Possible clutch damage after towing

[threedogs]

How many Ks have got on the clock and history of previous owner towing a van or such

[BigRAWesty]

It's quite possible that the extra heat made from the clutch has burn some residual grim oil etc built up over the years.

I guess if you still have traction on the clutch then it's still ok. Could be damaged but at least you have some time up your sleeve to get it done.

[dom14]

How many Ks have got on the clock and history of previous owner towing a van or such

330k & I have no idea about previous owners except the bloke I bought it from, and he wasn't driving for too long from what I remember.

[dom14]

How many Ks have got on the clock and history of previous owner towing a van or such

330k & I have no idea about previous owners except the bloke I bought it from, and he wasn't driving for too long from what I remember.

No idea about previous towing, but It did have some signs of off roading. There was a fair bit of a thick mud layer stuck on the chassis and under body, which could be from some serious mud trekking. Or it could be years of dust sticking to the chassis over time as well(which I don't think so, 'cos I haven't seen it in other cars that come with lot lower suspension than 4WDs.

[dom14]

It's quite possible that the extra heat made from the clutch has burn some residual grim oil etc built up over the years.

I guess if you still have traction on the clutch then it's still ok. Could be damaged but at least you have some time up your sleeve to get it done.

It still has traction.
I'm just wondering whether it's a good idea to go on a long trip with the caravan or whether I should get the clutch replaced before that.

[93patrol]

If your not sure about it I would get it replaced just to be on the safe side.

[BigRAWesty]

If your not sure about it I would get it replaced just to be on the safe side.

Yea I agree.
330k is a good haul and without knowing is history I'd be playing it safe if you can.

[dom14]

Yea I agree.
330k is a good haul and without knowing is history I'd be playing it safe if you can.

Yep, I totally agree. It's not worth the risk on long trips. I posted a bunch questions in a new thread about which way to go about replacing the clutch for the long haul.
So far, no responses. Nothing can substitute for the knowledge of the fellas who's done it already and learnt from their mistakes.
I'm still waiting for few useful replies before I go ahead and start pulling apart the clutch and buying parts.

[dom14]

Just updating.
The clutch is fine. The smell I was complaining about in this post, believe it or not, actually from the burning of the headlight plugs, 'cos they were loose. While replacing the plugs with new ones last week, I just smelled the melted and damaged plugs from loose connection heat. There you go. The smell is unmistakable. Hight revs and jerking of the vehicle during the caravan backup must have affected the headlights( I was doing it at night) and cause the plugs to cook and produce the characteristic smell.

[Nightjar]

Being a 11ft van it is probably out of the question but do you by chance have electric brakes fitted to the van?
If so did you plug/connect the breakaway?