Hi Will

DMFs seem to me a dreadful invention with numerous people suffering early failure, I'm sure driving tecnique has something to do with it but the failure rate to my mind is unacceptable. I have steered clear of cars fitted with DMFs until recently when I bought a Peugeot 406 Hdi fitted with one, when I bought it the clutch pedal biting point was high combined with a squeal sometimes when you let the clutch in. As I bought the car cheap I half expected a failure but so far have covered 12,000 miles with no apparant deterioration and the car has covered over 200,000 miles - but I do drive very gently. I sold a CitroenXM diesel at 292k whith the original clutch although it had started slipping it was still quite driveable.

The difference between clutch and flywheel failure are again dependent on driving style, as you mention 'riding' the clutch with cause clutch wear but shold not cause DMF failure, that is caused by the load put on it, towing can increase wear on both clutch and DMF but not necessaraly, it depends on how gently or fiercely you pull away.

There is not really any neccesity to slip the clutch on most diesels when pulling away as the torque available will move you off at tickover on the flat at least, but there is no doubt that rapid take off's at high revs will considerably shorten the life of both components.

Peter

Edited by Peter.N. on 28/02/2012 at 10:17

Dear All

I've sadly fallen victim to dual mass flywheel issues on my 9 month old Audi A1. I've lookeda round the internet and have discovered that DMF have been troublesome for all amnner of cars and warranties are not lived up to as the retailers blame it on driving style. I read on this website that the difference in wear can be visible on a damaged clutch and flywheel between DMF being faulty and riding the clutch. Can anyone perhaps describe what this would look like or point me in the dirrection of where to find this information.

Kind regards

Will Dracott

Hi Will, Oh how I wish I had looked on the Forum before buying A1 1.6TDI new in April 2012. My husband and I were on the motorway over taking a lorry when there was a bang and car stopped. My husband immediately recognised that is was the clutch and we had to be towed off the motorway. On contacting Audi warranty were told that it was wear and tear and driver style, basically riding the clutch! But that it not so. Thirty One years of driving and never burning out a clutch, not going to start now. They then tried to tell us that we had voided the warrantly as they had not been involved in the recovery. You don't argue with 2 burly Policemen that you have to wait to be recovered by Audi whilst on a busy motorway, you do as they tell you. At present car is on ramp in an Audi garage ( by that I mean an authorised by Audi garage) and they want £1800 to repair clutch. I was informed by person dealing with my problem that he has never seen this on an Audi A1 before and had looked on the internet but there was no problems to be found. I assume he thought I was internet illiterate and I promptly trailed the web to find this problem is common place and that Audi warranty issue the same statement that it is driver style and not covered. The Dealer whom I purchased this car from are trying their best and Audi UK have called garage involved to get the work done at no cost to ourselves. Needless to say one week later still up on ramp with no repair done!!!

Edited by Al3 on 25/06/2012 at 13:28