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Topic: uprated clutch

redphil55

25/9/2015 at 10:11pm
Location: LANCASHIRE
Outfit: ABI BRIGHTSTAR 2 BERTH

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On a recent trip to cornwall when we were coming home we were stuck in a traffic jam on the incline of a hill approx 1 mile long my clutch started to smell of burning i stopped for 30 minutes to let it cool down it never slipped and we got home ok the car has been fine since.
The car is a ford focus 1.8 tdci and the van is an abi brightstar which weighs 1300 kgs loaded.
My question is should i swap it for a bigger car or can i have a better clutch fitted.

Grampian91

25/9/2015 at 10:45pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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That seems a lot of weight for a Focus. Is 1300kg the max tow weight on that?

In that situation I just trickle along in 1st gear to reduce the number of stop/starts. Instead of moving 1 car length at a time let a small gap build before you start moving.

If it starts to build speed keep a good lookout to see if its stopping a short space ahead, if it is then again slow down instead of getting there too soon and having to stop.

Unless you have a very cheap clutch plate fitted then it wont have made any difference on what plate you had.

tango55

25/9/2015 at 11:06pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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I wouldn't say that it seems a lot of weight for a Ford Focus as many underestimate the vehicles capabilities regarding towing actually. I know the towing specs for the 1.6 & 2.0 tdi. Focus but not the 1.8 although I do know that the BHP is 123 BHP. The spec for the 1.6 diesel has two versions, a 98 BHP engine and a 110 BHP version which the former can tow a maximum of 1200 kgs. and the latter 1300 kgs. and the 2.0 tdi. has 136 BHP with a towing capabability of 1500 kgs. so I would imagine that the 1.8 tdi. would be either the same or slightly more than 1300 kgs. with reference to the 1.6 tdi.
However, regarding the clutch they all operate on the same principal so it would make very little difference what clutch was fitted as it is the constant friction that causes the burning smell. I have a Volvo V50 that is based on a Focus chassis but has the D5 Volvo engine with 180 BHP which is basically a work horse but even when reversing the caravan slightly uphill onto a pitch I can can get that burning smell merely because of the clutch and friction plates grabbing and releasing over a short period of time.
If you like the vehicle you already have then consider the 2.0 Focus tdi. as it has more pulling power with a 6 speed gearbox whereas the 1.6 and 1.8 tdi. both have 5 speed gearboxes.

Baileyjake

25/9/2015 at 11:31pm
Location: West Midlands
Outfit: Coachman Amara 570 6 + Shogun SG4

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If it makes you feel better I think even my 2.3L outlander would have started to smell of burning clutch in those circumstances and my caravan is just under 1300kg MPLM. Modern asbestos free clutches and brake linings do smell. I literally smoked the clutch of my previous jeep trying to reverse my caravan up on to a pitch. The clutch was fine after this if not a little smelly for a while.

GCMS2012

26/9/2015 at 7:28am
Location: Northumberland
Outfit: Knaus Sudwind 550 TK

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All you're doing I think is, just 'losing' a few hundred / thousand miles of clutch operation. But if you keep doing it, you will need another new clutch - but in the case of many cars these days, you may need the flywheel too (Dual mass flywheel etc), as when the clutch 'goes' - it takes the flywheel with it.

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BiIIy

26/9/2015 at 7:54am
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Nothing wrong with the clutch, just your driving technique. If you are towing & you are uphill in slow moving traffic you need to stop, engage handbrake & allow a good gap, several car lengths, to open up before moving off while clearing clutch asap. Proceed like that rather than try to trickle along with the traffic & you will be ok.

Whatever circumstances while towing you need to avoid slipping clutch as much as poss. & clear clutch asap at all times.

alpiner

26/9/2015 at 7:59am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

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I do the same as Grampian91, i wait for a space to build up then just catch up slowly in first gear.
This limits the amount of stop starts and is far better for the clutch.
and for those behind me that dont like it, you wont get ther any quicker no matter how large the space i leave

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alpiner

Andy Higham

26/9/2015 at 5:32pm
Location: Bolton Lancs
Outfit: Bailey Orion 430-4 & Mitsubishi PHEV

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So much easier with an auto

GCMS2012

27/9/2015 at 6:31pm
Location: Northumberland
Outfit: Knaus Sudwind 550 TK

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Quote: Originally posted by Andy Higham on 26/9/2015
So much easier with an auto

Oh, and this..... ^^^^^

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Damned if I do...

Damned if I don't!!!!

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