Technical How smooth is your Croma when releasing the clutch?

[NoMeanFiat]

Mine (06 1.9 jtd dynamique) is really juddery most of the time when i'm pulling away 9and sometimes into 2nd/3rd when going slow). It's not the actually running of the engine - that's excellent - it feels like it's as the clutch is biting. It really makes the engine knock about as it engages.
I can somtimes really ride the clutch and make it smooth, and funnily enough, if it's rolling backward (imagine starting from the lights on the tiniest of inclines, no handbrake) and I put into 1st then pull away, the clutch is always normal, quite smooth in fact. It's as if it's that first "turn" of the engine from standstill as the clutch plate engages with it (?) that's making it knock about or judder.
It also seems to get a single knock when changing gear and accelerating during normal speeds in most of the gears. Again, not as though it's related to the running of the engine, just when the clutch bites and you put the gas on. It's almost as if the clutch is throwing the engine block around or the engine mounts are loose?

It was serviced a few weeks ago, and the mechanic drove it and said it was fine (I hadn't mentioned this to him then - and I forgot to ask specifically afterwards). Is it just what they do or should it be smoother?

I have been used to Auto gearboxes over the last few years, but not always - i've got plenty of experience with manuals - so pretty sure it's not my driving.

I'd love to love this car, it goes so well generally, but I commute in it through town traffic and this poor clutch operation is doing my head in :bang:

(anyone wanna swap for an auto? )

 

[Ffoxy]

Take a close look at the engine / gearbox mounts, look for signs of seperation between the rubber centre & steel backing, particularly if there are any signs of oil seepage on to any particular mounting. While you're under there tale a look at the exhaust mountings, make sure all are secure, that the exhaust isnt running too close to an under-body item & that the back pipe hanger is secure.
Clutch pick up on a manual car should be smooth providing the driver is using proper engine / clutch pedal balance at take up time & doing gearchanges correctly.

 

[DoIDon'tI]

I hate to say it, but try putting the words 'Vectra' and 'DMF' into Google...hope it's not though

 

[Ffoxy]

I hate to say it, but try putting the words 'Vectra' and 'DMF' into Google...hope it's not though

Nah... had the EGR problem in my Grande MJet & the symptoms described here by the OP are quite different.

 

[DoIDon'tI]

DMF = Dual Mass Flywheel. Confused as to what the EGR has to do with the DMF?

 

[Ffoxy]

DMF = Dual Mass Flywheel. Confused as to what the EGR has to do with the DMF?

Doh... 1,000 apologies... My bad... sorry Mr DoIDontI... Speed-reading is just SO wrong!

So... DMF... A likely culprit indeed... worth researching at least, plenty DMF info on the 'Web

 

[bobphilipse]

Is your gearknob steady, no back and forth ?
Do you hear any sound when throttle is released in 5th or 6th gear ?
I had a new gearbox, clutch, DMF, and it fixed all the problems you have.

 

[Radlet6]

I hate to say it, but try putting the words 'Vectra' and 'DMF' into Google...hope it's not though

I did that, but what is more scary is the host, nay swarm of videos re Skoda/VW/Audi DSG failures which can cost up to £4,500 to rectify.

I suddenly feel quite warm and cosy.

BTW, it looks like DMF failure is not just a FIAT thing, there are vids from other marques too.

Anyone know where I can find a reasonable Mark III Cortina, at least they only wore out camshafts?

 

[Ffoxy]

I did that, but what is more scary is the host, nay swarm of videos re Skoda/VW/Audi DSG failures which can cost up to £4,500 to rectify.

I suddenly feel quite warm and cosy.

BTW, it looks like DMF failure is not just a FIAT thing, there are vids from other marques too.

Anyone know where I can find a reasonable Mark III Cortina, at least they only wore out camshafts?

Check out the prices in Classic Car... Any Ford from the 70's / 80's are stupidly pricey if in good nick!!! I take the point though, in fact DMF's, EGR's, DPF's & Turbo's were my main reason for losing the Grande Punto MJet I had in favour of a normally aspirated 1.6 Hyundai i30 & I dont regret it at all, I just miss the power I had!

 

[s130]

As much as I love my Croma 16V MJET I too am not impressed by the complexity and failures of the modern DMF, EGR etc.

I'm in the process of doing the Cambelt on mine. Was not happy about the water pump spindle being sloppy and noisy either. This is a 5 Year, 50K mile change I'm doing. I doubt the water pump would have made it to 70K miles before letting go and potentially crashing the valves into the pistons. Stupid idea to yet another failable item in the timing train. Also compared to a petrol engine cam belt change the diesel engine is more involed.

When I change cars I think, despite towing a caravan, I might go back to a nice 1.8L or 2.0L petrol engine.

 

[Ffoxy]

As much as I love my Croma 16V MJET I too am not impressed by the complexity and failures of the modern DMF, EGR etc.

I'm in the process of doing the Cambelt on mine. Was not happy about the water pump spindle being sloppy and noisy either. This is a 5 Year, 50K mile change I'm doing. I doubt the water pump would have made it to 70K miles before letting go and potentially crashing the valves into the pistons. Stupid idea to yet another failable item in the timing train. Also compared to a petrol engine cam belt change the diesel engine is more involed.

When I change cars I think, despite towing a caravan, I might go back to a nice 1.8L or 2.0L petrol engine.

It's taken me a year to adjust but I'm now in the right place with an N/A petrol car, peace of mind is priceless TBH, I had my fun in the GP but looking back now at things owners are seeing / experiencing I made the right move, for me anyway.

 

[NoMeanFiat]

Can you swear publicly on this forum? Sounds like the DMF to me (thanks for the tip on googling that)..... I'll ring my mechanic chap, see if he accepts kidneys.

Anyone else had to replace theirs?
Anyone tried fitting an old-style clutch (saw a chap on a Vauxhall forum who did, plus a link to a company who manufactures a sprung-hub replacement)
http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/engines-transmission/424313-cdti-f**kin-dmf-flywheel.html

 

[s130]

Replaced my DMF at 46K miles miles when the clutch cover pressure plate failed prematurely.

To replace the clutch/DFM/thrust bearning the gearbox of course has to be remove. This is not a DIY job unless you have access to a two post vehicle lift because the vehicle front subframe has to be completely removed to allow the gearbox to be dropped out.

If you have to send your DMF and clutch away so a non DMF flywheel can be manufactured and a sprung clutch plate correctly sourced then this is going to take a while to happen and meanwhile your car will stuck on the garage lift and thus depriving the garage of lift. For this to be practical you would need to have access to your own/private lift or go to a garage who have plenty of lifts and are willing to have your car occupy one of them for a week or so.

I do have my old DMF and Clutch & Thrust bearing which I am saving for just this scenario in case I have another failure myself.