Ford DMF help please?

[Cavcraft]

Been offered a 2001 Y plate Mondeo which the seller describes as a 'TDDil' and says (when questioned) that he'd 'had the DMF check when the car was MOT'd a few weeks ago'.Can you actually check the DMF? I assumed it was one of those things that just threw it's hand in whenever it decided it was time? Also is there a way of telling if they're on the way out please?Cheers in advance.

[FredTransit]

I didn't think there was a 'health' test for the DMF either. I think you have to wait till you hear bits of it jingling through the starter motor.....

[alf892]

You can check by attenting to rotate the flywheel........as the DMF is essentially two different parts then will be a small amount of radial play before the whole lot (ie there can be play before the crank will turn) turns. This is measured by the number of teeth represented by the play.Generally though a knackered one will make itself heard. There can be other symtoms including cutting out and erratic running as the timing is thrown out.This made sense when I wrote it.......I hope it does when you read it!Mind you I don't know how you would check this during an MoT as I cannot recall whether there is a removable cover near the flywheel. I will find out tomorrow unless somebody has a better answer by then

[Cavcraft]

That's brilliant, thanks folks, much appreciated.

[Mr Lobster]

I'd say the seller is spinning you a load of cobblers tbh. I'm almsot certain it's not really 'checkable', certainly not whilst it's being MOTd anyway.

[pogweasel]

Generally though a knackered one will make itself heard.

How? What sort of noise??

[Richard]

Massive amounts of shunt on the over run I think.

[Cavcraft]

Ta. Being honest I think I've over-valued it anyhow, I would have thought it was worth £1500 but on eBay at least it would seem a around a grand was the benchmark for a 2001 five door with pretty good mileage.

[STUNO]

wots DMF

[Guest]

wots DMF

Dual mass flywheelModern diesel engines generate high torque and as a result they need extra smoothing out or “dampingâ€Â. To help with this process a DMF (Dual Mass Flywheel) is fitted. This is effectively two flywheels that transmit the drive through a number of springs which cushion the drive to the transmission.

[Cavcraft]

Dual mass flywheel.

[Albert Ross]

Dual Mass Flywheel, designed for numptys with poor clutch control to help them NOT stall it and dampen out drivetrain vibration etc.........A flywheel within a flywheel almost, just held into place by gubbins internally.

[STUNO]

TA..I'm edjerkated now. Thanks to all

[warren t claim]

The DMF is the reason you cannot give away TX2 hackneys! Even after they have been replaced by a solid unit.Same Duratorque engine as the base model transit, in fact the guy who owns a big van rental fleet in Wirral recons he loses one transit a week to taxi driving engine thieves.1500 is top money for a Mondeo of that vintage though. Eight year old ex taxi's change hands for 500 quid upwards around here.

[Cavcraft]

Aye, looking at that right now Warren. Even I can't understand how Vectras diesels of a similar vintage seem to do slightly more money.Back to the drawing board I think...

[warren t claim]

Aye, looking at that right now Warren. Even I can't understand how Vectras diesels of a similar vintage seem to do slightly more money.Back to the drawing board I think...

To really make you cry I missed out on a very tidy 406 hdi90 for 350 quid! For an eight and a half year old car that is good value! Even with nearly 200k one owner miles!

[Cavcraft]

Cheers but wouldn't have gone for it mate. Got a real downer on Peugeots at the moment

[Guest]

Even with nearly 200k one owner miles!

Pah thats a low mileage one

[pogweasel]

AYE CARUMBA. That's an average of 125 miles a day, everyday since registration.

[alf892]

Confirmation.....There is no test that can be done with the gearbox in place. The only diagnostic clue you have are noise really. Most noticeable at idle as a mechanical rattle/clatter and or a ratlle/clatter when you switch the engine off as it comes to a stop.If you want the full tech bulletin if anyone wants it.....very similar applies to all ford dmfs

[Mr Lobster]

or a ratlle/clatter when you switch the engine off as it comes to a stop.

Seen an awful lot of new Transits exhibiting these symptoms - rattly sound as they are switched off and wondered what it was. Thing is, they they seem to be able to do it for quite some time as I have a few here that have been doing it for ages.

[FredTransit]

It's the best way to annoy a Mk6 owner, ask em how their DMF is. It's a £600 job minimum, more if the clutch goes. More if the starter gets bits of the DMF caught in it.

[Milford Cubicle]

I have driven a few vehicles fitted with DMF and I haven't noticed an appreciable difference in smoothness compared with the old (but less torquey) diesels I'm used to.Complication for complication's sake I think.

[FredTransit]

Yes indeed MC, this is very true.

[alf892]

Too true. Even ford know this is true. Some fleets are getting single mass fitted under warranty. Latest clutches are terrible if the slightest bit of heat build up.........dealers blame the driver. This is increasingly not true....the DMF cannot dissipate heat as well single.

[oldford]

A bit of sellers logic:The DMF didn't fly apart when the smoke test was done, therefore it must be good.Isn't one of the first signs, the starter motor packing up as it gets bits of flywheel in it?

[warren t claim]

Has anyone ever noticed any real difference in the driving of a DMF car that has had a solid flywheel conversion?

[Richard]

I believe some of the peakier diesel engines are rendered all but undrivable by a solid flywheel conversion.The 110HDi Xantia I had with a solid flywheel was extremely lively while the C5 with the same engine but a DMF feels very sluggish. I don't know if the DMF is responsible or if there are other differences.

[r.welfare]

Presumably a C5 weighs a fair bit more than a Xantia, which may account for at least some of the difference? It's certainly physically a much bigger car.Can you get retrofit solid flywheels for cars originally fitted with DMF's?

[Richard]

When we had both cars I compared the dimensions in the handbook and I'm sure there wasn't much more than a couple of inches in it anywhere. The C5 is a much flimsier car than the Xantia so it probably doesn't weigh any more. I know they have the same towing limit anyway.

 

You can buy solid flywheel kits for most DMF-equipped cars.

 

 

Edit- very little in it

 

C5

 

Xantia