Ford C-Max 2L TDCi Clutch Problems

[michael_5111967]

Hi

I have read the article about LMH having a clutch burning smell problem with their Mondeo 130 bhp TDCi and would like to find out if anyone has had the same problem with the above model C-Max. I have a 55 plate and tow a Bailey Pageant Mosselle 2004 with a Max Weight of 1285kg the max tow limit on the C-Max is 1500kg so its well within limit and pulls the van a dream but when reversing I get the same horrible burning smell of clutch which is unavoidable when getting the van back in my driveway as its slightly uphill,In fact the first time I reversed with the van the car almost dissapeared in a cloud of smoke, I Know that i am not working the clutch that hard! I'm a LGV vehicle driver so I know all the problems with the riding of clutches.

I just worry that a perfectly capable towcar is being let down by a weak clucth or incorrect gearing perhaps a price we have to pay for having six speed boxes. So many manufactures models on the market claim to be capable towcars but are let down with what I feel are weak clutches.

Any feedback regarding the above would be mutch appreciated.

 

[Paul_5110677]

Hi Michael

I wrote a message about the problems with my Mondeo TDCi clutch- it seems like this is a widespread problem. My car is booked in to have the clutch looked at following my problems this weekend so i'll see what happens. Perhaps someone should investigate this? Practical Caravan- do you fancy this?

 

[Viking1]

Michael

I had this trouble with owners I found that the car can push the caravan back slow when you just use the clutch.

The thing is that I found is that as soon as your foot go's to the expert your over foot push the clutch down so then you start to ride the clutch but like you I thick the clutch is a bit weak.

I have not reversed much with the caravan on the back of owner C-max because we got a caravan mover fitted.

Mark

 

[joeby]

This is an extract from a mag called Caravan these are not my words , only whats in printed in the mag,

The VW Passat was the first car to show this problem basically ,EU regulations now ban adding asbestos to the friction material used in clutches and brake pads . the modern materials are more inclined to slip smell & smoke but this isnt the real cause of your problems, because turbo Diesels produce little power until the turbocharger is producing boost you will be slipping the clutch more than with non-turbo engine when reversing,so smoke & smell are more likely,

at the moment i havent got any evidence that this reduces clutch life , and since clutch life is very much influenced by driving habits and regular traffic conditions ,i doubt if we could ever prove that these modern materials are inferior,

what does annoy me is that there are ceramic materials on the way which would be much better for clutches , i doubt, however, if we will ever see them used in mass production cars ,manufacturers will probably decide to stick to the tried and trusted and cheaper stuff they use now

 

[philip_5109302]

Hi, we've got an 05 Mondeo estate 130 bhp tdci and have identical problems when reversing. new clutch fitted at 30,000miles. The car is fine in forward gears and we tow a pageant burgundy 1400kgs all up with no problems however, reversing up a slope is always problematic with a smelling and overheating clutch. in my opinion, the six speed box is part of the problem and the poor quality of the clutch plate material is the other. I'm waiting for my new clutch to burn out as I'm sure it's only a matter of when, not if. The answer is a 4x4 with a decent size clutch plate that will take the strain when reversing, sorry to sound negative, but I can't see the EU changing it's mind on Asbestos inclusion so until then we'll be stuck with inferior plates. Good luck! The only other thing to do is to ask a warden to reverse your van for you with their Kubota tractor and let that take the strain.

 

[Bay343]

It would appear that this problem is not just on the newer tdci Mondeo's, but has been present for a while. I tow approx 1300kg with my 1999 2.0 petrol which performs fine going forward but after a recent reverse uphill the clutch smell was terrible.