Three year old Freelander 2 Diesel - 30,000 miles - regularly serviced. I appreciate that diesel engines rattle/clatter. However, I'm familiar enough with this vehicle to recognise a new sound. The engine is generally noisier and the acceleration (once the turbo lag is passed) is not what it used to be. There is also a 'whistle' which is more noticeable under hard acceleration - but overall fuel consumption is unchanged. I've run a couple of tanks of Shell V-Power through it (yeah - I know, probably a waste of money) and it makes no difference. I'm thinking turbo air leak for the whistle/lack of pull - but why would this make it noisier? Also, if it is a turbo air leak - is this a DIY job (i.e. access)

I would think it wouldnt be too hard to do a basic check on the hoses and couplings that feed and fit around the turbo unit for security and splits. depending on which side of the turbo they were I imagine it could suck in more air and affect the mixture that could lead to rougher running hence noiser?
Just a thought, I know of a turbo hose coming complelely apart on a Rover Vitesse and the result was it wouldt hardly run at all. I was only wrong once and thats when I thought I was but wasnt.

2010 Freelander 2 XS Stornaway Grey
2010 Aston DBS Morning Frost
2010 Bentley Continental Brooklands Green

Mona Geeza - well I'm not sure just how difficult: It's evidently behind the engine block and cannot be seen via the engine compartment. Perhaps it's accessible from below.

Isn't the whistle normal? I get this nearly all the time. (Past) Freelander 2 HSE 2010 MY In Rimini Red.
(Past) RR Evoque Dynamic Lux Si4 In Firenze Red.
(Past) RR Evouque Pure Tech in Barollo Black with bespoke Firenze Red colour coding.
(Present) Freelander Metropolis 2015 MY In Santorini Black with Ivory Premium Leather.

Sounds like turbo leak whistle to me. Pipe split or loose clip.

Ok - managed to get a good look around the turbo from below - nothing obviously wrong and hoses appear intact. So ...... took it to the dealer today for investigation. They report that the turbocharger is dead and needs replacing; cost = £1300+VAT. At 32,000 miles I am not impressed.

I am currently looking into alternatives for the supply and fitting of the item - I've found some suppliers for the turbocharger, but I'd appreciate some recommendations for reliable independent Land Rover repairers in the Midlands.

No experience of them but what about contacting JE Engineering in Coventry? They are in all the Landy mags and are LR specialists. Might go well fast when you get it back as well!

Just as an aside, make sure that whoever fixes it looks at the turbo oil supply. If it's not a manufacturing defect, then that's the standard problem for a low mileage turbo failure. We Don't Care About Pot Holes !!

Contact equicar (sp?) they are 4x4 breakers

Contact LR to see if they can offer any goodwill

Speak to forum sponsors, Inc Off Road Essencials who can come to you and diagnose and fix Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

sounds like the rotary electronic actuator is failing to operate properly. This is a small device which alters the vain pitch inside the turbo unit which in turn governs turbo presure to the inlet manifold over the engine rev range. This would cause a large lack of power to the engine in all throttle ranges.
If all tubro hoses are tight then before you part with a large amount of cash to the stealers get some one who has access to a fault code reader for landrovers. There should be a DTC "fault code" or two stored in the ECU, this should be your first starting point to investigate, best of luck.