Volkswagen Golf Mk iv 2001 MY PD Tdi 115 PS - Dual Mass Flywheel - Replace with Single Mass f/w?

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Mon 19 Apr 2021 21:00
Volkswagen Golf Mk iv 2001 MY PD Tdi 115 PS - Dual Mass Flywheel - Replace with Single Mass f/w? - 547HEW

Not been on here for quite a while but have owned this car from new and at 280,000 miles the DMF is just starting tap lightly on tip in from idle drive in 2nd gear. The tap-tap-tap is from 900 rpm to 1100 rpm.

I just wondered if it would be best to replace the DMF like for like, or go SMF. I am sure a Cal change should go with the SMF, so just sticking one in might cause idle instability?

Would be interested in any experience of replacing DMF's with SMF's

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Mon 19 Apr 2021 22:44
Volkswagen Golf Mk iv 2001 MY PD Tdi 115 PS - Dual Mass Flywheel - Replace with Single Mass f/w? - focussed

At 280,000 miles just replace the DMF. How long will the gearbox last with a single mass flywheel?

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Tue 20 Apr 2021 08:28
Volkswagen Golf Mk iv 2001 MY PD Tdi 115 PS - Dual Mass Flywheel - Replace with Single Mass f/w? - Bolt

At 280,000 miles just replace the DMF. How long will the gearbox last with a single mass flywheel?

From what friends tell me of putting smf in golfs the gearbox doesn`t last very long which was iirc reason they were fitted in the first place, dampen the torque

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Tue 20 Apr 2021 08:51
Volkswagen Golf Mk iv 2001 MY PD Tdi 115 PS - Dual Mass Flywheel - Replace with Single Mass f/w? - skidpan

All the turbo diesels we owned between 1996 and 2015 were fitted with a DMF with the exception of one which was a Kia Ceed 1.6 CRDi. Never heard of anyone complaining about gearbox failure but it would have been designed to work with an SMF thus up to the job.

Compared to the DMF equipped diesels it was a bit agricultural as you moved off and until it was fitted with a revised engine map after about 2 years you could not use 6th gear much below 60 mph and 5th below 50 mph. The Focus we had before the Ceed was quite happy in 5th at 40 mph and 5th was much higher on the Focus, it was only a 5 speed box. The revised map helped but it was still not as refined in the drive train as the Focus (or other DMF fitted diesels).

One thing to note, the very rare 2.0 CRDi Ceed was fitted with a DMF.

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Tue 20 Apr 2021 12:36
Volkswagen Golf Mk iv 2001 MY PD Tdi 115 PS - Dual Mass Flywheel - Replace with Single Mass f/w? - 547HEW

Thanks very much for the advice given above. If I replace it I will definitely fit another, presumably LUK, DMF.

The car wont go through the next MoT (Jan 2022) without the sills being welded. I shall get an estimate for that, before fitting a new DMF.

The whole purpose (apart from very efficient and comfortable transport ) of continuing to run this car is to see how long the Unit Injectors last. They are OE, and have never been out.

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Fri 23 Apr 2021 06:15
Volkswagen Golf Mk iv 2001 MY PD Tdi 115 PS - Dual Mass Flywheel - Replace with Single Mass f/w? - S40 Man

Re the DMF is it undriveable or just a bit noisy. It sounds like your car might be a bit old 280 k and starting to get rusty.

My old S40 had what I think was a noisy DMF around idle but cleared up with a few revs. It was present from 130-180k miles and never actually caused a problem when driving.

It depends if the DMF is causing any damage to itself, irrelevant if you can replace it, it anything else, gearbox, clutch etc.

I might be mined to ignore it.

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Sun 25 Apr 2021 18:41
Volkswagen Golf Mk iv 2001 MY PD Tdi 115 PS - Dual Mass Flywheel - Replace with Single Mass f/w? - Big John

The car wont go through the next MoT (Jan 2022) without the sills being welded. I shall get an estimate for that, before fitting a new DMF.

I wouldn't bother if it's in needs of major welding and a new DMF/ clutch. I'd put money on further major jobs being required. Check the condition of the front subframe, rear suspension beam and where it attaches and the state of the front wings (with the diesel extra soundproofing foam traps moisture)

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Sat 1 May 2021 13:42
Volkswagen Golf Mk iv 2001 MY PD Tdi 115 PS - Dual Mass Flywheel - Replace with Single Mass f/w? - 547HEW

Many thanks to the above two posters.

Extreme red face dept. here. I've been under it and found a couple of loose exhaust heat shields. I wasn't sure re-retaining them would do the trick but it has! The noise is eliminated.

But thanks for the corrosion pointers - (front wings were done about 3 years ago).

I will report back after I see my tame welder.

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Sun 2 May 2021 10:46
Volkswagen Golf Mk iv 2001 MY PD Tdi 115 PS - Dual Mass Flywheel - Replace with Single Mass f/w? - Big John

Extreme red face dept. here. I've been under it and found a couple of loose exhaust heat shields. I wasn't sure re-retaining them would do the trick but it has! The noise is eliminated.

Good outcome - it's always worth having a few " Exhaust Heat Shield Clip Nut Washers" kicking around as they do rust and drop off. If you search on the above you'll find them for a couple of quid or so. Heat shields are now part of the MOT as well.

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