Just about to turn over 200K and in celebration, I filled the tank with top tier diesel (which I always do), from a high volume truck stop.

Three miles later engine started knocking.

I figured it was either contaminated diesel or an injector. Or maybe a con rod.

Turns out it was the injector on cylinder one. Still waiting for my mechanic to get to it...his team is fully booked...but in the interim we decided to move up to a newer Q7.

I was hoping the Tdi would run forever...and it probably will...but we're planning some towing excursions with the Q and Sunday we had a utility trailer connected (a Sylvan Sport Go Easy) Took a bit to figure out the logistics of getting the trailer home and the Q to the mechanic on a flatbed.

In any event, we're going to replace the injector and put it up for sale. In the meantime I found a beautiful 2021 Q7 Prestige locally and will be picking it up next week.

I'm kinda hoping it doesn't sell. Would be nice to have it around as a spare vehicle!

With 200K on the odo, it's not worth a ton. Except maybe to me.

 

That's unfortunate timing! Injectors go, though. That's just part of the lifecycle. I want to say I replaced mine at around 140,000 miles. It is still going strong, but trouble-free, it is not. Grr.

 

Thanks...it is what it is. I love the car, Might take a while to sell it, if you know what I mean.

If this one had air I would have considered keeping it. Air is so nice for towing.

 

Interesting how you filled the tank, and then it started knocking. When mine did that it was just due to water contaminated fuel. Don't know the history of your fuel injectors, so can't comment on their 'aging', but fuel injectors on this TDI are pretty reliable and long-lived, so maybe yours are original bits still...dunno. On mine, just dropped a bottle of HEET in the tank to manage the water problem and all was back to normal quickly. I've had couple scares like that from getting contaminated fuel in my TDI.

Having pulled all 6 injectors on our '10 to service/replace their seals/inspect them for problems at 120k miles, I can say it's not terribly difficult stuff...just a bit more involved than on the 2nd gen TDI you have that only uses just the one exposed bolt to hold tension on the injector body. It's said the injector bodies themselves can last up to 180k miles or possibly more if fed good fuel and don't leave those injector seals go bad on them from aging, etc. Normal service life expectancy is 120-180k miles on the fuel injectors from what I've read on them.

Honestly, water contaminated fuel made the engine buck and knock like it was about to implode on itself...it was horrible hearing/feeling that from the engine. Water messes with fuel pressure pump, injectors delivery, and of course the combustion does not occur at the correct timing, which makes it knock heavily.

Hope you keep it; it's a simple fix IMHO.

 

not to mention you cant compress water in the cylinder and can literally hydro lock the engine

I feel that he should put fresh diesel in that car and drive it

 

Diesel checked out clean. Mobil, high volume truck stop station. Been there many times.

 

thats good then. Location is irrelevant. I usually tank on same station all the time, and one tank car was throwing errors, sputtering, until next tank... this was on my A6.

 

Q7 is back home. One fuel injector, oil change and an overdue fuel filter change. Not sure how the last happened, my indie services the car almost exclusively.

But...it isn't in the garage. Her space has been taken by a '21 Q7 Prestige. Black on black.

Wife wanted to sell the TDi, then agreed that it would be useful to have a third car in the stable. So...my goal is to get the old gal to 300K. (The TDi...and the wife. ) At an estimated 5K a year (generous at this point) it will take another 20 years to get there.

But...after having spent two weeks in the Cayenne and more recently in the high tech '21, getting back into the '13 was glorious. Simple, no fuss. I missed it. Glad to have her home.

And I've always been a two car type of person. For a long time I had an '04 allroad and an '01 A4 avant set up for autocrossing. Swapping back and forth kept my automotive interest from straying. I think it will be the same with the TDi in the mix.

 

so Im not the only one that think new Q8 is sterile as it can be, feels dull and limp.

our Q7s are last good fairly analog/heavy/feedback cars.I honestly can drive that thing like i did my lowered A6 avant. I just wish transmission was better. Only negative on the whole car.

 

Exactly what I LOVE about my '10 TDI, is I get in it and it feels immediately 'right' and calming with the analog gauge set, proper dials/buttons, etc., and the tuned 3.0 TDI engine, well, it's no slouch. IMHO, the exterior is a classic design, and the interior makes you forget just how much technology is actually in this car, and everything falls to hand as it should and just feels right. The other visceral feeling about it is the solidity of the 4L Q7 chassis overall when driving. It just feels both super-serious, extremely capable, and yet relaxed all at the same time, and I never tire of getting it on the road for a trip and putting up big mpg numbers. Fixing to drive 7hrs to visit family and can easily make it there on one tank of fuel, and I'll be comfortable the entire trip. I'll be towing a Uhaul 6X12' trailer on the return trip to bring some furniture back, and it'll be an easy, enjoyable trip in my Q7 TDI...just a walk in the park.

Hopefully I'll locate my set of Zimmerman rear rotors (in storage) also while there so can get going on R&R of the rear brakes & brake hoses once I return. Not the most fun service to do, not by far, but I find it engaging, rewarding, and DIYing the work adds to my enjoyment and appreciation of my Q7s capability. Like you, I'd like keep my '10 TDI and get another 'play' vehicle; a 'gently used' touring motorcycle perhaps? I definitely miss the perspective a really good touring bike gives one while on a road trip.