AHU TDI Vibration Damper Pulley testing

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hotpod
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AHU TDI Vibration Damper Pulley testing

Post by hotpod »

Does anyone know how to test if the vibration damper pulley ( harmonic balancer) on the crank shaft is in good shape?
Mine drives the ribbed serpentine belt for the alternator and water pump and has a pulley for a v belt to drive the power steering pump on the outside.
It looks fine on the engine (no play or anything) but I didn't even know I had one or what one was until a mate pointed it out whilst we were trying to diagnose the noisy engine in the camper. Turns out that the water pump pulley wheel is hanging and the bearings in the pump have a lot of play plus the tensioner pully bearings are also knackered so it might just be those but I dont want to put it all back together without knowing if the damper pulley is shot too.
Any advice much appreciated.
1992 T3 LHD Syncro 16" 4 door doka 1.9na diesel
1990 T3 LHD Syncro 16" Westfalia Joker high top 1.9 TDI
1985 T3 LHD Westfalia Joker high top 1.9 Digijet
1980 T3 LHD factory high top 2.0 Aircooled

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Re: AHU TDI Vibration Damper Pulley testing

Post by silverbullet »

Are they known for failing? Unless the rubber bonding between the hub and pulley is obviously degraded, split or has chunks missing then I wouldn't worry.
Probably just a failed water pump bearing and the tensioner can't cope or has also failed.
Last edited by silverbullet on 01 Apr 2025, 13:46, edited 1 time in total.
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hotpod
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Re: AHU TDI Vibration Damper Pulley testing

Post by hotpod »

I have no idea if they fail but new ones are for sale so I would guess they do.
Nothing obviously degraded but I was wondering if there was a rule of thumb type way to tell.
I will take it off and do an inspection since this is likely the best time to do it :)
 
1992 T3 LHD Syncro 16" 4 door doka 1.9na diesel
1990 T3 LHD Syncro 16" Westfalia Joker high top 1.9 TDI
1985 T3 LHD Westfalia Joker high top 1.9 Digijet
1980 T3 LHD factory high top 2.0 Aircooled

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Re: AHU TDI Vibration Damper Pulley testing

Post by silverbullet »

I have seen delaminated crank dampers on other engines but its a rare thing. If it has a TDC mark then check if it lines up, if not then its loose.
1985 Oettinger 3.2 Caravelle RHD syncro twin slider. SA Microbus bumpers, duplex winch system, ARC 7X15 period alloys

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Re: AHU TDI Vibration Damper Pulley testing

Post by Burtybassett »

My last engine was an AHU....I had my pulley replaced when I did the cambelt (which should be done every 4 years regardless of milage) as mine was squeeking and rattling due to shot bearings.
Parts are/were quite common.
This was.....2020.
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Re: AHU TDI Vibration Damper Pulley testing

Post by Oren Kipnis »

Which Alternator is mounted on the engine ?
Does it have a clutch pulley ? It is essential on these.
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hotpod
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Re: AHU TDI Vibration Damper Pulley testing

Post by hotpod »

Burtybassett wrote: 04 Apr 2025, 18:01 My last engine was an AHU....I had my pulley replaced when I did the cambelt (which should be done every 4 years regardless of milage) as mine was squeeking and rattling due to shot bearings.
Parts are/were quite common.
This was.....2020.
Which bearings were shot? and are you talking about the pulley which bolts to the end of the crank shaft and drives the auxiliary belt?
 
1992 T3 LHD Syncro 16" 4 door doka 1.9na diesel
1990 T3 LHD Syncro 16" Westfalia Joker high top 1.9 TDI
1985 T3 LHD Westfalia Joker high top 1.9 Digijet
1980 T3 LHD factory high top 2.0 Aircooled

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hotpod
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Re: AHU TDI Vibration Damper Pulley testing

Post by hotpod »

Oren Kipnis wrote: 04 Apr 2025, 18:42 Which Alternator is mounted on the engine ?
Does it have a clutch pulley ? It is essential on these.

Ii have the 90a and it doesn't have the clutch pulley. I shall look into getting one asap.
1992 T3 LHD Syncro 16" 4 door doka 1.9na diesel
1990 T3 LHD Syncro 16" Westfalia Joker high top 1.9 TDI
1985 T3 LHD Westfalia Joker high top 1.9 Digijet
1980 T3 LHD factory high top 2.0 Aircooled

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