Is this DMF or not?

**ONEMINUTESILENCE** · 5th October 2010, 19:14

Ok here goes, I have only owned my Vectra cdti 150 for approx 4 months & it has developed two strange noises. The 1st is upon start up mainly but remains constantly, just quieter. It sounds like a whining noise from one of the belts?

The other, which I believe may be DMF is when I have the car in neutral there is a slight clunking from what seems to be underneath the car at the front. When I depress the clutch there is a slight metallic rattle. It does not do this if in gear. Also when I park up & turn off the engine in neutral there is a rattle. This does not happen if I depress the clutch though?

**lee gsi** · 5th October 2010, 19:28

Second one sounds like DMF to me

**the-wizard** · 5th October 2010, 19:34

Dont worry just yet mine rattles a bit when turned off!, its been like that for years.

**cranny 27** · 5th October 2010, 19:40

bad news it sounds like your dmf,and its not cheap. stick your head under bonnet ,and listen for the noise ,when someone works the clutch. if its on right side (n/s) of engine/gearbox its your dmf. parts alone on ebay are £464. how many miles it done ? any clutch slip ?

**toast** · 5th October 2010, 19:58

dont let them scare you with silly prices, got mine from the dealer today

retails at £451+vat paid £330 +vat clutch kit retails at £351+vat i paid £236+vat

get someone you know in the trade to hook you up or if your ever up glasgow way give me a shout

total came to £665 inc vat

**ONEMINUTESILENCE** · 5th October 2010, 23:47

Originally Posted by cranny 27

bad news it sounds like your dmf,and its not cheap. stick your head under bonnet ,and listen for the noise ,when someone works the clutch. if its on right side (n/s) of engine/gearbox its your dmf. parts alone on ebay are £464. how many miles it done ? any clutch slip ?

It has done 110k

although the clutch seems absolutely fine

**GazVXLINE170** · 5th October 2010, 23:54

The first one I would switch the Air Con off and see if it does it. Mines done it usually between 1,500rpm-3,000rpm so instictively I thought it was the turbo, but out of the blue I happened to switch the Air con off when this noise came about, and the noise disappeared. Still should get sorted though as I son't know if the alternator belt drives it or the cambelt drives it. Hope it is the alternator belt as air con shaft could be seizing and may through the belt off.

Gazza4

**john_k_sri** · 6th October 2010, 00:52

AFAIK Air Con driven by auxiliary belt , as is the alternator and power steering. Water pump driven by Cambelt.

**DaveW555** · 6th October 2010, 08:19

The rattle is deffo DMF so you're looking at DMF, clutch, slave cylinder and about 5 1/2 hours labour to sort it out. As for the whiny noise have you tried flicking the auxillary drive belt off then starting the engine. If the noise goes away its going to be one of the pulleys driven by that belt, if not could be a noisy water pump bearing in which case get it done ASAP in case it fails altogether and throws the timing belt.

**ONEMINUTESILENCE** · 6th October 2010, 12:45

Originally Posted by DaveW555

The rattle is deffo DMF so you're looking at DMF, clutch, slave cylinder and about 5 1/2 hours labour to sort it out. As for the whiny noise have you tried flicking the auxillary drive belt off then starting the engine. If the noise goes away its going to be one of the pulleys driven by that belt, if not could be a noisy water pump bearing in which case get it done ASAP in case it fails altogether and throws the timing belt.

Thanks for all the help so far guys. Just a couple more questions.

Is the auxillary belt the one to the left of the engine (if you are stood at the front of the car looking under the bonnet)? Will this belt not be tensioned & therefore hard to remove?

What would happen if I just leave the DMF as it is? I am by no means a mechanic so am not really sure what implications this could have.