MG ZT 190 engine shakes when releasing first gear ONLY WHEN ITS COLD

Pompmachine · 29th June 2024, 09:40

Hello,

I have a MG ZT 190, my car engine shakes when im releasing the clutch in first gear. It only does this when its cold. When its warm it drives perfect.
Ive replaced the engine and transmission oil, replaced the spark plugs and cleaned the fuel injectors.
Can anybody please help me what the problem might be?

TBennet · 29th June 2024, 18:15

Sounds like what I would call "clutch judder" and it means you need a new dual mass flywheel.

Mine ZT does it a bit sometimes as well.

It's very common on lots of modern-ish manual cars because everything has a DMF these days and they wear out. Manual BMWs of a certain era were pretty notorious for it.

Rogue · 29th June 2024, 20:33

I would consider checking the lower engine mount before that level of expense. I don't think it is common for the V6's to have their DMF fail.

TBennet · 29th June 2024, 21:54

It would be great for the OP if that turns out to be the case, but I have a new-ish polyurethane lower engine mount and the problem was the same both before and after fitting.

I'm pretty familiar with the issue described - judder in first gear when pulling away, but only when cold.

I had a very bad case of it on a BMW Z4 which was fixed (for a time) with a replacement DMF. I believe the reason for it happening only when cold is due to condensation on the plates which evaporates once you've pulled away a few times. It's this, in combination with the worn DMF that causes the judder. In my case, I was only getting the issue in winter.

I'm not claiming to be an expert on DMFs, but I asked around a lot about this with the Z4 and this is what I learned. My ZT has started doing it too, and it's become gradually worse in recent years.

Pompmachine · 30th June 2024, 08:19

Thanks guys, I’ll replace the lower engine mount first. I’ll let you guys updated.

29th June 2024, 09:40	#1
Pompmachine Newbie MG ZT 190 Join Date: Feb 2024 Location: / Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	MG ZT 190 engine shakes when releasing clutch first gear ONLY WHEN ITS COLD Hello, I have a MG ZT 190, my car engine shakes when im releasing the clutch in first gear. It only does this when its cold. When its warm it drives perfect. Ive replaced the engine and transmission oil, replaced the spark plugs and cleaned the fuel injectors. Can anybody please help me what the problem might be? Last edited by Pompmachine; 29th June 2024 at 09:57..

29th June 2024, 18:15	#2
TBennet Regular poster MG ZT-T 190 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Manchester Posts: 71 Thanks: 3 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	Sounds like what I would call "clutch judder" and it means you need a new dual mass flywheel. Mine ZT does it a bit sometimes as well. It's very common on lots of modern-ish manual cars because everything has a DMF these days and they wear out. Manual BMWs of a certain era were pretty notorious for it. Last edited by TBennet; 29th June 2024 at 18:17..

29th June 2024, 20:33	#3
Rogue I really should get out more....... 75 CDT SE 160 Saloon Join Date: May 2017 Location: Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich Posts: 2,741 Thanks: 1,386 Thanked 1,096 Times in 774 Posts	I would consider checking the lower engine mount before that level of expense. I don't think it is common for the V6's to have their DMF fail. __________________ Glutton for punishment --- Previously ... 2.6 SD1 x 2, 3.5 SD1, 820S, 820Si x2, 216 Gsi, 220T saloon, 414, 45 1.4 x2 and now a Cowley 75 CDT

29th June 2024, 21:54	#4
TBennet Regular poster MG ZT-T 190 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Manchester Posts: 71 Thanks: 3 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	It would be great for the OP if that turns out to be the case, but I have a new-ish polyurethane lower engine mount and the problem was the same both before and after fitting. I'm pretty familiar with the issue described - judder in first gear when pulling away, but only when cold. I had a very bad case of it on a BMW Z4 which was fixed (for a time) with a replacement DMF. I believe the reason for it happening only when cold is due to condensation on the plates which evaporates once you've pulled away a few times. It's this, in combination with the worn DMF that causes the judder. In my case, I was only getting the issue in winter. I'm not claiming to be an expert on DMFs, but I asked around a lot about this with the Z4 and this is what I learned. My ZT has started doing it too, and it's become gradually worse in recent years.

30th June 2024, 08:19	#5
Pompmachine Newbie MG ZT 190 Join Date: Feb 2024 Location: / Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks guys, I’ll replace the lower engine mount first. I’ll let you guys updated.