S60 D5 clutch/DMF issues?

[benson]

Hi,

I bought an 02 plate S60 D5 with 150000 miles on the clock a couple of months ago. So far so good apart from one problem that has recently appeared...

In 3rd, 4th and 5th gear I have an intermittent problem with what feels exactly like the clutch slipping at peak torque i.e. just above 2000rpm. It'll rev freely (i.e. as in neutral) for 300 to 400 rpm and then catch again. This problem seems to come and go with no particular pattern to it and only happens when I fully give it some beans. Normal everyday driving I dont really notice it.

I dont have any rattling or clunking on startup. When I accelerate its all smooth with no vibrations. The only very very slight vibration I can detect is revving in neutral at around 1500 rpm but I think this is just the natural vibration from the engine??

From the many searches I've done on here the issue has been attributed to DMF failure, although there doesnt seem to be anything conclusive to say that it's definitely this. Most posts about DMF failure seem to be about clunking on startup. Can anyone assist with any advice on what it might be? Other than the above the clutch seems fine..

Cheers
Simon

[Dynosaur]

Originally Posted by benson

Hi,

I bought an 02 plate S60 D5 with 150000 miles on the clock a couple of months ago. So far so good apart from one problem that has recently appeared...

In 3rd, 4th and 5th gear I have an intermittent problem with what feels exactly like the clutch slipping at peak torque i.e. just above 2000rpm. It'll rev freely (i.e. as in neutral) for 300 to 400 rpm and then catch again. This problem seems to come and go with no particular pattern to it and only happens when I fully give it some beans. Normal everyday driving I dont really notice it.

I dont have any rattling or clunking on startup. When I accelerate its all smooth with no vibrations. The only very very slight vibration I can detect is revving in neutral at around 1500 rpm but I think this is just the natural vibration from the engine??

From the many searches I've done on here the issue has been attributed to DMF failure, although there doesnt seem to be anything conclusive to say that it's definitely this. Most posts about DMF failure seem to be about clunking on startup. Can anyone assist with any advice on what it might be? Other than the above the clutch seems fine..

Cheers
Simon

Check your slave's not leaking. Look at the join between bellhousing and engine.
You may have a degree of contamination.
It could just be a DMF early warning - but in all honesty, they can go on for hundreds of thousands before giving up.
They'll let you know by rattling at idle in due course.

[PopeSpiro]

I had exactly the same thing a couple of weeks after I bought the car last December. The problem persisted on and off for a week or so, then stopped and everything's been fine since (about 5k miles). I reckon it was probably a bit of contamination, possibly from the slave, but level looks ok, so I'm not too worried about it...

[benson]

okay thanks for the replies. Sorry for stupid question but what is the bellhousing?

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by benson

okay thanks for the replies. Sorry for stupid question but what is the bellhousing?

It is the large casting that houses the flywheel, slave cylinder, and clutch assembly.


Darryl

[outnumbered]

Originally Posted by benson

okay thanks for the replies. Sorry for stupid question but what is the bellhousing?

top of the church??

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by outnumbered

top of the church??

You need URGENT help!

[benson]

Thanks, I'll have a check tomorrow. I ran the problem past my local volvo specialist and they said clutch, but could well be DMF as well. They quoted £840 just for clutch and slave cylinder! Is it just me or is this massively expensive??

I really dont want to go down the route of Mr Clutch but 840 quid seems ridiculous. This was 6-7 hrs for labour which was 350 quid. The problem is it sounds like I need a volvo specialist to properly diagnose what the exact problem is.

[Ross 63]

Originally Posted by benson

Thanks, I'll have a check tomorrow. I ran the problem past my local volvo specialist and they said clutch, but could well be DMF as well. They quoted £840 just for clutch and slave cylinder! Is it just me or is this massively expensive??

I really dont want to go down the route of Mr Clutch but 840 quid seems ridiculous. This was 6-7 hrs for labour which was 350 quid. The problem is it sounds like I need a volvo specialist to properly diagnose what the exact problem is.

Other cars have clutches and flywheels too you know and they generally all work exactly the same way. Just take the car to a local (and trusted) back street garage. Mine charges £30 per hour +VAT for labour and is absolutely excellent.

You won't know 100% if the flywheel has gone until you split the bellhousing and get the clutch out. For what its worth, it sounds like just the clutch from where I'm standing, either worn out or contaminated by brake/clutch fluid. Have you checked the level in the brake fluid reservoir? If its very low, I think you've found your problem.

Whatever the case, get the flywheel done at the same time. Its going to go south eventually and there's no point in paying 2 lots of labour when you only need to pay one.

[benson]

Originally Posted by Ross 63

Other cars have clutches and flywheels too you know and they generally all work exactly the same way. Just take the car to a local (and trusted) back street garage. Mine charges £30 per hour +VAT for labour and is absolutely excellent.

You won't know 100% if the flywheel has gone until you split the bellhousing and get the clutch out. For what its worth, it sounds like just the clutch from where I'm standing, either worn out or contaminated by brake/clutch fluid. Have you checked the level in the brake fluid reservoir? If its very low, I think you've found your problem.

Whatever the case, get the flywheel done at the same time. Its going to go south eventually and there's no point in paying 2 lots of labour when you only need to pay one.

Sounds like very sensible advice, I have a really good local mechanic; I'm not sure why but I always drive miles to take it to a specialist instead and have done with most of my cars. I'm checking the levels and seeing if there's any leaks tomorrow. Thanks for your help.