Im having a new starter motor being fitted to my 150k Diesel VRS this week. Only recently also had a new clutch and DMF fitted to. The flywheel was quite badely worn, would this have increased the wear rate on the startor motor ?

Found some info, swarf left over from a worn DMF can lead to early wear on the startor motor 

Edited 10 February, 20251 yr by wd20

Sons clutch disentegrated and a lot of the clutch fibres ended up in and around starter motor so quite possible it could jam the engage of the starter What are the symptoms of the starter failing If the clutch and dmf have just been changed check wiring is tight and secure. It wouldn't be the first time a terminal hasn't been tightned properly after a clutch change.

Alasdair

3 hours ago, wd20 said:

Found some info, swarf left over from a worn DMF can lead to early wear on the startor motor 

 

No doubt that info came from the people who did the clutch and are justifying you now needing a new starter motor.

 

It is wrong on so many levels.

I trust my mechanic and he is of the opinion  that at 150k the starter motor are known to get ‘tired’. I did read that failing DMF can generate amounts of swarth which can damage them ?

Your statement followed by a question mark, is that a question to me?

 

If so then please rephrase it so I can understand what you are asking me.

@wd20

If this helps at all ........ The DMF was replaced by the seller when I purchased my Octavia back in 2011 as it was showing signs of beginning to fail. (Rattling)

 

The clutch was not done and the clutch showed no issues in the following 13 years that I owned it.

 

I had NO issues with the starter motor either, in all that time.

 

To be fair I didn't do lots of miles though, circa 4k to 5k annually.

As i havent changed out a starter motor since my mk2 cortina i was intrested to know the cause of possible failure.  admittely ive kept the car at high mileage but i intend on keeping it a while.

@wd20 I'm no mechanic ......... but has the car had any starting issues at all???

 

(My Octavia was 5 years older than yours with similar mileage to yours too.)

 

I do not think I would be replacing it if it hadn't any starting issues, but only you know how much you trust your mechanic.

Ive owned the car virtually since new, so got to know it somewhat. The battery has done less than 5k, the alternator less than 2k, plus it dosent sound right if that makes sense 

On 10/02/2025 at 13:58, wd20 said:

Im having a new starter motor being fitted to my 150k Diesel VRS this week. Only recently also had a new clutch and DMF fitted to. The flywheel was quite badely worn, would this have increased the wear rate on the startor motor ?

 

On 10/02/2025 at 15:38, wd20 said:

Found some info, swarf left over from a worn DMF can lead to early wear on the startor motor 

 

23 hours ago, wd20 said:

trust my mechanic and he is of the opinion  that at 150k the starter motor are known to get ‘tired’.

 

20 hours ago, wd20 said:

i was intrested to know the cause of possible failure

 

You have not said if your starter motor has failed and in which manner I will assume that it has or is it that your mechanic is recommending its replacement because "at 150k the starter motor are known to get ‘tired" could you please confirm.

 

If the starter is no longer turning the engine over the most obvious cause is its removal and refitting during the clutch replacement, probably a loose connection to the main starter feed or the engine earth. What you have read is implausible, a DMF during its life does not produce "swarf", a catastrophically failed Sachs clutch pressure plate can chew up the aluminium bellhousing and gearbox casing but you would have lost all clutch action and the graunching sounds are unmistakeable.

 

When a clutch plate wears it produces frictino material dust, not swarf, this could hypothetically cause the starter pinion to stick on the shaft, not really heard of on VAG engines which have pretty much bullet proof starter motors. Once again it would help if you were to confirm what problems if any you had with the starter motor and when.

4 hours ago, Tilt said:

@wd20  ......... but has the car had any starting issues at all???

 

 

Yes very slow cranking plus noise. I will know either way this week when new starter motor is fitted. I will update on the outcome.

Sometimes it's like pulling teeth trying to get an answer to a simple question, Lol.

 

Very slow cranking could just be your battery me thinks. ??? ......... I could be wrong

 

I was trying to save you money but as you are going ahead with it, lets hope it sorts your issue. 

I was thinking the same, this thread and another one currently, many before that.

 

Common themes are asking for a diagnosis without giving relevant details having already given a garage the go ahead to do the work, I believe to see whether they are being taken and then defending the person they suspect of it.

New starter motor fitted today. Old one was faulty. Like new again.

That is good news........