C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Is Driving with a "Knocking Flywheel" OK?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-10-2011, 10:51 AM
  #1  
calvinlc
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
calvinlc's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2011
Location: Littleton CO
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 13 Posts

Default Is Driving with a "Knocking Flywheel" OK?

I believe I have a knocking flywheel and I was wondering if there is any harm that is going to come to anything, other than the annoying noise at idle by doing this? Is the flywheel in danger of totally coming apart, or is it just some slopiness on the internals of the flywheel? Thanks!
Old 07-10-2011, 11:03 AM
  #2  
yedister
Pro
 
yedister's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2000
Location: Perth Amboy New Jersey
Posts: 658
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by calvinlc
I believe I have a knocking flywheel and I was wondering if there is any harm that is going to come to anything, other than the annoying noise at idle by doing this? Is the flywheel in danger of totally coming apart, or is it just some slopiness on the internals of the flywheel? Thanks!
A knocking sound means something is not right. It will be cheaper to get it inspected / fixed now, if you wait, you could be sorry, very sorry.
Old 07-10-2011, 02:12 PM
  #3  
cadmaniac
Burning Brakes
 
cadmaniac's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2008
Location: Alva Florida
Posts: 804
Received 55 Likes on 47 Posts

Default

The dual mass flywheel gets too much play in it. That is what is causing the noise..... Don't know if would come apart, but i certainly wouldn't drive it knowing there is a part spinning thousands of rpms right under my legs with a bunch of teeth on it...would you????
Old 07-10-2011, 02:14 PM
  #4  
Churchkey
Melting Slicks
 
Churchkey's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2008
Location: Cherokee National Forest TN
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 0
Received 102 Likes on 92 Posts

Default

A half hearted or full miss fire @ idle will cause the flywheel to rattle. Check compression, insure the tune is good & test the injectors. A fresh set of Bosch 3's from Jon @ FIC eliminated the flywheel rattle @ idle on my 90.
Old 07-10-2011, 02:27 PM
  #5  
calvinlc
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
calvinlc's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2011
Location: Littleton CO
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 13 Posts

Default

Hmmm...funny that you mention injectors. I just replaced my TPI with a Miniram and just used the SVO parts (24 lb/hr) that were on there. Maybe I should swap back to my "known good" injectors, although it does make the "death rattle" sound when the engine shuts off.
Old 07-10-2011, 02:33 PM
  #6  
GREGGPENN
Race Director
 
GREGGPENN's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2003
Location: Overland Park Kansas
Posts: 12,017
Received 396 Likes on 325 Posts
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019

Default

You didn't mention and/or confirm if you're running a DMF. If so, rattling is not a death sentence (like some here would lead you to believe). If it rattles the most on shut-down, that's not an issue. If it rattles while at a stop light, you either have a miss or someone converted to a SMF.

The only thing that will cause DMF failure is a compromised seal -- according to the expert, Bill Boudreau. It does not hurt the motor to continue running a DMF with weak springs.

If other things contribute to rattle (like the need for a tune-up, bad injectors, etc..., consider repairing that to minimize annoyance and rattle).

If you have an automatic or non-ZF transmission, ignore this post. You're car is about to EXPLODE!

Old 07-10-2011, 02:41 PM
  #7  
Deepa
Burning Brakes
 
Deepa's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2010
Location: Providence RI
Posts: 1,094
Received 67 Likes on 60 Posts

Default

As long as you were sure that the knocking problem is indeed the DMF, I do not think it is going to separate and grenade...
Old 07-10-2011, 04:23 PM
  #8  
calvinlc
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
calvinlc's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2011
Location: Littleton CO
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 13 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
You didn't mention and/or confirm if you're running a DMF. If so, rattling is not a death sentence (like some here would lead you to believe). If it rattles the most on shut-down, that's not an issue. If it rattles while at a stop light, you either have a miss or someone converted to a SMF.

The only thing that will cause DMF failure is a compromised seal -- according to the expert, Bill Boudreau. It does not hurt the motor to continue running a DMF with weak springs.

If other things contribute to rattle (like the need for a tune-up, bad injectors, etc..., consider repairing that to minimize annoyance and rattle).

If you have an automatic or non-ZF transmission, ignore this post. You're car is about to EXPLODE!

It is a DMF with a ZF, so no explosion here The fact that I just put the miniram on without changing the tune on the computer might be a contributor.

The rattle totally goes away at anything above 1100 rpm.

--Calvin
Old 07-10-2011, 10:43 PM
  #9  
TheCorvetteKid
Drifting
 
TheCorvetteKid's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2002
Location: The Motor City
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

I drove my '89 around for almost a year with the "knocking flywheel" while I tried to decide whether to go back to DM or go SM. No issues at all, other than the annoying 'clunking' sound whenever I would shut the car off. But there's an easy solution to that: shut the car down with the clutch depressed. No noise.
Old 07-21-2011, 08:52 AM
  #10  
Psychored
Intermediate
 
Psychored's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2011
Location: Bowling Green Kentucky
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

My flywheel was making the same annoying noise at idle. I decided to change to a SM from SPEC with a stage 1 clutch. My car definitely has a miss, as I need to change injectors (which is next on my list). In any event, is there a market for a used DM flywheel and clutch with only 40K on the car?

Get notified of new replies

To Is Driving with a "Knocking Flywheel" OK?




Quick Reply: Is Driving with a "Knocking Flywheel" OK?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:46 PM.