Vauxhall Corsa C (2000 - 2006) - 04 1.3cdti is it a burnt clutch? or burning rubber

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Wed 30 Apr 2008 00:54
04 1.3cdti is it a burnt clutch? or burning rubber - sammy999
So i was driving along a rain in quite wet conditions, at about 50mph, appraoching a junction and i began to brake and then realised maybe i had left it a bit too late to stop in time, so i braked quite heavily. The car skidded for about 10 metres but then the ABS kicked in and it came to a halt alright. I drove another few miles and got to my destination. I got out and could smell a burning smell. I thought it might be rubber because of the braking; but the next day when i drove it for about 10miles, i got out and could smell the same again but not such a strong smell this time.

Id never smelt this before, and my first thought was maybe a burnt clutch, and that maybe the timing with the braking was a coincidence. (I don't know how long a clutch lasts but its only done 35,000 miles)
I dont know what a burning clutch smells like, but the clutch still feels fine.
Is this a burnt clutch or anyone got any other ideas??
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Apr 2008 01:02
04 1.3cdti is it a burnt clutch? or burning rubber - Screwloose

Maybe the brake calipers are partially seized and the extra pressure moved them and is now causing slight brake drag.

Are any of the wheels hotter than than others after a longish drive?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Apr 2008 01:11
04 1.3cdti is it a burnt clutch? or burning rubber - sammy999
it only happened 2 days ago and i havent been for a long drive yet.

i forgot to put before that i saw a very small amount of smoke coming from the front right hand side from under the wheel arch, when i got to my destination
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Apr 2008 01:38
04 1.3cdti is it a burnt clutch? or burning rubber - Dynamic Dave
Have you had the recall work done for the ABS system?

tinyurl.com/68uzvj

tinyurl.com/5jchha

Just wondering if the burning smell is the connector mentioned in the above links?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Apr 2008 08:50
04 1.3cdti is it a burnt clutch? or burning rubber - topbloke
would tie in with the wet (abs recall), check to make sure that there is not a plastic bag caught on the exhaust some where !
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Apr 2008 09:54
04 1.3cdti is it a burnt clutch? or burning rubber - hrvoje dagelic
You should touch the wheels (metal parts) after a longer drive to see if they are overheating. If they are - you must not drive until it's fixed not to blow a tire; then it could be the brakes or a handbrake.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Apr 2008 10:17
04 1.3cdti is it a burnt clutch? or burning rubber - jc2
From the fact that the car skidded before the ABS cut in and then smoked afterwards would indicate that all is not right with that caliper.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Apr 2008 11:07
04 1.3cdti is it a burnt clutch? or burning rubber - Hamsafar
I agree jc2, sounds like the brakes on one wheel stuck on and have been dragging ever since.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Apr 2008 19:48
04 1.3cdti is it a burnt clutch? or burning rubber - sammy999
i have had the appropriate ABS recalls done, about a month ago
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 30 Apr 2008 13:18
04 1.3cdti is it a burnt clutch? or burning rubber - Cicero
I had similar symptoms on my Corsa 03 1.2 with a burning rubber smell, followed by smoke from front wheel arch. Luckily I slowed right down because then the front tyre blew out. The problem was due to a broken coil spring acting like cutting tool which sliced neatly through the tyre sidewall.

Worth checking out.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link