Noise when coasting in gear at low speed

[Lyn Rees]

Hi, I have an interesting one.

I have an 09 Galaxy, 2.0TDCi, 80K miles. Had no.3 injector done recently.

The car has a vibration when idling and makes a slight knocking sound when the clutch is down. Knocking goes away when clutch is up and there's some drag from the gearbox. Clutch pedal feels normal, no vibration or pulsing. My guess based on that was DMF.

Lift the revs a little and the vibration goes away. Car goes fine, sounds fine at speed (40mph+). However, pootling about at 20-30mph, at low revs, things don't quite sound 100%, and if I lift and coast there's a rubbing/grinding noise which seems to come from the front near-side (gearbox end), which goes away if I push the clutch in or if I re-apply the throttle.

I think it makes the same noise just as I apply the throttle also (at low speeds), but goes quickly.

Any ideas' what might be going on?

[insanitybeard]

Greetings!

Have you actually had the clutch/ slave cylinder & flywheel replaced as yet? And was the problem present before the injector was replaced (why did it require replacement?) ?

[Lyn Rees]

Thanks for the reply Paul.

We bought the car just over three years ago, when it have around 40k miles on the clock. Since then it's had nothing but tyres and servicing. So, to my knowledge, it's not had a DMF, clutch etc. replaced.

It was serviced at the local garage quite recently. Not very long after that it developed a fuel leak, which was written up by the garage as a rail leak ââ,¬â€œ I haven't spoken to them about that actually (the wife did) but they fixed the leak and replaced some washers it seems.

Again, not very long after that it started having starting difficulties, not firing properly. Diagnostics said no. three injector, which was replaced and the starting fault has gone. The engine suffered some nasty jerking when starting at that time, which may have strained an ageing DMF I guess.

Neither my wife (she drives it more than me) or myself noticed any knocking or rubbing/grinding noises before that time.

Cheers.

[Lyn Rees]

Noticeable clonking when coming off the throttle when revving out of gear and when switching the engine off now, clutch disengaged.

Also wondering if the noise at low coasting speed is chatter.

[insanitybeard]

Your symptoms do sound like DMF on the way out to be honest, it seems to be a fairly common thing for diesels with DMF's fitted to require replacement at around 100k or less if you're unlucky. As you say if the engine has been running badly previously the uneven/ jerky power pulses from the crank could well have accelerated any wear or damage to the flywheel.

[SiC]

I'd say DMF.

Not saying this applies to you but a lot of people dont engage the clutch when starting/stopping the engine which can cause the DMF to wear quicker.

I bought an 08 1.8tdci with 56k and FSH. DMF/clutch needed replacing at 60k.

Best to take it to a specialist and get them to check it, if the DMF fails it can do serious damage that can cost thousands to fix.

Cost me around Ã,£750 all in for labour and parts at a clutch/gearbox specialist.