Well, today is the last day of our SUK Used Car warranty, but in the last two weeks I'm glad it's been there.

I'd noticed from the time we purchased the car that there'd been a deep "clatter" that appeared everytime I de-clutched to change gear. The noise had progressively become worse in the past couple of months, so doing some research it sounded like it could be the DMF on the way out. As the car was due for its 2nd variable service, I mentioned this to the dealer - Ridgeway Skoda, Reading - when I booked it in and I left the car with them on the 1st September. I got a brand-new Fabia S 60ps courtesy car and off I went. They called me a couple of days later, and they'd found there was a oil leak on the turbo banjo bolt and this and seals needed to be replaced as well as the brake fluid, both of which I told them to do. Now the important bit; their Senior Technician had road tested the car and concluded that the noise was the DMF. However, I had to authorise them to go ahead and strip-out the gearbox and.... wait for it....I'd have to foot the bill if it wasn't the DMF! So, a sharp intake of breath and I gave them the go-ahead. The following day, thank goodness, the technicians' diagnosis was 100% - the DMF was failing and, once it was inspected by SUK, it would be covered under the warranty. So, the service was great, as usual at Ridgeway and thank gawd- I've avoided a huge bill (I've seen mention on here £1,500+?) in the not to distant future. What I am disappointed about is that a DMF should fail within 25k; amazed in fact. Still, when the inspected the clutch they said there was hardly any wear so we should be fine now for a few more miles....

Have you been driving in too higher a gear? I.E. keeping the engine revs low?

 

This is known to kill DMFs fairly quickly. I try not to keep the revs to low labouring the engine (in spite of what the dashboard shift indicator says) as I have found it doesn't affect the mpg but 'shouldn't' kill the flywheel.

 

I am sure I read of another forum used having a flywheel fail at a similar mileage, but I agree it shouldn't really happen.

Have you been driving in too higher a gear? I.E. keeping the engine revs low?

This is known to kill DMFs fairly quickly. I try not to keep the revs to low labouring the engine (in spite of what the dashboard shift indicator says) as I have found it doesn't affect the mpg but 'shouldn't' kill the flywheel.

I am sure I read of another forum used having a flywheel fail at a similar mileage, but I agree it shouldn't really happen.

Hmmm, interesting meb, can you remember which forum that was? I guess the previous owner could've driven that way because, as I said, I noticed the noise from day one of our ownership. I never labour an engine and don't even use the engine and gearbox to brake, which could probably be another cause of high dress on a DMF - our PD140 MKI has 120k and is on the original DMF and clutch. We've only covered 3.5k in the 13 months we've owned the car, with the noise becoming more prominent during this time. So in any event, I'm happy that is been replaced, avoided an enormous bill and look forward to enjoying the car again.

Sorry, I mislead you. I meant to write it was another forum member (of this forum). But alas I can't find the post.

 

I am sure that it was a similar situation to you, in that they bought the car second hand. If I remember rightly the car had about 23,000 miles on and the previous owner was an older one so seemed likely to use low revs.

 

Glad your situation is sorted and its a weight off your mind. From what I have read, your driving style is DMF friendly so hopefully you have nothing to worry about

Tis true that low RPM in a DMF equipped car is like Hari-Kiri, modern Hdi/common rail diesels need rpm and dont chug like the old 2.5di transit engines, also it clogs the DPF (another big bill)

 

 

 

my 1.6tdi doesnt have a DMF btw

I can confirm that DMF failure is certainly not down to low revs alone. I bought my first SII on an 09 plate and the DMF on that failed at about 32K and trust me as a taxi, low revs were the last thing it saw.

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It should be noted that it isn't low RPM in isolation, it needs to be combined with a high load such as being in too low a gear.

 

Another perfect reason why you should never follow the advice given by the gear change recommendation on the dash. It may be set up for optimum fuel economy but any savings made will be wiped out by the cost of a replacement DMF.

 

As mentioned by lichfielddriver a lot of folks drive diesels like they've always known to, ride the torque curve by keeping low RPM. This doesn't seem to be the way for modern DMF equipped diesels?

Thanks for all you responses. Yes I agree, it never fails to amaze me how many people, like my father-in-law, who still use 2nd gear to pull-away, riding the daylights out of the clutch, and then proceed to change up to 5th/6th by the time they've reached 31mph, with the engine labouring like crazy! Ah well.

 

All I'm grateful for, is that unlike a number of instances in the past with other manufacturers such as Fiat and Ford, the warranty approval process was pretty straight-forward, apart from that wait for the thumbs-up, albeit the Service Administrator indicated he really didn't think they'd be an issue. But I do wonder however, if SUK/CCP would've looked on the claim as favourably, if I'd had the car serviced by an independent and then took it to the dealer for them to look at a warranty claim. I suspect not....

 

Another thumbs-up for SUK today too - they've agreed to repair the corrosion under the 10 year Paint warranty on the attached pics of the boot lid of our MKI - I'm delighted! Once again, the car has been service/repaired from new by authorised dealers.

 

Cheers... Rob

 

 

 

   

Its those springs bouncing about that do it, soaking up torque bang bang bang BOSH

 

i mean, does it LOOK like a good idea?

 

Its those springs bouncing about that do it, soaking up torque bang bang bang BOSH

 

i mean, does it LOOK like a good idea?

 

 

LOL!  Yep, it does look slightly Heath Robinson but I guess, ultimately, they're reliable as long as you don't abuse the darn thing!

LOL!  Yep, it does look slightly Heath Robinson but I guess, ultimately, they're reliable as long as you don't abuse the darn thing!

 

Not THAT reliable, ive had 2 changed (both fords) at 76,000 and 120,000 and never less that £750 (inc clutch)

Not THAT reliable, ive had 2 changed (both fords) at 76,000 and 120,000 and never less that £750 (inc clutch)

Granted, I guess that wouldn't be the case with a solid flywheel.

Granted, I guess that wouldn't be the case with a solid flywheel.

 

Many Fords get a SMF with no ill effects

 

Ive got one already only having a puny little old 1.6tdi

In all my many years of motoring ive only had 2 clutches need replacing, a Viva HC OHV and a Cavalier 1.6 FWD petrol which i did through the bellhousing hole in 2 hours, cost £50

In all my many years of motoring ive only had 2 clutches need replacing, a Viva HC OHV and a Cavalier 1.6 FWD petrol which i did through the bellhousing hole in 2 hours, cost £50

Yeah, I recall the Cavalier. Brilliant, a dealer could do a clutch change in 20 mins. Then they realised this wasn't great for revenue, they moaned and Access was Denied!

Yeah, I recall the Cavalier. Brilliant, a dealer could do a clutch change in 20 mins. Then they realised this wasn't great for revenue, they moaned and Access was Denied!

 

You needed a quality set of clips to hold the clutch once compressed, i had cheap ones that failed, then scrounged a set of Sykes-Pickavant, easy job then

Engine misfires.

■ Starting issues.

■ Slow/lazy cranking.

■ Towing excessive loads.

■ Low cylinder compression.

■ Excessive use of the clutch i.e. clutch control on inclines.

■ Driving in the wrong gear to try and save fuel.

http://pmmonline.co.uk/technical/how-spot-abnormal-dmf-wear