Hello all, I have an issue with the DMF on my 07 s-max. Does anyone have an idea how long one of these beasts should last? The life of the vehicle I would have thought for such an important diesel engine component, but after 82k I've just had to change a perfectly serviceable clutch ( at least 30k the way I drive) because of damage caused to the slave/release bearing by the vibration of a failing dmf ( distortion at inner collar ( by the 6-boltholes) I've retained the replaced clutch and dmf for future inspection if required ( incidentally, does anyone have knowledge of an engineer who could can provide an unbiased report?) Loving the idea of asking Ford if they should state in the s-max that "After 80k, start thinking about knocking a Ã,£1000 hole in your savings for a clutch and dmf assy.!!!
Hi Siggy and welcome! Unfortunately DMF's are quite a common fail item on modern diesel engines (and some petrols) with 60k to 100k is the fail window :(
Ford do/did seemingly have more issues then most around your cars era which it's generally claimed (not by Ford) was down to a design 'flaw' with the DMF manufacturer. I would suggest, given your description, that the planet gears have sheared teeth resulting in bearing stress and failure. This I believe was the 'flaw' in that the planet gears were a weeker material then the larger gear they drove - you'd need to do further investigation on this though as it's not something I have personal experience with.
Question -when you start / stop the engine do you do it with the clutch depressed or not?
Mirez, thanks for the response. Re. start-up; on first start of day, any season, have only ever operated the starter after glow-plug light goes out, feet nowhere near the clutch pedal or accelerator come to that. Always starts in a couple of turns( except once, Dec 2011 got the timing wrong and flattened the battery!). To follow up on your other point, with regard to getting this dmf inspected, know anyone? I'm mighty miffed that the failure of this part has cost me a new clutch and slave. What're your thoughts re. my idea for Ford to warn mugs, er customers I mean, about the extra unexpected cost when the dmf goes up the swaneee.
Humm, I ask as there is a theory that DMF's are failing as a result of the high torque values created by modern engines during start-up and shut down. The theory comes from some engineers in Italy and carries more then a little weight so worth reading - Curiously modern VW's including my Golf require the clutch be depressed else it wont start. Is there anything in the handbook about how to start?
DMF inspection - you would need a specialist company for the results to be taken seriously. Locally to me I would suggest trying Antony Best Dynamics in Bradford On Avon, elsewhere I would suggest googling for vehicle engineering companies near you. That said I'm not sure how much weight any report would carry with Ford as they, along with other manufacturers, consider the DMF a wear and tear item. I'd probably write directly to Ford before spending and more money and explain the situation first to test the reaction.
Personally and unfortunately, I dont think you'll get very far at all trying to get them to actively warn about the DMF. It could/should last the life of the car, in the same way a diesel injector could/should but failures happen and I suspect they'll just say there is no 'guarenteed life' on DMF's :(
Mirez, Re starting, having held a license since 1966, I have to say it felt really strange looking through the handbook for how to start the thing! But I persevered and found, to my surprise, that clutch depression for starting seems to be mandatory. P'r'aps there is some substance to the eye tiddly eytie research? Also, taking on board the advice re. Ford, having a bit of a struggle finding a happy voice though. ::) [bash]
Humm interesting they specify that as well. Almost everyone I speak to starts/stops their engines without the clutch depressed so it's something I suppose that could be causing an issue. Curiously the VW DSG (auto-box) also has a DMF fitted yet you hear seldom little about them failing so it seems its much more likely to effect a manual car.
Well I wish you all the best if you choose to pursue it with them :)