhp Sporthatch has developed a strange 'whooshing noise' over the last couple of days and I cannot think what it could be - has anyone else experienced this.

Before this noise started to happen, when driving with the windows down you could hear the turbo whining / spooling up like on most turbo-diesel cars...this has now been replaced with this very loud 'whooshing noise' instead! It happens when accelaerating and seems to have replaced the noise of the turbo spoolong up. I got someone to rev the engine yesterday whilst I was trying to hear where the noise was coming from within the engine bay and the noise sounds loudest from behind the radiator, just below and behind the where the number plate is situated.

I have tried to look under the bonnet to see if there is a hose or pipe that haas come loose / off as I can only think its something to do with air intake / filter as the car just seems to be sucking in way more air than it should or ever used to. Is there an easy way to take off the top engine cover so I can have a better look at all the hoses / pipes - the big grey plastic ugly looking cover.

Can anyone shed any light onto what is going on?

Thanks in advance,
Snagsy

[IainMW]

It does sound like a hose has split or come loose?
The inter-cooler is located low down infront of the radiator (where you can hear the noise). It's possible that either a pipe has come off or the intercooler has been damaged by a stone?

The engine cover just pulls off, but you may need to remove the dipstick first though.

Has performance dropped off and are you getting more black smoke on hard acceleration since you noticed this noise?

[Snagsy]

Thanks for your prompt response. I will try and pop the cover off and see if anything looks obvious or out-of-place.

As you have mentioned, performance has dropped off and there is noticeably more black smoke when I drive. Has this happened to you, if so, how did you stop it

Thanks

[AlexB]

It is one of thick air ducts or the intercooler split/disconnected. I would imagine that the fix involves buying a replacement part from the stealer and installing it, which may take an hour or two of your life. There will be traces of oil spray around the defective area, so look for it. Another option is to ask someone to rev the engine sharply while you are looking in the engine bay. In this case, don't get hurt and protect your eyes.

[Snagsy]

I tried to have a look at the car the weekend, the noise is defintiely coming from the intercooler / radiator area of the engine and is very noticeable. I took of the engine cover and had a good look but could not see anything obvious that had come off or was split, even with the cover off the engine bay seems very cramped. Do I need to remove anything else to enable me to see more clearly where the problem is i.e battery cover, front bumper etc etc. Any advise / pics showing what to do would be greatly appreciated.

I don't want to take it to a stealer as they will charge £££££'s, the car still drives but is running a bit poo and smoking alot! Will I do any major damage driving it in the condition it's in?

[IainMW]

What mileage has your car done, and when was it built? Look in your service book for this, it's on the same sticker as your radio code.

I really think you need to get it to a garage (Renault or good independant) ASAP
It's was not uncommon for intercoolers on earlier Renault 1.9dCi's to go pop but this was addressed with a modification some time ago. It could also be a split or loose intercooler pipe as AlexB says. Either way it's a bumper off job to access it

I would not drive it too much either, I'm not sure what if any damage you may do by driving it?