A lot of modern diesel engines have had problems with Dual Mass Flywheel failure due to the torque generated by modern diesel engines,Fords, VW's andToyota Rav 4's to name but a few.A search of owners forums will show it is not uncommon.
Quote: Originally posted by daved on 06/11/2008
No this was a genuine argument unfortunately, nowt to do with winding up but watch this space , and I was supervised this time
Quote: Originally posted by daved on 06/11/2008
Surely thats an inherant engineering problem ?
It is, as I said earlier, cars built down to a price, presumably these components might last longer if the car is not driven to its limit(ie revved to the max thru the gears)& heavy braking avoided, particularly when towing.
------------- Sell my camper? I'd rather eat school semolina!
DMF failure is more likely to be caused by incorrect gear selection letting the engine labour at lower revs especially when towing.The function of a DMF is to reduce the vibration caused by the high torque produced by modern diesel engines' to make them more acceptable to todays motorist.
I think it's a case of you dont know until it plays up, and then you start looking on owner's forums to learn about these components.
Interesting point on awareness though - my Mondeo contracted accute DMF syndrome, but looking back on my driving, i was a sod for labouring the engine. Thinking it wouldn't do any harm. I thought the lower the revs the better and if anything, was actually paranoid of over-revving. (more so when towing)
I've got a 1600 petrol focus now, so it dont matter what the hell you do with the revs, it's speed is governed more by wind-speed and gradient now ;-)
With the old solid flywheel the problem didn't exist and it was common practice to let a diesel engine labour,so I wouldn't say it was driver abuse ,rather a lack of awareness or lack of information from the vehicle manufacturers.Over the last few years,with the refinement of the diesel engines more motorists are using them for towing ,coupled with the increase in weight of most caravans there is a tendancy to let the engine labour.The best advice I was given is to drive as though it is an automatic and change down earlier as an auto would.
I doubt whether your handbook will tell you if it has a DMF but most of the modern diesel engine cars do.The problem occours frequently with cars used for towing as they are not specifically designed for the task.in fact my Honda CRV handbook states that it is designed primarily to carry passengers and their luggage.
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Topic: towing cars
but watch this space , and I was supervised this time 
