Advice please

[Martin_5128108]

I have a T reg (1999) Ford Galaxy 2.3 VTECH and a Abbey Enterprise (924) 17' the dealer advised that there would be no problem with towing any van including the 23'ers he had in at the time.

Now the car had NO technical problems towing before we bought the van, and since then when towing its fryed two clutch plates, I think it will be the breaks have ceased on the van. Now I have never seen anything like this and don't know what to do has anyone any advice please?

 

[Tony A.]

martin,

If the van brakes have seized and are on all the time, you wont be able to push it by hand, not without a lot of effort, the van should roll along when pushed on the flat.

Surely you would have noticed the car struggling to tow it, are you sure you don`t ride the clutch, IE have your foot resting on the clutch peddal whilst driving, this will burn out clutches very quickly, or it could be that when reversing the brakes are coming on partially, making hard work for the car.

I`m probably not much help but it gets your question back to the top of the heap.

good luck Tony A.

 

[Icemaker]

unfortunately the 2.3 petrol engine is probably the worst galaxy you could have for towing as the engine is known to be underpowered and very very thirsty. I have read in the past that due to the engines caracteristics you do have to slip the clutch quite a bit when starting off and this could be what your problem is, otherwise look at warped clutch plates or flywheels. cant see the caravans brakes being to blame as you would definately feel it and the caravans bearings would burn out before the cars clutch. We had a galaxy 1.9 tdi which covered 80.000 miles on the same clutch towing extensively and now have a seat alhambra (same car)1.9 tdi chipped to 172 bhp, this car tows our 27 foot twin axle with ease and has now covered 11.000 trouble free miles. never once does the clutch give any concerns.

 

[Martin_5128108]

martin,

If the van brakes have seized and are on all the time, you wont be able to push it by hand, not without a lot of effort, the van should roll along when pushed on the flat.

Surely you would have noticed the car struggling to tow it, are you sure you don`t ride the clutch, IE have your foot resting on the clutch peddal whilst driving, this will burn out clutches very quickly, or it could be that when reversing the brakes are coming on partially, making hard work for the car.

I`m probably not much help but it gets your question back to the top of the heap.

good luck Tony A.

I am sure its not me at fault with the clutch, I drive with the left foot off the clutch unless changing gear still burning out a clutch in 200 miles is a bit excessive :S

When the clutch went the 2nd time it gave no warning, just died after having the plate and clutch replaced

 

[Martin_5128108]

unfortunately the 2.3 petrol engine is probably the worst galaxy you could have for towing as the engine is known to be underpowered and very very thirsty. I have read in the past that due to the engines caracteristics you do have to slip the clutch quite a bit when starting off and this could be what your problem is, otherwise look at warped clutch plates or flywheels. cant see the caravans brakes being to blame as you would definately feel it and the caravans bearings would burn out before the cars clutch. We had a galaxy 1.9 tdi which covered 80.000 miles on the same clutch towing extensively and now have a seat alhambra (same car)1.9 tdi chipped to 172 bhp, this car tows our 27 foot twin axle with ease and has now covered 11.000 trouble free miles. never once does the clutch give any concerns.

the Clutch plate on my motor is a 2.8l and the galaxy is an ex-police car. Get up and go, as far as power has to be concerned has never been a problem, So I can only think that this isn't the issue, and I am now completely at a loss as to why this is happening, but