Sharan 1.9 TDi 130 - Is a Solid Flywheel a Good Idea?

[namastebuzz]

I've been offered a 2003 Sharan 1.9TDi with 120k on the clock in exchange+cash for my Saab 9-3 TiD Wagon which is great as I need a 7 seater and need to get rid of the Saab (DPF, EGR, Swirl Flaps anyone?)

The bloke has spent a lot on it but it recently had a new clutch/single mass flywheel fitted. My own mechanic advised against it as he reckons it can cause gearbox damage.

I've read around the subject but, as ever, you get "Don't do it, you'll end up changing back to a DMF." versus "I fitted one and it ran like a dream for hundreds of thousands of miles."

Any thoughts?

Sure, it's a 14yr old £1000 car and it's not a big deal but I'm strapped for cash and a swap would be handy.

[Drive Blind]

have you seen / heard it running?

I saw a 'tube video once of a solid flywheel Fabia vRS and it made a hell of a racket compared to the standard DMF set up.

I'm guessing the current owner made the change just to save a few quid when the DMF needed replaced?

[Condi]

I wouldnt worry about, cars had single mass flywheels for decades before someone tried to be clever. The DMF is as much about comfort as for protection of the gearbox. If you bang it around then a SMF will transmit more of that force through the engine/gearbox, but driven normally it shouldnt make any difference.

[namastebuzz]

Thanks guys.

Yes, it seems to run/drive OK. Perhaps a little more vibration at idle than you'd expect but not in the bag of spanners category.

The bloke selling had burnt out the clutch trying to reverse his caravan up a hill (bit of red mist by his own admission). He got a new one but discovered the flywheel was knackered too so then put in the solid flywheel plus another different clutch as the other one wasn't compatible (or returnable).

[namastebuzz]

Condi said:

but driven normally it shouldnt make any difference.

Oh dear! That's me ruled out then!

[SuperchargedVR6]

Condi said:

I wouldnt worry about, cars had single mass flywheels for decades before someone tried to be clever. The DMF is as much about comfort as for protection of the gearbox. If you bang it around then a SMF will transmit more of that force through the engine/gearbox, but driven normally it shouldnt make any difference.

They were the decades before high compression, high torque engines. If the excessive gearbox input shaft lash noise on every piston stroke doesn't bother you, then knock yourself out. For a daily car sat in traffic, it sucks big time. Why not swap the harmonic dampener crank pulley for a solid lightened one whilst you're at it. That does nothing either, right?