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A properly functioning flywheel is essential in a manual transmission, as a faulty flywheel will make it difficult to change gears and run the car as smoothly as it should.
Understanding the purpose of a flywheel and the symptoms of a bad flywheel is crucial, as a flywheel failure can cause unexpected or severe damage to the engine. Continue reading the article to learn more about it.
Short on Time – Here’s a Quick Summary
A flywheel is a simple yet effective device that is an essential part of the drivetrain, responsible for enabling power delivery from the engine to the vehicle. Also, it balances the engine and connects it with the transmission through a clutch, enabling power transfer to the wheels.
What is a Flywheel?
A flywheel is a large, heavy disc designed in the shape of a coin having gear teeth around its circumference. It is placed between the transmission and the engine, installed with mounting bolts at the crankshaft’s back.
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Usually, cars with manual transmissions have flywheels, while cars with automatic transmission use flexplates.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
A flywheel is the part of the engine often least talked about. However, it serves a critical purpose, ensuring continuous power delivery to the drivetrain.
How does it work?
The working principle of a flywheel is purely related to physics (consider skipping this part if you hate physics, chuckles).
The physics behind its functioning is that it requires a large amount of torque to get it rotating. But, simultaneously, ample torque is needed to slow it down, effectively conserving angular momentum. This energy conservation makes the flywheel a storage device, and when applied at the crankshaft’s tail end, the conserved energy is used to smooth the delivery of power from the engine.
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The flywheel uses its high rotational inertia (resistance to rotational speed changes) to balance the torque delivery for a smooth and constant rotation of the crankshaft.
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What does it Do?
One of the primary functions of a flywheel is to smoothen the fluctuating forces during the combustion process. It starts its operation once the engine is started. Let’s explore the functions of a flywheel.
- Balancing Engine: As the piston is offset from the crankshaft vibration and wobble’s center, the flywheel suppresses the side-by-side motion. This is done due to the flywheel’s heavy weight. This is how it reduces the engine’s vibration, stabilizing and balancing the engine.
- Drivetrain Stress Reduction: This function of the flywheel is achieved by stabilizing the movement of the engine. It helps smooth the engine’s speed and minimizes wear on the drivetrain components. Also, the flywheel reduces wear between the driveshaft and the transmission shaft.
- Engine Starting: Another function of a flywheel is when the engine starts. A starter motor is attached to the gear teeth on the starter motor. The car key controls the starter motor. When the car starts, the flywheel is turned by the starter motor. This is how the flywheel facilitates overcoming the short time workload and enables smooth starting of the engine from rest.
- Weight Manipulation: The flywheel’s weight determines the engine’s performance. Heavier flywheels are well suited for big trucks or trailers, while sports cars or commercial cars may require lighter flywheels.
The table below provides information about the different functions of flywheels, their types, and how to determine a damaged flywheel.
Symptoms of a Bad Flywheel
Understanding the symptoms of a bad flywheel is critical to ensure its performance and proper functioning. So let’s explore the symptoms of a bad flywheel.
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A faulty flywheel can cause damage to your engine and inconsistent engine starting and vibrating clutch pedal.
- Burning Odor: Being an essential component of the car’s engine, a bad flywheel can cause the engine to overheat and create a burning smell. This may be caused due to worn-out flywheel rubbing against the brake pad, which creates heat and friction, leading to a burning odor in your car.
- Slipping Gears: While there are several reasons for slipper gears, one of the most common is a faulty flywheel. A bad flywheel can’t generate enough torque necessary to keep the gears slipping. Wear and tear, damage, or defect in the flywheel can cause slipping gears.
- Difficulty Shifting Gears: A faulty or damaged flywheel can also cause difficulty while shifting gears. Improper flywheel working causes the fears to shift erratically. One reason is that the flywheel cannot provide sufficient resistance against the gears. Moreover, excessive play in the flywheel can also cause difficulty while shifting gears. Finally, a misaligned flywheel can also make it difficult to change gears.
- Inconsistent Engine Starting: Damaged flywheel teeth can make it difficult for the flywheel to engage with the starter motor, making it difficult to start the engine. If you’re having issues while starting your vehicle, get your flywheel, as well as the starter motor, checked.
- Vibrating Clutch Pedal: A vibrating clutch pedal is also a symptom of a problem in the flywheel. A worn flywheel may put too much stress on the clutch and cause it to vibrate. Also, a damaged flywheel may cause the engine to shake, making the clutch vibrate.
In my personal experience, I started feeling a burning smell while driving in my Nissan Versa. Fortunately, I was aware of these symptoms and immediately got my flywheel checked and replaced.
Conclusion
A flywheel is a vital component of the engine and connects the engine with the transmission through the clutch, which helps transfer power to the wheels. Now you know why the flywheel is essential and how it functions in a manual transmission. Proper maintenance of the flywheel is as necessary as any other component of the engine.
Next time you find out your flywheel is getting worn or any symptoms mentioned above, get it checked by a mechanic. Else you may find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere.
FAQs
In automobile engines, a flywheel serves an essential purpose. It helps smooth out the pulses of energy from combustion in cylinders. Also, it provides energy for the compression stroke of the pistons. This is how it balances engine performance and works with the clutch system.
Depending on your car, replacing a flywheel may cost you something between $500 to $1000. Sometimes the labor cost is added to this amount, while some mechanics may charge additional labor costs for replacing the flywheel.
There can be several reasons for a flywheel to get damaged. Some of the reasons for flywheel damage include worn starter drive components, flywheel cracks, and poor maintenance. Moreover, riding the clutch while driving, engaging/disengaging the clutch while having your foot on the gas pedal, or drag racing can become reasons for a worn-out flywheel.
Sometimes, you may get away while driving with a faulty flywheel. However, it depends on how badly the flywheel is damaged. In most severe cases, if you continue to drive with a damaged flywheel, the clutch and the other powertrain components may be damaged.
If a flywheel is damaged, worn out, or has broken teeth, it won’t easily engage the starter motor when you’re starting the vehicle’s engine. Since both components are related and work together, a defect can cause the car not to start.
As the flywheel transmits power from the engine to your transmission, sudden failure or breakage may cause unexpected or severe damage. Moreover, a failed flywheel may also cause engine vibrations, rattling noise, etc. Finally, in the worst scenario, it may cause your engine to underperform and lose power and torque, leaving you stranded.
