How to know if a car has problem with Dual Mass Flywheel

Rylan

Going looking at a car today which, from reading reviews on what to watch out for, says that they can give DMF problems. How can I tell by just driving the car if there is a problem or does it need to be looked at by a mechanic.

Many thanks.

_Kaiser_

Well I had to have mine replaced 2 months back (06 Passat) and the easiest way to tell is you'll hear an intermittent rattling sound from the engine bay while the car idles that will get progressively more frequent and noisy if not attended to.

Not something to put off either if it does start. Get it done ASAP but it is VERY expensive!

Cha82

Hi Rylan,

I am by no means an expert or anything but i've been told that in the ford cars with DMF issues the symptoms can manifest as difficulty in starting the car (something to do with iron filings from the DMF getting into the starter motor). Also look out for a squeaky noise when starting and/or juddering or vibrating when dipping the clucth/changing gears.

I think that most cars with known DMF issues seems to have a mileage timeframe where the problem usually appears (mitsubishi pajers around 100,000 i think) Of course this is only a guideline and depending on usage (heavy towing etc) it can fail much earlier. Read the review of your car on www.honestjohn.co.uk, he is usually pretty good for this kind of information. Good luck with the hunt:)

Rylan

Thanks for the replies guys. Went and had a look at the car. It is a 1.8 Mondeo. Car seemed very clean and drove well except for one thing. While I was driving it, once I got to about 2000 - 2500 revs they seemed to jump up very quickly to 3,4,5000 revs. The clutch seemed ok but I am no expert. There was no rattles from the car. Has anyone any idea why this might happen. I would probably rule this car out only it is at a very good price. Again, many thanks for any help.

furtzy

A distinctive rattle at the clutch biting point is the tell tale sign. It went on my last car About a grand to fix I'm afraid

Rylan

There was no rattles but I was just worried about the revving.

DublinDilbert

Sounds like the clutch is slipping, if revs increase but speed doesn't...

Bitten & Hisses

Rylan wrote: »

Thanks for the replies guys. Went and had a look at the car. It is a 1.8 Mondeo. Car seemed very clean and drove well except for one thing. While I was driving it, once I got to about 2000 - 2500 revs they seemed to jump up very quickly to 3,4,5000 revs. The clutch seemed ok but I am no expert. There was no rattles from the car. Has anyone any idea why this might happen. I would probably rule this car out only it is at a very good price. Again, many thanks for any help.

I would put this down to the characteristics of how the engine deliver its power. I find these Mondeos very frustrating to drive, like an old school TD engine: Shag all power at low revs, then it dumps out a big load of torque in one heap. Add to that the delightful silver plastic around the stereo (I think they got the Beko designers in that day) and you get what is in my opinion, not a very pleasant driving experience.

Rylan

Thats just it though, the revs shoot up but i dont get that burst of power. Must be the clutch slipping. I shouldn't have to replace the DMF aswell though should I.

lifer_sean

What age is the Mondeo and what mileage (approx) ?

mickdw

You were not spinning a front wheel by any chance?

Rylan

No. I was not spinning front wheel. Give me some credit. The year of the car is 2002 and mileage 87000.

GERMAN ROCKS

are you defo she was diesel.

Rylan

It's a petrol.

lifer_sean

Not aware of any petrol cars that have DMF, but no doubt someone here may correct that. The purpose of DMF is to dampen vibration, more prevalent in diesels than petrols. Mondeo 1.8 petrol should have standard flywheel, not DMF. Also DMF typically used 2004 onwards, few if any 02 cars would have DMF.

alanmc

Pretty sure my 350Z has a DMF. You're right though. Most petrol cars don't have DMFs. If I'm correct a DMF is useful when smoothing out the power delivery between the engine and gearbox. Especially when a large amount of torque is provided at low revs.

I'd be pretty confident saying a 1.8 Ford engine is not factory fitted with a DMF.

DublinDilbert

lifer_sean wrote: »

Not aware of any petrol cars that have DMF, but no doubt someone here may correct that. The purpose of DMF is to dampen vibration, more prevalent in diesels than petrols. Mondeo 1.8 petrol should have standard flywheel, not DMF. Also DMF typically used 2004 onwards, few if any 02 cars would have DMF.

Many new-ish petrol BMWs have DMF's