Hello, I have just discovered this site/forum following a friend's tip and I think its great that advice and assistance is given to 'members' who are experiencing problems with their cars from people that they have never met or, are ever likely to meet. The people who give their advice freely appear very genuine and willing to help fellow members, so I have joined the club and posted my problem in the hope that there is someone who can help me with mine.

I have a Mark 3 Mondeo Hatchback TDCi 130 with an 2004 plate which was bought in 2007 along with a separate insurance warranty. It is a fabulous car, tows my caravan with ease and has had with only minor problems until recently. It would not start ie starter motor would not turn but a replacement starter motor cured it. The garage said that the original starter motor was 'clogged' along with burnt out and this clogging was an indication that the dual mass flywheel was 'breaking up'. The clutch had also started to make a 'whiney' or grabbing sound when changing down in the gears, although it does not slip at all even when under load. The second starter motor has now started to act up insofar as it does not engage first time, sometimes it needs 3 attempts then turns the engine as normal. The sound it makes is a 'zzzzzz' not a screech. A friend who is an avid DIYer especially with cars, says this is because the teeth on the DMF are worn and the starter moter is spinning it in order to find teeth to engage with!! Further he says it will cost approx £800 to £1,000 to fix. I do have an insurance warranty bought in 2007 that still has 6 months cover on it but again he says that they will simply say its fair wear and tear and that it is not covered by the insurance as a breakdown of a part. If he is correct of course they will not cover the repair although the car has satisfied their criteria for regular servicing.
Would appreciate views on what to do for the best outcome. Is the diagnosis correct? Do I approach the warranty people first? If it means a huge bill do I cut my losses before it? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Jennysdad

i would approach the warrenty company first you have nothing to loose, the garage is correct with that the dmf is on its way out, you should get the job done for less than £800 at a good independant garage, euro car parts are doing the DMF for around £300 and i would put a clutch in it at the same time so you do not have to strip down again at a later date. i would get on the phone ring all the local garages and find the best price you can, just make sure they get the right DMF to fit as there are two and if they fit the wrong one the sensor will not pick up the signal from the teeth and the car will not start.

[quote name='mintalkin' timestamp='1299168923' post='116752']
i would approach the warrenty company first you have nothing to loose, the garage is correct with that the dmf is on its way out, you should get the job done for less than £800 at a good independant garage, euro car parts are doing the DMF for around £300 and i would put a clutch in it at the same time so you do not have to strip down again at a later date. i would get on the phone ring all the local garages and find the best price you can, just make sure they get the right DMF to fit as there are two and if they fit the wrong one the sensor will not pick up the signal from the teeth and the car will not start.
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Thanks for your prompt reply and advice. I must confess that I have mixed feelings though in that it will probably cost less than I thought but it looks as though it is the DMF. (I was hoping for something simple). However I will start with the the warranty company first as you suggest but not to be defeatist at the outset I do feel that companies such as these will use any trick in the book to avoid paying or even meeting part cost. I will let you know how I get on. Thanks again