Damper pulley on the way out?

Ronnie Beck

Driving home on the motorway the other night I noticed alot of vibration in the van. The dash and the stuff in the back was rattling more than usual. I could feel alot of vibration through the accelerator and steering wheel. It was giving me a milder version of the sensation you get in your hands from using a disc sander.

I slowed from 120 to 100 and it got slightly better. It happens in all gears and seems directly related to rpm. Seems to go away at 1200 rpm really. The engine is noisier at idle too.

Had a look at the damper pulley yesterday. It has a thin continuous crack right the way around. It had cracks in it before but they weren't joined up i don't think.


Is the pulley knackered or is it something worse?

Ronnie Beck

Also there is a loud sqeek every time the revs change suddenly normally when shifting down gears.

It's a 2.5 tdi T4

jayok

Not debating the balancer, but could it be something simpler? i.e. wheel balancing, flat spot, bearing, shock, etc?

If you're stopped completely and rev the engine do the van shake? If you get to 120km.hr, clutch (coast) and let the engine revs drop does the shake stop?

You may have done this, just trying to eliminate the obvious.

jayok

oops, forgot on the picture. The rubber looks fatigued alright, but it's impossible to tell how far gone it is without physical inspection. I've seen plenty of bushes that look like that but are fine.

Ronnie Beck

Ye, there is even more engine vibration now when stationary(Fuel pump needs a belt of a hammer). Brand new tyres and tracking done in the last few weeks. When you hit the clutch it goes back to idle vibration. I have in my head that it's an engine mount or the pulley.

Just trying to find out if anyone has any experience of these breaking up. It had loads of small cracks last summer but not that big crack right the way around. For all I know it could have 2/3 years left in it . They're 150 quid a pop off VW.

OldmanMondeo

That looks like the centre is about to some out. Time to change it.

martyc5674

Try looking at it side on with the engine running... Should see the belt flapping a bit when rev'd.
I had one go albeit on a different engine and it didn't look near as bad as yours.

Is it the 4 hex bolts holding it on or does that big one in the middle need to come off too??
I ran mine with it off to confirm vib/ rattle was coming from it.. U could try same.
Marty

Ronnie Beck

Stuck the picture up on a T4 forum. Lads there said change it now, that it's pretty bad. It it comes off it could take out the alternator belt and the cam belt. Hopefully it sorts the vibration out too.

Is it the 4 hex bolts holding it on or does that big one in the middle need to come off too??

They all have to come off. Getting it off wasn't too bad last time. Really should have changed then. Getting it back on is a serious effort on axle stands. The centre bolt is 160Nm plus a half turn. About 460Nm:(. I only managed just over a quarter turn last time. I've bigger axle stands now and use of an air gun if I wan't so hopefully do better this time.

That looks like the centre is about to some out. Time to change it.

Genuine or spurious part? Some cheap ones ther online for under a 100. Local shop said they don't do them.