Mondeo TDCi DMF Change - Costs/experiences

DaveyD

DaveyD

DaveyD

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Joined
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Hi guys,

Well, the inevitable has happened on my Mondeo. It's in for a service at the moment and for the garage to look in to a few funny noises and apparently the DMF is on its way out. I've been expecting it, but now the time has come to start thinking about what I need to do about it.

I'm not going to get it changed right now, as I want to do some shopping around and I don't have any problems starting the car or any of the big symptoms.

The car has done 62,000 miles, is an 04 plate. Although it's only done 62,000, I am now putting up to 20,000 per year on it, and I don't plan on getting rid of the car any time soon. I also got the car for the bargain of £750, so I've had a lot of value out of it so far.

Firstly, what should I be getting changed when I get the DMF changed?

The garage mentioned while the engine's apart from the gearbox, they should change the DMF, Starter Motor and clutch.

What kind of price should I expect for a decent garage to be charging for this work (parts + labour)? I've seen anything up to £1200 quoted from some searching, but I've also seen people say as little as £700, but don't know if that would have included the clutch too.

Secondly, I've also seen people change to a single mass flywheel. Are the new DMFs they fit still prone to the same failure? i.e. in another 60,000 miles, will I need to do this again?

Thanks in advance!

Dave
 
I think the dmf just went **** on my car (not a mondeo).
Pretty much from nowhere, although I did have an issue starting the car when the engine was hot; did you experience similar?

I notice they've recommended to change the starter too, any ideas why?

The single mass flywheel may be more reliable but the dmf, apparently, does a brilliant job of smoothing out the vibrations etc. You get what you pay for in this respect, I guess.
 
I believe the starter motor replacement is because (from what I have read) the swarf from the failure of the DMF gets nicely in to the starter motor, so often a dodgey starter motor is diagnosed as a problem, only to find the DMF takes out another one with more swarf.
 
IIRC im sure the new DMF's have been revised to ensure the issues now resolved? Might be worth checking that.

Clutch and starter motor are both worth doing yes. Could even chuck the used ones on that auction site afterwards if you wanted.

Is the single mass flywheel cheaper? Me personally, I would go for the single mass. The vibrations would bother me in the slightest. Your call though.
 
As above it's swarf from the DMF that bungs up the starter. My dad's DMF was on it's way out and the Ford repair garage offered to change all three (DMF, starter and clutch) for just shy of £1k IIRC.


Has the car done a fair bit of town driving (i.e., low revs, lots of gear changes)? That's the driving that absolutely ruins the DMF. However if your 20k/year will be 90% motorway you may find it lasts a bit longer than the current one did...
 
The DMF is designed to absorb some of the rather huge amounts of torque modern diesels produce, as well as reducing noise/vibration.
If you replace it with a normal single mass flywheel then you will put the full torque load through the transmission, potentially blowing the gearbox, diff' or driveshafts to pieces.

Just something to bear in mind! :eek:
 
I find it unlikely that using a standard flywheel on an engine that is designed for a dual mass flywheel is going to lead to a smoother engine, it might seem like it if the DMF was knackered ...which presumably it was if it was changed, but with a nice new DMF on ...it should be smoother.
 
Had my dmf and clutch replaced last year for £650, didnt bother with the starter motor as it was fine.

I noticed the symptoms of it failing about 9 months prior to getting it replaced, clutch finally went so I got it done.
 
Moeks said:
I find it unlikely that using a standard flywheel on an engine that is designed for a dual mass flywheel is going to lead to a smoother engine, it might seem like it if the DMF was knackered ...which presumably it was if it was changed, but with a nice new DMF on ...it should be smoother.
Click to expand...

Absolutely correct.

Despite the beliefs of the armchair experts, manufacturers do not fit dual mass flywheels for the sake of it. They are expensive items, if they felt a standard flywheel was adequate one would be fitted.
 
Skoda offer a SMF as an option if the DMF goes. I know of one car that has been through 3 DMF's in 92k (2 under warranty), the owner has had enough and has fitted a SMF this time round.
Not spoke to him since he had it swapped out, as I was interested in what he thought it drove like compared to the original DMF set-up.
 
I think I'll go for a new DMF, I hope whatever is added makes it a little better!

Now finding a decent garage that'll do it either in Crawley or round Worthing/Shoreham is my next challenge.
 
I paid £680 for a new clutch and DMF including labour.

And dont got for single mass flywheel, Ford put a dual one in for a reason!
 
DMF's are very good but they are prone to failure and should be treated as a replaceable part like other components. Mine went in the Disco and was replaced a couple of months ago. I considered a single mass unit but they make it run very lumpy at idle although are fine at speed.
I paid £700 for new clutch and DMF including labour.
 
Luke said:
DMF's are very good but they are prone to failure and should be treated as a replaceable part like other components.
Click to expand...

This is why they are a joke. A clutch replacement I can have done for around £200.

A DMF and clutch replacement - around £600?

Ill stick with my SMF thanks.
 
I have just done my audi, abit of a mission to do of axle stands, nice to have the car smooth again, use DMF myself very nearly went single mass though.
 
MatteH Oxford said:
The DMF is designed to absorb some of the rather huge amounts of torque modern diesels produce, as well as reducing noise/vibration.
If you replace it with a normal single mass flywheel then you will put the full torque load through the transmission, potentially blowing the gearbox, diff' or driveshafts to pieces.

Just something to bear in mind! :eek:
Click to expand...

So you don't understand how the Single Mass conversion kits do the same then right? It isn't the full torque load it is the variations in torque load acting like a hammer on the transmission.

They use a special clutch plate that has a shock absorber built in to achieve the same affect.

I wouldn't fit SMF's to a car under warranty as it could give a manufacturer a get out clause, if the warranty has expired it is down to cost imho
 
Paul. W said:
This is why they are a joke. A clutch replacement I can have done for around £200.

A DMF and clutch replacement - around £600?

Ill stick with my SMF thanks.
Click to expand...

Most of the cost, at least to my knowledge on TDCi mondeos, is the dropping of the sub frame to actually get to the clutch and dmf assembly. The reasoning behind changing the lot is to avoid doubling labour fees. However i believe the starter is swappable without all the polava so could be left out if garage happy to leave.

Mondeo's can be pricey to run mine has had 2 new turbos one new DMF/clutch and 4 x new injectors plust about 5 boost pipes, all between 136 and 188k miles totalling £5000 plus in 4 years. But they are lovely cars, just got myself an ST TDCi with 64k on clock, so im not put off yet!
 
Dr Who said:
So you don't understand how the Single Mass conversion kits do the same then right? It isn't the full torque load it is the variations in torque load acting like a hammer on the transmission.

They use a special clutch plate that has a shock absorber built in to achieve the same affect.
Click to expand...

The vast majority of clutch plates fitted to cars in the last 20-30 years have sprung centers, but in no way do they work as well as a DMF. They neither have the angular range, nor the mass to work against.
 
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