I just bought my 7 last month and it started this faint whispering noise and couple of days after i bought it (after some WOT runs) The previous owner never ran it hard at all and the car was badied. hearing a exgaust leaksound(can hear it on the top of the engine but a lot more prevalent under the car near DP) i passed it off as that. i'm still waiting to get on a lift to check it out. but today it was more pervalent, as the rpm goes up the whisper sound speeds up too. i talked to A-spec and they said since the guy how owned it before put on and HKS DP that a exgaust leak in that area might be the problem(since it was badied it never saw full back pressure). i've been on these forms for about 6 years now but this is my first FD. i just want to know if that type of sound can come from the exgaust leak. i just don't want to find out an apex seal is clicking and the egine is about to go(it only has 8,000miles on it). i have no loss in power and the car drives and revs fine. is it just a rotary noise?
Thanks for any help given
Rob

 

apex seals don't click....wouldn't be worried about the engine

do you hear this noise at idle too?? Exhaust leaks usually just make the car louder. What you are describing sounds like a boost leak and you should feel some loss in power unless you aren't used to the car yet.

 

well the car is louder. you can hear the noise ekco off walls and other cars right next to me on the road. it does make it at idle. i don't think its a boost leak it wouldn't make this type of sound and the car still has a great boost pattern. tuesday i have a chance to get it on a lift. i'll take a stethicscope and try to listen for it.

 

if you want to know wether you have an exhaust leak or not, no need to use a stethescope, get the car up on jackstands, and put some seafoam in your gas tank, itll make your exhaust white, and you can find the leak pretty quick that way, or atleast figure out a general area where it might be

edit: haha i just realised how old this thread is.