A3 1.9TDi (05) Major Flywheel failure

[goldswj]

Hi Peeps,

First post, so bare with me.

I've got an A3 TDi 1.9 (05) from new. Suddenly had the Dual-mass flywheel fail on me after only 70,000 miles.

I've noticed a recall which includes my VIN number but Audi are saying that it only effected 2.0TDi models and not mine. The fault seems so similar that I'm not convinced.

Here's the recall:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=5FF5D8EF81DF884480257115004229 1D&freeText=Blank&tx=VOSA

The main dealer are looking to charge me around £1,500 for the repair, is this right?

Has anybody had the same issue with a 1.9TDI?

Cheers in advance

[andre 2000]

Hi,

sorry to hear of your problems.

The answer is basically yes, if you look up DMF or dual mass you will see a whole batch of posts, across the VAG group and both for 1.9 and 2.0 TDI units.

I've currently got an A3 2.0 TDI with 85k that has been fine but previous car was Seat Altea with the same engine as yours. DMF went at 14000 miles. Yes, 14000, and no I didn't ride the clutch, scream away from the lights, tow a caravan or slip the clutch!:confused: I spend most of the time on the motorway, not in stop/start traffic, so go figure.

Luckily mine was under warranty so didn't have to pay, but research at the time showed £1500 to be about right.
It's a lottery really. Some seem to go for many tens of thousands of miles and others fail at ridiculously low mileages. Your mileage would probably be deemed acceptable in the eyes of a dealer, although personally if the car hasn't been abused I disagree.

I also had an old Passat TDI 1.9 and that went too. I ended up getting rid of it as to replace the DMF would have cost more than the car was worth. Such a shame as the car was great otherwise.

There are two types IIRC, one manufactured by Valeo and the other Sachs. I am not sure whether one is statistically more problematic than another, but the Seat had a Sachs one fitted for what its worth.
Surely it could be argued that the fault is with the DMF itself, not the engine it is attached to - you may be able to negotiate some goodwill if you have had the car serviced by the dealer?

Otherwise I believe you can get it sorted a bit cheaper from a specialist. Check out forums for volvo, subaru, citroen, peugeot, ford, vauxhall etc and you will find exactly the same problems [and similar costs to replace]

These things seem to be an answer to a question nobody asked! People talk about DMFs reducing noise and vibration for refinement but these are the very symptoms they produce. If refinement was at the top of my list of priorities I wouldn't be driving a diesel for sure. With injectors and turbos going too it seems us dieselheads are starting to lose the debate ref better reliability and longevity at least. Factor in fuel costs and purchase price and I'm now considering going back to petrol for my next car.

Only way forward seems to be to bite the bullet and hope the replacement bears up, switch to a solid flywheel, or go for an automatic or an older car pre DMF.

The very best of luck with it, I know exactly how you feel.

[goldswj]

Thanks ,

That's great info and gives me some hope of not being broke for Christmas/wedding.

I'll go and search for more.