Engine Flywheel Cleaning and Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Vibe. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Clean the flywheel in solvent.
CAUTION: Refer to SAFETY GLASSES CAUTION .
Dry the flywheel with compressed air.
Inspect the manual transmission flywheel for the following:
- Damaged ring gear teeth
- Loose or improperly positioned ring gear
  The ring gear has an interference fit onto the flywheel and should be positioned completely against the flange of the flywheel.
- A scored, grooved or damaged friction surface
  
  Fig 1: Inspecting Manual Transmission Flywheel
  Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Inspect the automatic transmission flywheel for the following:
- Damaged ring gear teeth
- Stress cracks around the flywheel-to-crankshaft bolt hole locations
Important: Do not attempt to repair the welded areas that retain the ring gear to the flywheel plate. Install a new flywheel.
- Welded areas that retain the ring gear onto the flywheel for cracking
  
  Fig 2: Inspecting Automatic Transmission Flywheel
  Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.