DMF failing or something else?

[snibbo71]

Hi all,
I think I know the answer already, but wanting to confirm before shelling out and getting the van up in the air again

2.4, DI, RWD, 2005 plate, 108,000 miles.

I've driven it some good distances this week, and it's not skipped a beat at all. But, if I hold the gear stick for more than a few seconds I feel like I'll end up with Reynaud's syndrome! It's not a particularly large movement, but it's very high frequency and makes my hand tingle if I hold it too long. It is rev related rather than speed. At about 1200rpm it vibrates considerably slower but also with considerably more lateral movement. The higher frequency vibration is also transmitted to the pedals and on occasion to the steering wheel. Seems to be worse when first started before the engine warms up.

When downshifting to come to a roundabout or slower traffic, when I release the clutch I hear a short 'chirping' sound at just beyond the bite point, which I initially thought was the belt tensioner (although that's relatively new) as it sounds like a worn bearing getting grumpy. But it only happens when downshifting.

While driving the van sounds, for want of a better description, throaty. Like something's not quite right with her. She pulls OK (for a 90 lol). Gear shifts are smooth (now I've changed the gearbox oil) and there's no codes. I don't think she sounds bad enough for it to be diesel knock, but she does sound like she's noisier/throatier than I'd expect.

From what I've seen online, this could be DMF failing, but what level of vibration through the gearstick is normal as she's an old van, and what is DMF failing?

Thanks for all your help previously everyone, the speedo is working fine now I tightened up the output shaft nut, and the kangaroo jumping at 3000 rpm is also fixed since I adjusted the tension of the turbo wastegate actuator Look forward to your replies for the vibrating gearstick!

[Altransit]

I would concur that the DMF is failing, but lets see what the clever guys think

[knobby1]

108k miles isn't that much for a TDDi...My Mk7 has more miles on it, ~124k miles or 200k km... and still has the original clutch with no DMF issues.

Do you get a rattle at idle in neutral with your foot off the clutch..?? If the vibration is at engine speed, I wonder if your crank pulley is not happy?? Worth checking....although the Mk6 crank pulleys are pretty good compared to the Mk7's.

Could be the DMF but it's worth eliminating all the possibilities before condemning it.

You ask "and what is a DMF failing?" The DMF = dual mass flywheel, this means it has a "floating" spring loaded secondary mass within the flywheel which essentially eliminates the normal diesel vibrations, when they start to fail they tend to rattle at low rpm with no load....sometimes they actually lock up at one side of their rotational travel. It's a fairly common issue and not just confined to Transits.

There is a solid flywheel conversion which a lot of people do...but there is a school of thought which suggests the solid flywheels give the gearbox a hard time..Some people like them, some don't.

Lord Knobrot

[twin--turbo]

The puma duratorque engine is lets say "Gruff" but "purpusfull" . if it's running fine and not throwign any codes then it may be fine, DMF failing will show itself in other ways eventualy through poor running/idle or starting issue.

if you have not had the van long, not used to a TDCI engie then it may be normal. if you have had it a while and this is new then different matter.

As ever difficult to tell via internet diagnosis.

[snibbo71]

Hi guys,
As ever, thanks for the replies!

@Knobby1, apologies, my question of "what is a DMF failing" was around how much vibration is normal for a 20 year old van versus how much you might expect if the DMF is failing.
There's no obvious rattle sounds at idle, though the vibration is still present through the gearstick - though not as pronounced as at higher revs. Pressing the clutch makes no discernable difference at all - except that releasing the clutch when changing down does do the short chirruping "metal on metal" sound mentioned above. Is it worth trying to have a listen with the stethoscope on the bell housing? I'll have a closer look at the crank pulley, though it appears to be the solid type on cursory inspection.

@twin--turbo - Gruff is a good word for it, that's probably the way it's meant to sound then. She is gruff She starts first time every time, even when left for months. Idles well - though does vibrate a fair bit. I've had her for a couple of years now but only done about 2000 miles in her. It's not a new vibration but as I'm doing more miles this year it's become more irritating. The chirruping metal on metal sound on the downshift concerns me a little. She's a converted camper van so there's a decent bit of investment in her, and rust wise she's pretty sound so worth the effort I feel. She's also become a bit of an obsession

@altransit - You'll be a lot cleverer than me on this - it's my first Transit, though I rather like them now

I'll see if I can get a video up somewhere of the stick vibration and see if you can determine whether that's normal or not.

Thanks again everyone!