Hi All,

 

Just purchased another MK1 Superb (04 AWX) single owner 98k.

 

Car is in very good condition for year.

 

It needs a new timing belt and auxiliary belts and service (Will get tensioner and pulleys done as well for both).

 

I have noticed that when in neutral the gear stick visibly vibrates and if clutch is in or not it doesnt make any difference.

 

When in gear this vibration isnt there.

 

Is this likely to be dmf on way out? (Gearbox is tight and clutch feels ok) (No obvious clattering when turning engine off)

 

@rotodiesel @jimbof - Hi Guys, any of your expert advice please?

 

Thanks

Bump,

 

Can anyone advise please?

Usually a failing DMF will shake the whole car, check the engine and gearbox mounts and if they are ok its probably a failing DMF.

 

 

Would a failing dmf only shake when in gear, out of gear or does it not matter?

 

If I leave it what is likely to happen over time?

 

I need to get a timing belt kit change done which is about £650 so I would rather wait a while as the clutch on the car seems good

 

@SuperbTWM

Depends on the sort of failure I would guess.

 

I had an AWX engine in a B5.5 Passat and that DMF had locked up and the vibration was felt at idle in the cabin most noticeably but moving also until at higher speeds where the vibration blended in with normal road vibrations. It really was very annoying. 
 

If it’s just the gearstick that is vibrating and there are no other vibrations felt in the cabin it might just be worn out bushes or bushings in the gearstick or linkages causing the gearstick to move under normal vibrations of the engine and gearbox. 
 

maybe post a video?
 

 

Thanks @SuperbTWM

 

I will see if I can get a video up of it.

 

Its really only at idle and Ive listened for the "clatter" when turning off the engine but only heard a tiny bit once so not sure.

 

I assume it will just get worse if it is it until I get it changed. I assume I can drive on it for a while?

 

I am thinking of getting the alternator changed as its 20 years old but reading online it may not be worth it just alternator pulley?

 

I know alternators wear but is it mileage or age?  Or a combination? Car has done 98k over 20 years so not sure if just use to fails but as getting all auxiliary belts done and tensioner thought Id get the alternator changed as well nut it seems the original ones were the best?

 

Thanks for your input so far, good to learn more on these as they are great cars

As long as the althernator is charging OK and the freewheel pulley is working I would leave it alone for the time being. The pulley can sometimes make a bit of a 'ticking' noise if its on its way out or cause the tensioner to move bounce if its totally locked up. If you take the aux. belt off the pulley should spin the alternator one way but not the other (although they usually have a decent amount of resistance in the non-driving direction) If you give it a quick spin with your hand either way you should get it to slip one way but not the other.

 

Worst case scenario with a failing DMF is that it seperates and causes damage but IMO its rare and the car should be fine until you get round to changing it.