Dual Mass Flywheel... faulty?

[insanekiwi]

Hi guys,

I know there were many owners with lots of recent upgrades from DMF to single mass flywheel recently. My car has done 41000km. I had the car since 19000km. REVOed since I got it. 2006 Feb registered model, so I believe this was produced in end of 2005. My car had no recalls for the gearbox.

Anyway, to cut the story short, like a lot of people I am not most happy with the gearbox. It shifts well, does its job. I never had crunching issues at any revs.

However, it's not as 'quiet' or 'refined' as other cars I've driven. Even MGF VVC 97 model or Suzuki Swift had quieter gearboxes.

Now, I am thinking with the noises that I have, it maybe dual mass flywheel is causing the noise for mine.

Mine makes slightly whiney noise in 1st gear / 2nd gear revs below 2000rpm when crawling around car parks, or in traffic only when slowing down. For example decelerating when taking foot off the throttle. This whine disappears with clutch pressed in. Once accelerating again this noise diappears.

Also note similar noise at 4th gear, below 2000rpm to 1500rpm (60km-50km) with very light throttle or just rolling with no throttle input. (and faint almost dead quiet whine in 5th gear, but you are going at speeds and difficult to hear it)

I have changed gearbox oils many times at 5000km each interval from Redline MTL (as per Jmac's recommendation) / new synthetic oil from VW / etc. No change in the characteristics of noise.

The noise has been constant, and I don't think it's getting worse.

If I am accelerating or driving normally - I do not notice this. However with speed limit of 50km/h, 4th gear is often used to cruise, and the little whine can be annoying, as soon as I put the foot down this disappears, and also when I reach and past 60km/h, meaning the rpm is above 2000rpm. I tried 5th gear and it doesn't happen. I do need to use the throttle a bit more though to compensate.

This has been looked by 3 different dealers -> no codes, engine oils look very clean, it's all normal. They said it's all within tolerance.

Also, I also get some drivetrain 'slack' as dealer called it, when I am accelerating and suddenly take the foot of the accelerator, then accelerate again, then I can make little noise 'slight chunk noise'. As if the chain is getting tighten, loosened and and tightened again. I just got told not to drive like that. I rarely hear the noise anyway if I drive normally.

I am wondering whether this could be due to flywheel in not the best condition... dual mass -> could it create this sort of noise?

My clutch is still good, and I have no plan to upgrade it yet. My next upgrade is likely 20lb kit from ECS, but if I don't need it, I would rather wait till the clutch starts slipping.

Can the flywheel actually get completely damaged and cause more damage?

My car for power wise has: down pipe 3", deleted resonator, REVO 7,6,6 setting (22 peak PSI), Forge 007p, Seat intake, regularly replaced factory air filter . Made 127kw at wheels without forge / down pipe in summer. I am hoping it's around 140kw at wheels now. I've had 2 track days in the car. Enthusiastic enough to get the car in tripod position in tight corners many times.

I am now out of warranty, and getting paranoid... I think I like the car too much! (I've been known to swap cars very often... but I love this car)

Any opinions as to if my flywheel is at fault? thanks in advance.

I hope jmac also can answer this too.

[Tim]

uprated engine mounts can sometimes enhance the gearbox "whine". Especially at carpark speeds

[insanekiwi]

Thanks. I didn't noticed too much difference after getting the APR mount put in... always had this since I picked up the car. Didn't realise this as I was driving around normally. Only noticed the noise after owning for 2 weeks, as I was more stuck in traffic then!!
I drove a brand new model a year ago, and it had similar whine at 4th gear, but was more faint than mine.

[bfeboi]

i got that "whine" too

my fix was the little dial on the left hand side of the radio. turn it clockwise and TADA! noise is gone

[Blitzen]

Yeah Man, I have the whine too. I think nothing more of it. It hasn't changed since I have had the car, but I will be getting the gearbox oil done at the 45,000km service.

[Jmac]

Yeah quick one before we go too far into it, have you done Redline yet????? I noticed a huge difference on the few ive done, i know all about the whine you talk about and it certainly dampens that noise
(how was timor Blitz????)
Dual masses can cause a clacking noise when faulty.
Cheers
Jmac

[insanekiwi]

Jmac, Redline MTL didn't make any difference to the noise. I had it, felt the shifting was good. Went back to VW synthetics for now. No change in the noise.

I am going to try MTL again next service. I liked the shifting quality of it. To be honest VW oil is not that bad... (in terms of shift quality)

I used MTL for 7000km then changed.

[Jmac]

Jmac, Redline MTL didn't make any difference to the noise. I had it, felt the shifting was good. Went back to VW synthetics for now. No change in the noise.

I am going to try MTL again next service. I liked the shifting quality of it. To be honest VW oil is not that bad... (in terms of shift quality)

I used MTL for 7000km then changed.

Try Mt 90 for yours next change matem it a bit thicker and still has great friction for good shifting
Cheers
Jmac

[insanekiwi]

Jmac, thank you. Will it be still within the specification from VW? I am now on my own without any warranty, just bit scared that I will get it worse! MTL or 90? I will get 3 bottles next time, make sure it's at perfect level...

[Jmac]

Jmac, thank you. Will it be still within the specification from VW? I am now on my own without any warranty, just bit scared that I will get it worse! MTL or 90? I will get 3 bottles next time, make sure it's at perfect level...

For yours go the Mt 90 mate., meets and exceeds VW spec
You mention Dual mass noise , which i made comment on ( clacking noise) now when you go single mass you may get some clutch and gear noise at idle which is to be expected, just a heads up, ive done a couple of 14ib kits from ECS factory feel and is a good conversion.
Cheers
Jmac