Technical flywheel broken on 3 year old 4x4

Currently reading:
Technical flywheel broken on 3 year old 4x4

Probably no help, but to those who have not yet suffered, part of the trick in preserving the dual mass flywheel (DMF) is to 'ease away gently' from a stand still, rather than dropping the clutch for a racing start. This doesn't mean driving like an old fart... just showing 'respect' to the mechanisms in the flywheel (and the gearbox too in passing)

Another cause of DMF stress is not changing down early enough as the car slows down, leading to extra engine judder, adding stress to the flywheel. For the diesel, that means keeping it at or above 'peak torque' which is at 1500 rpm. I think the TwinAir reaches peak torque at 1900 rpm, so best to not labour it below that as that will stress the DMF.

And, never sit with the car in gear, stationary, with the clutch held down. Put the handbrake on (also stops you dazzling the car behind with your brake lights), and the car in neutral. This prevents the flywheel overheating and preserves the clutch release bearing too.

The problem is, for those that don't know, that the flywheel is actually two parts able to move independently, with a set of springs keeping them together. Any judder in the engine - caused by the naturally 'rough' idle of the TwinAir or a diesel at low revs as you start to move off – is absorbed by the springs and leads to a smoother drive. Driving in ways that reduce the chance of that judder (such as going gently at low engine speeds, not demanding full power until the car has got going, and not 'labouring' the engine on hills) will protect the DMF.


See here for more info: https://haynes.com/en-gb/tips-tutorials/what-dual-mass-flywheel-and-what-does-it-do
 
Last edited:
From my experience with two 4x4's, Super Unleaded has helped torque in 2nd gear from 10 mph when keeping going at roundabouts, which has reduced a pronounced shudder on supermarket fuel. I've never pretended I have a 1.2 again.The 4x4 gearing on the TA means 4th to 6th are better used on A roads, carriageways and motorways.While the OP's car was Fiat Fleet, only now do dealers put a disclaimer on listings regarding fleet/multiple users.

If I was a driver for Paragon at Portbury for example and I thought "I'm having this car" I'd be incredibly sympathetic with it. If I was a lot younger and a bit of a loon I may not be. Maybe just a case of bad luck. My first TA 4x4 felt it's age and I was owner number 2. My current car at only 23 months old felt like new. If I have any issues, probably my own fault (you haven't seen me drive). No reason that it won't last 7 years or better, that's what modern cars are built for. Or in the case of Vauxhall, 3. Which is why I have fairly new cars nowadays.
 
Back
Top