Am I On Borrowed Time?

[Andydote]

Morning all.

I'm afraid to admit that I have replaced my ZT with a Mondeo Estate. I need something big for the family and I'm fed up of being so careful with the ZT when loading buggys, babies etc etc! So my old for sale thread will pop up again soon.

Anyway, my new (2003) Mondeo TDCI has 89,000 miles and when I went to view the car it drove well but the DMF rattles when ticking over in neutral. I'm aware of how common DMF failure is on these but for the price of the car I was happy to go ahead.

So my question is, how long do I have? I've done 70 miles so far and it goes in to gear fine, drives fine, doesn't slip. The pedal only came up half way on one occasion last night while driving home from work but the clutch WAS engaged and a quick nudge made it pop up, so I'm hoping the pedal just needs some lube....

But how long before the DMF gives up? Once I've sold the ZT I'll have the funds to change it (which should only be a couple of weeks).

PS - I registered on talkford and asked some questions but have had no responses I think I'm so used to you lot on here being so helpful.

Andy.

[mh007]

A tricky one this...............a bit like saying "how long is a piece of string ?"

The truth is, no one can tell.

I've known rattling DMF's go on for many thousands of miles but then had others fail within a very short time.

I would say just nurse it along gently (don't let your foot of the clutch too quickly) & keep your fingers crossed until funds allow a repair.

Good luck & I hope it goes on for a while yet.

[COLVERT]

The DMF has nothing to do with wear on the clutch. Or the movement of the clutch pedal.

What you are hearing, if your diagnosis is correct, the wear Within the DMF nothing more.

As others have said, let the clutch in gently and it will probably last for thousands of miles.
The DMF is there to take away the shock of engine-gearbox engagement.

You can do that with your left foot.-



Colvert.--

[brgcdti]

To understand its function :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfNjARZc5Wo

[DMGRS]

You'll probably have a while yet - they make a very alarming noise when they get bad. A 'rattle' is probably quite mild in comparison.

[lionatus]

Originally Posted by DMGRS

You'll probably have a while yet - they make a very alarming noise when they get bad. A 'rattle' is probably quite mild in comparison.

I agree. Wifes best mate had one she was warned was failing for over a year. It really didnt go until she had 2 months of starting problems, obviously shavings of metal or somesuch were being thrown allover the place. Looked like a metalworkers workshop floor when opened. She ragged her car and is an aggresive driver. Be nice to your car and it should last a bit yet. The problem with the Mondeos is theres about 5 different clutches/gearboxes/DMFs for the same model of car and we didnt know which she needed until it was stripped.