I was under the impression that DMFs were typically less durable - particularly in off road conditions.
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Not meaning to restart the 'you should or shouldn't use the clutch debate', but I was looking through the owners manual for my wife's car (Suzuki SX4) & happened to open it at the starting the engine page.
It states to start the car with the clutch depressed. So I checked the manual for my Defender, & sure enough, it says the same.
This made me feel better as I was taught this way & it is also the way we instruct in light & heavy vehicles in the NSWRFS.
I'm sure the clutch out starters will still do it their way, & I'm not saying it's wrong, but there must be a reason two manufacturers from opposite sides of the world agree on this.
Probably to solve the problem of wether it is actually in gear or not from a safety point of view.
A noise from the clutch/gearbox area with the clutch out (non depressed) is usually the clutch release bearing (a ball bearing 'race' that rattles when no compressive load is applied to the bearing face). This is harmless... not all vehicles exhibit this noise, quite random really. But it is not a problem, it will not cause any issues, other than that annoying rattle with the pedal out.
Replacing the entire unit will not necessarily solve the noise! Some peeps get lucky on this!
As long as you can select gears normally and smoothly, relax, and enjoy the view!
Cheers,
Pete :>)