Possible Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) issue?

[MontyA3]

Hi Everyone,

 

New to the forum here - thanks in advance for any support!

 

I recently purchased an Audi A3 2.0 tdi, it's at 85,000 miles and has a full service history. I do about 80 miles a day for my commute, so was really hoping I'd be stress free for longer than this, but hey-ho...

 

Last night I felt something strange while driving down the motorway (very vague, I know...). When I next stopped at traffic lights, I noticed shaking of the engine, perceptible through the pedals, and the rpm needle was giving little jumps of 100 or 200 rpm while idling. It's now consistently shaking, but that lessens while driving along. I heard one very brief rattle today while releasing the clutch, but it only happened once...

 

I don't believe the Dual mass flywheel has ever been changed, and my neighbourhood mechanic seems to think this the most likely cause (although the noise of engine shake is nothing like the clattering sound I've seen on videos of DMFs failing badly). He tells me not to worry about driving for the moment, but I'm nervous since I do cover a lot of miles and want the issue resolved ASAP.

 

Could anyone confirm if this is indeed a likely symptom of the DMF, or if there's any chance it's something else? I want to replace the DMF but I'll be annoyed if I spend £800-£1200 and that's not the answer. 

 

Thanks all for the help,

Glen

[Magnet]

Hello Glen,

Sorry to hear of your issue with the car. In the absence of other replies to date, my comments would be:- 

When you say you recently purchased the car - how recent, from what source, and what did the wording of the advert imply? 

It’s very difficult/ impossible to diagnose such issues without having the car. 

Down to the problem, 85K miles seems low to experience DMF issues, and indeed clutch issues in general, apart from possibly release bearing issues. Exceptions would be if the car has covered the mileage via. mostly frequent short local runs. 

Your neighbourhood mechanic may be right, but I would think this certainly warrants a number of second opinions before - as you say - spending a significant sum of money, only to find out you’ve been chasing an incorrect diagnosis. 

It this were mine, I would be seeking opinions from (a) a trusted local garage - probably leaving the car with them for a couple of days trial, and (b) taking it to a trusted diesel specialist and getting their opinion via. similar testing - this option being the preferred one. 

Kind regards,

Gareth.

[MontyA3]

Hi Gareth,

Thanks very much for the response: I'm really glad to hear you think it's a bit early for DMF/Clutch issues, but hope that doesn't mean it's something much harder to solve!

I bought the car at the end of August from a private seller (through gumtree). I realise the risk involved there, but I met with the guy at his home on a few occasions: he was selling because he had a new baby (I saw the pregnant wife on one visit and the newborn on another!) and he needed something bigger for his family of 5. His whole story checked out, he has a full service history from a local Audi specialist, it appeared to be immaculate and he seemed genuinely sorry to be saying bye to the car. If he was scamming me then he's very thorough!!! He had it MOTd the day I took it off him, and looking through the MOT history everything looked fine -really consistent 8000 miles or so per year, only one or two times with fails and passes the following day etc. etc.

It felt like it was running like a dream for the 6 weeks or so I've had it, but I do at least 80 miles a day on my commute, so I've put nearly 2000 miles on in that time... I'm not sure if it was doing only stop/start city runs or not for it's recent past, but we are living in Edinburgh so it's possible that city driving has been the recent history.

I've booked in with another Audi/Volkswagen specialist tomorow morning, so I'm hoping they can diagnose the issue in person. I've driven it to work the last two days (another 150 miles...)  and it appears to not be worsening for the moment. In fact the vibration while idling seems slightly less, but steady. There's the slightest falter when starting (and yesterday it took 3 attempts to start on one occasion after refuelling, but that just happened that one time). While driving the vibration/shaking isn't pereptible, unless in 6th gear at slower speeds and very low rpms (when I should have downshifted anyway...).

I understand this is not enough to go on without seeing the car, I just thought it was worth posting in case someone might say "I had exactly that issue and here's the solution". If I get the answer I'll post it here in the hope of helping someone else in the future.

 

Cheers,

Glen

[cliffcoggin]

Glen.

Another possible cause of variable engine shaking is a weak fuel mixture, often caused by an air leak into the intake or turbo connections, but also possible from faulty injectors. A detailed examination by a competent mechanic should isolate the fault.

[MontyA3]

Hi Cliff, Thanks very much for providing your opinion too.

 

It was checked out by an Audi specialist who did confirm that it was the Dual-Mass flywheel. They've changed the whole clutch kit (for £750 including VAT and labour), and said to me afterwards that it was badly damaged inside, and I could have easily damaged the gearbox if I'd driven much further. Interesting - as apart from the shaking, there wasn't too nasty a noise from the engine like those I've seen on youtube videos where the DMF was failing badly.

 

Sadly, there is still a small, regular vibration (like a much reduced version of the initial problem) while idling. The garage assure me that it's ok, and that they suspect that it will diminish over time, and may be a result of some damage done while the DMF was failing... But also mentioned injectors as a possible cause... They've sent me away for now to keep an eye on it.

 

Will keep this updated with any further developments, but thanks again for the contributions gents.

 

Glen

[cliffcoggin]

Glad to hear the problem is, or might be, solved. Thanks also for the update. It's sometimes disheartening when respondents don't reply to suggestions, or even have the courtesy to thank those who have assisted.

[Magnet]

Hello Glen, 

As with Cliff, glad to hear it appears to be sorted. I still maintain that 85K miles is unusually low for a DMF failure - wonder what happened there. 

£750 seems very very reasonable for a clutch kit, DMF and labour. You’ve done well at that price. Apologies, appreciate that’s a lot of funds, but there must be a little sunshine through the clouds at that price. 

Good luck and kind regards,

Gareth. 

[G13NNS]

Just a quick reply. My 2012 1.6 tdi had a new dual mass flywheel and cluch fitted (£930 all in) after only 67683 miles and after reading the above posts i now belive that i was bullpoo'ed into thinking that the last owner only did motorway miles acording to the independent dealer

[Magnet]

Hello Glen,

It has to taken as a fact of life that a salesman’s comments should always be digested with a pinch of salt!

Having said that 67K miles would have been taken as a low service life fo clutch - however (not abnormally) used. 

Now it seems that with plastic release bearing assemblies and dual mass flywheels, service life expectancy can be much lower. 

‘Fings ain’t what they used to be’, as they say. 

Kind regards,

Gareth.