Technical Dual Mass Flywheel?

[acfunduro]

Hi to all. Our 2014 500L Twin Air is vibrating badly when changing up from 2nd to 3rd. The whole car vibrates. The car vibrates way more than normal when idling. It's been in the main dealer for 10 days while they try to figure it out. They have replaced an engine mounting and a drive shaft seal but it makes no difference. Could it be a dual mass fly wheel? The car is under warranty so it's no cost to me. c. 45k miles

Thanks
Adrian

 

[AndyRKett]

Usually if there was an imbalance in the flywheel it would be shaking all the time. If a dual mass flywheel deteriorates then normally you’d notice a loud clunk when you go to pull away as the two parts of the flywheel crash together, no longer cushioned by the springs in the flywheel.

It’s not to say there might not be other problems but from what you describe it see,s unlikely to be the flywheel

 

[acfunduro]

Thanks for the reply. I think the garage are out of repair options. They mentioned the DMF to me. I am to drive it for a few days and come back to them with feedback and they will see what they can do next. The car vibrates in the cabin way more than usual at idle and gear selection and change is not as smooth as it used to be. I plan on test drive tomorrow Saturday for an hour or so taking notes and video (where safe to do so on a private road). It's very concerning as currently no one would want to buy it off us.
AC

 

[acfunduro]

Update:
the car has gone back to the garage with the following list of issues. I have no idea what's causing this and the Christine movie is coming to mind. I am driving a 2008 VW Passat 2.0 TDi and while plenty fast I want my Fiat back!


Lots of in car noise when the engine is started

Difficult to select gears when changing up. 1st to 2nd gear difficult as is 2nd to 3rd.

Serious vibration changing from 2nd to 3rd when revs go above 3,000 rpm

Car losing power on slight inclines – video taken to demonstrate this on a recent trip to Dublin

Rattle or knocking heard from the engine when accelerating

When on a motorway trip the knocking got really bad and the yellow engine warning light came on. The car lost power and shifting down in the gears didn’t bring the speed back up. I pulled the car over to the hard shoulder and turned off the engine. I turned it on after a few minutes and the light was off so I drove home.

The car lost power unexpectedly on the M50 motorway in the middle lane – dangerous as trucks left and right. I had to shift to 3rd to get the speed up again.

Turning on the heater or air conditioning leads to noticeable rattle from the engine. It doesn’t’ sound good so car is being driven with the aircon switched off.

Car lost power going up to Frankfield. I had to shift from 3rd to 2nd to 1st and pull in as no effect when the accelerator pressed.

Engine is noisy when started.

 

[acfunduro]

[ame]https://youtu.be/GB38WkIjGXU[/ame]

This clip shows the issue with lack of power. Please don't judge me harshly for filming while driving; I know it's dangerous but it was on stretch of motorway and the car was in cruise control. What can be observed is the car in 6th gear at 112kph gradually losing power down to 90kph going up a gradual incline - not Mt Everest. The electric BMW i3 in the shot was burning me. This is nuts from a previously very nippy twin air - a car that we have to set the speed warning on at 130kph (80mph) as the car will happily spin up to very high speeds. Shifting down didn't even increase revs - they stayed at 3k rpm. At my wits end here.

 

[acfunduro]

Fiat has given the go ahead to the dealer to drop the gearbox and inspect for further issues. Money pit avoided. Dual mass flywheel the main suspect. I'll update as to what happens when I know.

 

[acfunduro]

The dual mass fly wheel is the culprit. It has damaged the bell housing cover so that is on order. All under warranty thankfully. I'm getting the clutch changed while they are at it. I am hoping it will be ready on Wednesday next.

 

[multipete]

Great result!

 

[acfunduro]

I collected the car today. Fiat instructed the dealer to put a new engine in it. It drives great and I am delighted with the outcome although it took a few months.