Clutch going or lack of power?

BlazingSaddler

Hi all. Please excuse my ignorance on this one! I have a 2011 Grand CMax owned from new. It has always made a bit of a groaning noise when driving up even the smallest of inclines (such as my driveway) but I guess I just got used to it. I did mention it at one of the services but nothing was found. Over the last 6 months it's getting worse, not the groaning as such but it seems to struggle going up inclines. We went to France last summer with Stena line and driving up the ramp to the car deck I thought it wasn't going to make it, now I had the wife and 3 kids in the car plus luggage and 2 bikes on the back (and a roof box). The smell coming from the engine was horrendous, the sort of smell that gets in your nostrils and you can't get rid of. The smell also lingered in the car for weeks after.
I have noticed no real change in driving performance since other than a couple of days ago driving up the ramps in Stephens green car park the smell was back and it seemed to struggle even up these ramps. Again all 5 in the car but no luggage etc.
It's a 1.6 Diesel. Is it a problem with the clutch?, should it really struggle like this? Or is it purely underpowered for the size of car? Thanks!

mickdw

mattb74 wrote: »

Hi all. Please excuse my ignorance on this one! I have a 2011 Grand CMax owned from new. It has always made a bit of a groaning noise when driving up even the smallest of inclines (such as my driveway) but I guess I just got used to it. I did mention it at one of the services but nothing was found. Over the last 6 months it's getting worse, not the groaning as such but it seems to struggle going up inclines. We went to France last summer with Stena line and driving up the ramp to the car deck I thought it wasn't going to make it, now I had the wife and 3 kids in the car plus luggage and 2 bikes on the back (and a roof box). The smell coming from the engine was horrendous, the sort of smell that gets in your nostrils and you can't get rid of. The smell also lingered in the car for weeks after.
I have noticed no real change in driving performance since other than a couple of days ago driving up the ramps in Stephens green car park the smell was back and it seemed to struggle even up these ramps. Again all 5 in the car but no luggage etc.
It's a 1.6 Diesel. Is it a problem with the clutch?, should it really struggle like this? Or is it purely underpowered for the size of car? Thanks!

Sounds like the clutch to me. The smell you describe can only be burning clutch.
I'd say you will be looking at getting a new clutch fitted in the coming weeks.

savagethegoat

i'll ask the obvious.... you do have your foot completely off the clutch pedal? (it's a manual right?)

BlazingSaddler

savagethegoat wrote: »

i'll ask the obvious.... you do have your foot completely off the clutch pedal? (it's a manual right?)

Yes it's a manual. Fairly sure I have my foot completely off the pedal. It reminds me of when my Dad used to give me lessons and tell me not to ride the clutch! so it's fairly ingrained in me! I've been driving for almost 25 years and never before had a clutch issue.

kirving

I would say that burning clutch smells like cabbage, would that sound about right? Seems like clutch too, especially as it's when the car is under load.

Does the car still rev, and you just go nowhere?

Probably not riding the clutch, but sometimes people's natural reaction is to dip the clutch when they feel the engine under load.

duffman3833

happened my golf few years ago, started making a grinding noise in first when taking off but was driving fine once moving, then the next day i got that smell, like rotten eggs or something, hard to describe. Brought to mechanic, needed new clutch in the end. Id bring it to mechanic and get it checked, ask him to test drive it and take off on a hill or something and see will he get that smell

Jesus.

mattb74 wrote: »

Or is it purely underpowered for the size of car? Thanks!

Definitely clutch. That diesel would have no problem with inclines like that

MAVERICK2012

Sounds like clutch you would have had a smell someyhing similar to burnt rubber going up ferry ramp if it was slipping

pajero12

As said, More than likely it's the clutch. Is it slipping? Put it in first gear, Hold the brake and let up the clutch, If the clutch is good the engine will stall, If the clutch is worn, it will just slip.