Brought my 2002 2.5TDI manual to Skoda dealer yesterday for a service.

I asked them to quote me for a clutch change and they checked prices and said my DMF is a solid one so no need to change that. I asked him how he knew and he tolfd me that the only part he had on his system for my car was SMF in which case I was told I do not need to change.

This all sounds a bit too good to be true to me but has anyone on here with a manual 2.5TDI ever had to change their clutch and flywheel and if so was the flywheel a DMF or SMF?

My clutch is beginning to slip and I need to change that so the question is do I need to change the flywheel if it is SMF

I've never heard of a 2.5 TDI with a DMF, only the 1.9's and 2.0's had them.

OK, Would the logic there I wonder be that because of the inherent smoothness and balance of the V6 mean that a DMF is not required?

Any of the Internet part sites like Euro Car parts, GSF etc all quote me for a  DMF for my car so that seems to contradict everything else I am hearing. Plus mechanics here where I am living all tell me I have to change the DMF too and quote me accordingly. Is someone pulling my chain on this one?

Pretty sure it's a DMF.

Thanks for answers so far but not really any the wiser here!

Looking up clutch kits I came across this one. Anyone ever come across this brand? LUK and Sachs are the usual brands I hear about.

Borg and Beck were one of the big clutch companies in the1960's and 70's.  Everybody knew about them in those days.  I think you are showing your lack of age (lucky you), or perhaps they didn't sell much in Ireland!

 

Have a look here: http://www.firstline.co.uk/borgandbeck/history.php

Thanks for that. Feel a bit better about ordering one now. I was alive in 60's and 70's but not very aware or interested in clutch's.

Don't want to say that they did not sell much in Ireland as I am sure a fellow countryman will come on and tell me all about it.

£131 seems a very good price for a clutch kit for a 2.5TDI. Just worried there was a catch.

Will the pressure plate match up with my existing flywheel etc?

Why would you need to change the flywheel .... regardless of whether it's DMF or SMF?

 

Have changed a few clutches in my life, but never changed a flywheel ..... isn't it designed so that the friction material on the drive plate wears rather than the face on the flywheel?

Thanks for that. Feel a bit better about ordering one now. I was alive in 60's and 70's but not very aware or interested in clutch's.

Don't want to say that they did not sell much in Ireland as I am sure a fellow countryman will come on and tell me all about it.

£131 seems a very good price for a clutch kit for a 2.5TDI. Just worried there was a catch.

Will the pressure plate match up with my existing flywheel etc?

Yep, Bork and Beck have been around the place for a while,   131 is a good price and if its a B&B its good stuff. Which dealer in the Rebel county did you ask about the clutch? Have you tried the local factors? They tend to have offers from time to time so try more than one, they can be cheaper than fleabay.

Why would you need to change the flywheel .... regardless of whether it's DMF or SMF?

 

Have changed a few clutches in my life, but never changed a flywheel ..... isn't it designed so that the friction material on the drive plate wears rather than the face on the flywheel?

DMF's on diesels are known to destroy themselves. There is a load of threads on various forums for other makes too. Ford are well known for it. Previously a DMF went on me on a 1.9TDI Passat.  This time my clutch is slipping and while the I have no problem (that I am aware of) with my flywheel I thought it would be wise to change it at the same time as clutch. If it is a SMF then obviously I do not need to change it.

Maybe I would be mad to change it if its a DMF but the car has got to 156k miles without it going so I am thinking I am lucky up to now or the 2.5 v6 does not consume flywheels like 4 cylinder diesels?? I will probably buy that Borg and Beck clutch kit and leave the flywheel alone.

Yep, Bork and Beck have been around the place for a while,   131 is a good price and if its a B&B its good stuff. Which dealer in the Rebel county did you ask about the clutch? Have you tried the local factors? They tend to have offers from time to time so try more than one, they can be cheaper than fleabay.

Eamonn Tarrant in Banteer are the people that told me that my flywheel was SMF. They quoted me €850 to supply and fit clutch kit only. Clutch kit cost €300 +VAT and 8 hours labour to fit. They quoted me €490 + VAT for flywheel but that one is an SMF and no need to change it they tell me.

Eamonn Tarrant in Banteer are the people that told me that my flywheel was SMF. They quoted me €850 to supply and fit clutch kit only. Clutch kit cost €300 +VAT and 8 hours labour to fit. They quoted me €490 + VAT for flywheel but that one is an SMF and no need to change it they tell me.

500 euro labour is dear even for a stealer, 60 per hour!! But even at that they are not making huge money.

I wonder why I have not had a car serviced by a dealer since the early 80's

Ring a couple of the local motor factors and get a price on the kit, they stock different makes so try a few and dont be afraid to haggle.

If you are not too far from Tralee there are a few there,  if you want  numbers for them or for a good guy to fit it PM me on here. He will ask you to buy the parts and he will fit them.

Dont drive too long with it slipping or you WILL be looking for a flywheel too!!!

€60/hour is cheap, £80/hour is not uncommon in Britain, which equates to €90+.

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500 euro labour is dear even for a stealer, 60 per hour!! But even at that they are not making huge money.

I wonder why I have not had a car serviced by a dealer since the early 80's

Ring a couple of the local motor factors and get a price on the kit, they stock different makes so try a few and dont be afraid to haggle.

If you are not too far from Tralee there are a few there,  if you want  numbers for them or for a good guy to fit it PM me on here. He will ask you to buy the parts and he will fit them.

Dont drive too long with it slipping or you WILL be looking for a flywheel too!!!

I have oredered the Borg and Beck kit. Works out at €172 including delivery in our money  !!

The best price I could get for a kit locally was from Limerick Brake and clutch for €229

Local mechanic can fit for €200 so hopefully I should be in the clear for less than €400.

On your point about the flywheel, how exactly does a slipping clutch damage flywheel?

Is it not the pressure plate that will be taking the hit from the slipping?

I have limited experience with this so if you could set me straight I would appreciate. Thanks for your input so far.

Ignoring the DMF discussions.........

 

Solid single mass flywheels can be damaged by a slipping clutch in a couple of ways:-

 1) If the clutch is slipping because the friction material is worn down to the rivets then this can damage the flywheel and / or pressure plate surface

 2) The heat created by a slipping clutch can damage the flywheel  surface - usually worse on the pressure plate though

 

You wont know until it is stripped down.

 

Make sure the kit includes a release bearing.

Ok thanks for that. I will get him to inspect flywheel and tell me if it should be replaced too.

Ok thanks for that. I will get him to inspect flywheel and tell me if it should be replaced too.

So I do have a DMF not a SMF. Also it is on the way out too so I need to change it regardless. So it is now clear that I need to change the lot.

An interesting point is that the Borg and Beck clutch kit I received has LUK embossed into the metal work. So are Borg & Beck and LUK the same company now? I assume I am safe ordering LuK flywheel on the basis that clutch kit is probably from the same company.

LUK will be ok, what prices are you getting for the flywheel? They have come down a lot in the last year or so.

Told you 

Just to close off on this I have only just got car back from my mechanic with job complete. He only changed the clutch, pressure plate and release bearing. When he inspected the flywheel (DMF) it was not worn and the play on it was well within tolerances expected. So good news in that I did not have to fork out half what I was expecting. Car is now smooth and clutch is strong. Happy again.

What colour is your car?,  I'll keep an eye out for it anytime I leave the Kingdom heading towards the Rebel county