Hi
I have used my 97 2.0el petrol as a towcar for the past two years annual holiday.Had a clutch fitted just over two years ago before buying the caravan (76000 miles). Now on 102000 and clutch has started slipping. Does anyone else have any experience of towing?The gearing seems a bit weird in the sense that reversing onto a pitch with the slightest gradient or angle seems a great effort with lots of burning smells and only just seems to do it.Is this gear unaturally low?
When reversing onto my drive which is guite a slope I often get whiffs of overheated cluch lining..does any one else have this?
Towing on the motorways is acceptable but there is quite a sense of nothing in reserve for the hills.Would the later 16 v engines show a big difference?
The van is only a two berth about 1000kilos all up.

Happy new year to you all.............
Thanks Andy

Dont know if it is due to towing alone as I had my clutch replaced on my P plate Ulysse with 69000 miles on the clock with no towing done (NO TOWBAR!) have since fitted towbar myself but not towed anything large or for long distances..
I always reverse uphill at the Mother-in-laws and never noticed any burning smells.

And a happy new year to you too

Hi
I have done 122K and I am on my third clutch! I have had a similar experiance only this week with reversing up my drive, it's not steep but there was blue smoke and that stink of burning clutch. I suspect we may not be the only ones with this problem! Could it be that when reversing somehow the engine tilts under load and causes the clutch to release slightly thus allowing it to slip? I have not investigated it any further but I will now certainly have another look.
I would love to here from more Ulysse owners.

Mine is a 2.0, 8 valve.

Gordon

Hi
Nice to know its not just me..This engine is I believe a peugeot 2 ltr which is I believe a tried and tested unit.Perhaps its the gearing being a van derivitive?It would be nice to know if pug and citroen versions had the same problem.Incidentally my clutch was £215 + £70 odd for the clutch cable which can stick I was told by Mr Clutch and cause premature clutch wear.
What did other people pay and is there such a thing as a heavy duty unit available?Would a van one be better??

Thanks:

I think you can get a performance clutch for this engine which is a bit harder, but you would have to check with the manufacturer to see if it is suitable for a MPV.

I have the new 16V 2.0 engine, which is again a Peugeot unit and together with the auto box seems to have quite good performance. If your towing though, you can't be the torque of a diesel at low rev's.

talking of fiats and clutches i dont know what make is fitted as standard the word rubbish comes to mind i have had 3 tempras over the years all needed a clutch one at 26000 miles and no its not my driving .having said that our ulysse has done 90000 but i dont know if its had a clutch but having driven vans for a few years clutches seam to last longer than in their cars

oh ment to add the tempra had a borg and bek clutch fitted by me and was sold with over 90000 and is still running with the same clutch.a cheep clutch is just that cheep