Clutch fumes/Asbestos fears

sdanseo

Hi folks, I did have a thread on my clutch but this is a differnt issue so pls excuse the repost.

This may be a little long winded but would appreciate any input. I preface this with the fact which will become obvious, I'm a bit of a worrier!

Basically clutch started clipping on my Opel Vec 2004 (1.6 petrol) about 6 weeks ago. Didn't really do anything about it as I had no idea what was wrong, was losing power more progressively and revving high, then it started to smell. About a week or two after the really bad smell started, it finally gave up, AA diagnosed the clutch and it was replaced. Problem solved.

Not.

A week since the clutch change, there's still a manky smell comign from the car. Dunno if it's residual smell from the old clutch, the new clutch, or the brakes. Generally gets worse the longer the car is running.

The smell of the old clutch had been coming into the car through the windscreen blowers and heater for about 2 weeks before, and now again for the last week. It's annoying, toxic, and I'm starting to get seriously concerned that I'm breathing in copious amounts of asbestos. My mechanic (indy, says he's doing it 30 years which I can well believe, sound fella) says he's happy enough with the car, but insists the pads and clutch are asbestos but isn't 100% sure.

Is anyone sure for absolutely certain whether asbestos was used in a 2004 car? It's an Opel so I presume assembled in Germany but I really don't know.

If the smell that's ongoing is asbestos, will breathing that in through the car ventilation system be toxic, will there be remenant dust still there or in the filter, does it pose a hazard? Nearly afraid to drive the thing at the stage but with all this snow I'm in it 4 hours every day with the blowers on full blast...bad smell all the way at times Obviously its a very small space and theoretically toxic dust is being blow into my face (worst fear).

Apols for the long post guys, but once again any input much appreciated as to best course of action.

acier

Asbestos hasn't been used in brake of clutch or brake linings since the 80's. I wouldn't worry about it at all.
edit: It was banned by the EU in 1991 apparently

mickdw

Yep not an issue now. Then stopped using it when they realised that it was dangerous which was long before 2004.
The smell now would be from the bedding in of the new clutch Id say.

The only real danger now re asbestos clutches/brakes is if dealing with old tractors/machinery. You never quite know what they have in there.

sdanseo

Cheers guys. I was kinda worried about dodgy replacements (as I said on the other thread, have only had the car 3 months) but if it's been banned since 91 i think im safe

Strange that my indy would be so sure its asbestos, dunno!

dr.fuzzenstein

sdonn wrote: »

My mechanic (indy, says he's doing it 30 years which I can well believe, sound fella) says he's happy enough with the car, but insists the pads and clutch are asbestos but isn't 100% sure.

I think that mechanic hasn't had a refresher course since 1979. I wouldn't let him near any post 1980 car.
He might try to crack open the battery to replace the lead and open the ignition pack to give the points a bit of an aul' clean.
He might even open the injection pump to see if the needle and float need replacing.:D