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Phantom..I also have 2012 TDI, I know you said you didn't need to remove much. Was it just the belt and then the bolts for the pulley or did you need to remove other stuff?
This just happened to my 2012 Audi Q7 with 160,000 miles. The tell-tale delamination of the rubber from the hub due to corrosion creeping in from the outside. From what I can tell, once approximately half of the bonded rubber surface has delaminated from the hub, it's only a matter of time before the rubber no longer can withstand the torque placed upon it, and thus it tears apart.
I replaced the vibration damper about a week ago. One of the unexpected benefits was that a very prominent powertrain vibration from about 3,000-3500RPM is completely gone. I've had this vibration since at least October of last year, and I chalked it up to perhaps some worn or torn engine or transmission mounts, but immediately after replacing the vibration damper, the vibration is completely gone. This may be a symptom worth noting.
In an attempt to prevent this from happening again, after I replaced the vibration damper, I started the engine and with it running (don't do this at home, kids!), I spray painted the center of the pulley. This should prevent it, or at least slow down the corrosion process that causes this delamination to begin with.
Similar vibration before main pulley/balancer failure
Mine went out a couple of years back (my post on the failure is up this thread) right after a fairly long trip pulling my boat that included a couple hundred miles through the mountains with air temps around 80°F. I had a similar vibration most of that trip leading up to it failing. Mine was most noticeable when driving at a fairly constant speed (around 65-70 mph) on fairly level roads (I would guess the RPMS were around 2000.) Looking back, that is when it was taking the least or most even torque load. I was worried it was trans-related since the Q7 was full of people and stuff and I have 4000+ lbs on the hitch but, once the balancer was replaced, that vibration was gone... (I was VERY lucky that it failed completely as I was pulling into our driveway once we got home....) As a side note, mine failed on the innermost edge of the rubber...
Originally Posted by silva
This just happened to my 2012 Audi Q7 with 160,000 miles. The tell-tale delamination of the rubber from the hub due to corrosion creeping in from the outside. From what I can tell, once approximately half of the bonded rubber surface has delaminated from the hub, it's only a matter of time before the rubber no longer can withstand the torque placed upon it, and thus it tears apart.
I replaced the vibration damper about a week ago. One of the unexpected benefits was that a very prominent powertrain vibration from about 3,000-3500RPM is completely gone. I've had this vibration since at least October of last year, and I chalked it up to perhaps some worn or torn engine or transmission mounts, but immediately after replacing the vibration damper, the vibration is completely gone. This may be a symptom worth noting.
In an attempt to prevent this from happening again, after I replaced the vibration damper, I started the engine and with it running (don't do this at home, kids!), I spray painted the center of the pulley. This should prevent it, or at least slow down the corrosion process that causes this delamination to begin with.
2014 Q7 TDI with 142000kms on it, so what ever that works out to be in miles.
Thanks for posting the picture. I just took pics of my '15 and it looks as bad as the worst pics shared on this thread...super crusty, flaking off, pitted corrosion; it's clearly delaminating and about to fail at 5yrs/ @95k+ miles/ approx 153,000 kilometers, which seems to be right on the trend line based on what others reported herein. That and the prior owner lived in New Jersey, lol. I'm seeing a definite trending of New York license plates and snowy winters trending here too.
I'll be coating my new pulley(s) in 'rustproof red tractor' paint by Krylon.
Last edited by '10Q7TDI_Prestige'; 03-18-2021 at 01:32 PM.
Reason: Additional thought
TDI Crank Pulley order fell through...it was fraud. Going back to searching again. Will post up results on availability/pricing/part#s for OE, OEM, and aftermarket replacements, etc., to help TDI owners going forward with replacement options on this common TDI part failure issue.
Last edited by '10Q7TDI_Prestige'; 03-18-2021 at 02:31 PM.
Reason: update
Nice @phamtom... i felt the same way after it was done. After seeing this thread it was always in the back of my mind that this could happen.
OK folks, so my '15 TDI crank pulley/harmonic balancer is hanging on by a thread, just like pretty much everyone else's TDI here. I've done the research on which harmonic balancer/crank pulleys will fit the Q7 TDI. The best price in US was from FCP Euro for the OEM Corteco part...no real surprise there. Part is difficult to find right now; backordered status from most sellers.
Q7 TDI Crank Pulley/Harmonic Balancer:
Audi: OE # 059105251DJ ($389@ECSTuning to $456@Audi Dealer)
OEM: Corteco # 80004350 ($158@FCPEuro to $260@multiple online vendors)
Aftermarket:
Dayco # PB1769N ($260@carparts.com and multiple other vendors)
NAPA: # NOE60208531 $314 (NAPA Solutions line)
O'Reilly Auto Parts: $344
Dorman # 594-893 (Line DOR) UPC# 889245289100 (this is what Autozone/O'Reilly's carries)
Last edited by '10Q7TDI_Prestige'; 03-18-2021 at 02:17 PM.
Reason: vendor info update
OK folks, so my '15 TDI crank pulley/harmonic balancer is hanging on by a thread, just like pretty much everyone else's TDI here. I've done the research on which harmonic balancer/crank pulleys will fit the Q7 TDI. Prices listed are in US dollars except for my purchase example attached at bottom, which is in Canadian dollars: The best price in US was from FCP Euro for the OEM Corteco part...no real surprise there. Availability is another thing entirely.
Audi: OE # 059105251DJ ($389@ECSTuning to $456@Audi Dealer)
OEM: Corteco # 80004350 ($158@FCPEuro to $260@multiple online vendors)
Aftermarket:
Dayco # PB1769N (approx $80@https://www.wamanwasic.com/ to $260@carparts.com/multiple vendors)
NAPA: # NOE60208531 $314 (NAPA Solutions line)
O'Reilly Auto Parts: $344
Dorman # 594-893 (Line DOR) UPC# 889245289100 (this is what Autozone/O'Reilly's carries)
As of this writing, there is almost zero stock in aftermarket or OEM parts on this continent (North America). Pretty much everybody shows backordered status except the Audi dealers @ $456, and maybe O'Reilly auto parts @$344 lol...go figure. Ebay was even sold out except for shipping it from overseas. I bought from the Canadian storefront linked above and got the 'Dayco Premium Replacement Part', which sells elsewhere for a lot more. I would have bought from FCPEuro as they have a great price on the OEM part, but their's was backordered with no ETA at this time, so i simply couldn't wait (I did call FCP and ask them about it). Below, I've attached my actual cart loadout with final price shown in Canadian dollars. I really don't understand it, but they also gave me a discount for buying more than one item (added a belt tensioner), and the shipping is also free. My advice; don't wait until yours falls off...if it's starting to split/pull away from center ring order the part and replace the other wear parts while you are at it (drive belt/tensioner/idlers, etc.).
My Purchase Receipt Totals:
1 ea. Engine Harmonic Balancer-Premium OEM Replacement Balancer Dayco PB1769N CA $127.99
1 ea. INA Drive Belt Tensioner 022145299E / 534 0307 100 CA $49.99
CA $177.98 Sub-Total
CA $0.00 Table Rate (Best Way): Shipping
-CA $52.98 Quantity Discount:
CA $125.00 (Total cost US$ was just under $100 for both parts; new crank pulley and new belt tensioner, shipped)
I will update with further info when I get more details on shipping/tracking, but dang if you can't beat the pricing. The site search logic is a bit wonky and it is best to search by the part numbers to find items. I was going to buy the serpentine belt also, but I couldn't find it on their site for the Q7 TDI. I did get several returns by searching generically on Audi serpentine belt though, just FYI. Although the site was a bit basic and frustrating, I found what I needed to find.
I just put an order through, and I'm not very confident it is legit based on the email from the receipt. I'm probably going to attempt to cancel it through my PayPal account.
03-06-2021, 04:34 AM
I'll throw in my $0.02, and some advice/symptoms
