DMF - does the clutch need to be replaced?

[Casa1862]

I've got an Astra 1.9cdti and it looks like the DMF could be faulty. I get a rumbling noise when I press the clutch (idle only).

I've got Extended Vauxhall warranty , does the DMF count as part of the clutch ie a consumable in which case I'm likely to get charged or is it a separate item which could be replaced under warranty? The clutch has been fine, it's done 80k and a 2007 car.

The other thing I've researched is possible clutch release bearing, again is this part of the clutch or separate item which warranty would cover. The warranty was not cheap at £699 for two years and it's supposed to cover everything you get in years 2 & 3 of a new car and Vauxhall deal with it.

Thanks

[cars1993]

Casa1862 said:

I've got an Astra 1.9cdti and it looks like the DMF could be faulty. I get a rumbling noise when I press the clutch (idle only).

I've got Extended Vauxhall warranty , does the DMF count as part of the clutch ie a consumable in which case I'm likely to get charged or is it a separate item which could be replaced under warranty? The clutch has been fine, it's done 80k and a 2007 car.

The other thing I've researched is possible clutch release bearing, again is this part of the clutch or separate item which warranty would cover. The warranty was not cheap at £699 for two years and it's supposed to cover everything you get in years 2 & 3 of a new car and Vauxhall deal with it.

Thanks

Grey area that one. It should be covered in the warranty but I have seen warranty company's not pay out before for faulty DMF'S. You want to imply that it suddenly went and not gradually went. Failure not worn out is the word to use

[Beer Man]

Random suggestion, have you taken it to the Vauxhall dealer you bought it from and asked them?

[Yamahadivvyrider]

My brother had his dmf replaced on his Astra after 50k but car as only 2yrs old.worth asking vauxhall

[Casa1862]

Beer Man said:

Random suggestion, have you taken it to the Vauxhall dealer you bought it from and asked them?

No, I was trying gather info if they try and fob me off, as mentioned it could be a grey area.. you happy with that?

[Casa1862]

Yamahadivvyrider said:

My brother had his dmf replaced on his Astra after 50k but car as only 2yrs old.worth asking vauxhall

I assume under warranty?

[Beer Man]

Casa1862 said:

No, I was trying gather info if they try and fob me off, as mentioned it could be a grey area.. you happy with that?

You're missing the point.

If the warranty is as good as it implies (expense doesn't mean good) then take it to them first, you might be surprised.

If they say "No" THEN would be the time to start asking questions.

[clarkey]

I'd think it is the release bearing if the noise goes away when you depress the clutch. It's not something to worry about unless it's really, really bad if it is this.

[Casa1862]

It's getting onto 8 years old so I expect then to give me a hard time, if I've got the info to hand then I can argue the point when I'm in the dealership and make maximum noise. The cars never been out of Vauxhall warranty and fully serviced by them. Also, I only renewed yesterday so might leave it a few days.

Currently I'm not sure if both DMF and Release barring are considered consumables.

[NotNormal]

I've just changed the DMF/clutch in the girlfriends 1.9 CDTi Sporthatch at the weekend and the DMF was goosed but plenty of life left in the clutch (70k miles). Changed the clutch anyway along with the pressure release bearing as its silly not to change them all whilst its all apart.

As for warranty claims, well that's a tricky one. Personally I'd say the DMF is a separate item from the clutch in that respect but what the dealership/warranty people will say is anyone's guess!!

[clarkey]

I think a component will need to fail to be covered on the warranty - if its just wearing out, it'll be considered wear and tear. No harm in asking though.

[Casa1862]

I assume if it fails I'll know about it, will it just not go into gear, load bang etc ? At the moment just rumbling noise when clutch pressed.

[BL Fanboy]

And then it'll be the gearbox.

The gear lever will move back about 1/2" initially, working its way up to 1" in 1st gear when you take up drive, then it'll start rumbling in 5/6th gear. Then bang a while later.

Its new gearbox time if it goes bang as the housing gets ruined but they can be rescued if you act when you notice the gear lever moving. (read gear cluster moving internally due to duff bearing).

[Phateuk]

clarkey said:

I think a component will need to fail to be covered on the warranty - if its just wearing out, it'll be considered wear and tear. No harm in asking though.

This.

Read the warranty terms carefully - you'll find lots of carefully worded get out clauses.

ETA: You'd probably have been better sticking your £600 in the bank, that way it could've been used to replace wear and tear items as well as total failures covered by the warranty.

[200Plus Club]

bite the bullet if need be and pay for new clutch, release bearing and slave cylinder if need be. its a lot of work to get to them again !

[BL Fanboy]

Yeah, I don't have much luck with choosing cars with reputations for chocolate gearboxes. The PG1 gear box in my 620ti wasn't up to the job either.

Don't think its me?...

[cars1993]

BL Fanboy said:

Yeah, I don't have much luck with choosing cars with reputations for chocolate gearboxes. The PG1 gear box in my 620ti wasn't up to the job either.

Don't think its me?...

st happens mate

[Casa1862]

Cheers, I'll take it in and if they don't do under warranty (well flywheel anyway) then I can cancel the warranty (30 days) to save £699.

I assume they'll want to charge me for the investigating so kind of tied to them (£529 new clutch - flywheel + clutch £1200 plus) What a ball ache.

[BL Fanboy]

Casa1862 said:

Cheers, I'll take it in and if they don't do under warranty (well flywheel anyway) then I can cancel the warranty (30 days) to save £699.

I assume they'll want to charge me for the investigating so kind of tied to them (£529 new clutch - flywheel + clutch £1200 plus) What a ball ache.

Whoa, buddy.

Don't get your maths there - a LUK dmf is about £200 for one of these and the labour to fit a flywheel when its all off for the clutch change is minimal - lock the crank and remove the flywheel bolts, remove flywheel and replace - do up flywheel bolts.

Soo, if its £529 for a new clutch then I'd expect it to be £800 with a flywheel as well.

[BL Fanboy]

Seriously look into uprating the bearing in the gearbox if the people doing the work have the skill (forget which one exactly- think its the 5th 6th gear cluster bearing) - should be less than £50 for the part.