What are the symptoms of a damaged flywheel?
2 Answers
Symptoms of a damaged flywheel in a car are as follows: 1. The flywheel and pressure plate have dynamic balance requirements. Imbalance caused by installation configuration or component quality issues can lead to crankshaft fatigue and longitudinal cracks in the flywheel housing. 2. The flywheel is a disc-shaped component with significant rotational inertia, functioning like an energy storage device. For a four-stroke engine, power is generated only once every four piston strokes (the power stroke), while the exhaust, intake, and compression strokes consume energy. As a result, the torque output from the crankshaft varies cyclically, and the crankshaft speed may not remain stable. To mitigate this, a flywheel is installed at the rear end of the crankshaft. 3. Located at the power output end of the crankshaft (connected to the transmission and power equipment), the flywheel's primary role is to store energy and inertia outside the engine's power stroke. In a four-stroke engine, the energy for intake, compression, and exhaust strokes comes from the energy stored in the flywheel. Note: Engine balance primarily relies on the counterweights on the crankshaft, and single-cylinder engines often have a dedicated balance shaft. 4. The flywheel has substantial rotational inertia. Since the power strokes of the engine cylinders are not continuous, the engine speed fluctuates. When the engine speed increases, the flywheel's kinetic energy rises, storing energy. When the engine speed decreases, the flywheel's kinetic energy drops, releasing energy. The flywheel helps reduce speed fluctuations during engine operation. Mounted at the rear of the crankshaft, it stores engine energy to overcome resistance from other components, ensuring smooth crankshaft rotation. The clutch, attached to the flywheel, connects the engine to the vehicle's transmission. It also engages with the starter to facilitate engine ignition.
I've been driving manual transmission cars for decades, and there are quite a few common symptoms of flywheel damage. When starting the car, you'll hear a grinding noise, like metal rubbing, and the engine is particularly hard to start. During acceleration, the car shakes violently, especially after shifting gears when the RPM is high, and you feel the power coming and going. When idling, it keeps making clicking noises, and the transmission might be affected. The vibrations can also travel into the cabin, making it very uncomfortable. The clutch might also slip, making the car feel sluggish and struggle on inclines. If these issues aren't fixed promptly, the transmission can easily get damaged too, leading to a sharp increase in repair costs. It's recommended to have a professional diagnose any unusual noises as soon as they're noticed.
