engine rattle

[jtd.75]

Can anyone help!! my son rang me today saying that he has a intermitten rattle coming from the engine when he starts the car. He took it to a garage thinking that it was the starter motor not dis-engageing, but they said that it was the fly wheel that was the culprit and that the engine would have to come out. The car is a Ford Focus Diesel Estate (6 years old). How serious is this as the price they quoted is nearly £1000 and he only earns £12,000 a year and needs the car to get to work (80 miles round trip). He asked me what would happen if he does not get it seen to, can anyone advise.

[polo2k]

sounds like dual mass flywheel failure,
if it is this tell him to go out, get it into a high gear and boot it from low revs. as it comes on to power (or boost depending on spec) the whole car will vibrate and shudder.
if you dont sort it it can cause all sorts of engine and box wear!

[jtd.75]

thanks for that info, I went onto the FF forum and it seems that this is a common fault with his type of car and that the price for the F/W is £600 plus vat & labour, and that the general and advice was to have a cheaper F/W fitted, and why does it need a dual mass F/W anyway.