Loss of power, strong smell.

[Monty11]

Hi, I have a 1988, 1.7d westy. On the way home tonight the van was running great then came to a hill, it lost pulling power. Unfortunately I was coming on to a bypass so had to limp on & struggled to a layby. When stopped there was a strong smell, hard to say what it was as I have a cold. Checked oil and water and all good. Engine didn't seem hot when leaning over it. No leaks or sign of fluid loss. Started no problems so set off and it ran great for 2 miles then did it again, this time no strong smell. Stopped and did same checks, again no visible signs, set off again and back home in 1 mile, the smell reappeared but not as strong. The engine turns over well and revs well. Not had chance to check again as got home late, any ideas gratefully received.

[Cecil]

Could it be clutch slipping ? would be accompanied by revs rising higher than usual when going uphill.

[Monty11]

My initial thoughts was clutch, but the revs didnt pick up when driving, they were constant with my speed, even going downhill was a struggle. After sleeping on it I'm beginning to think its my brakes. I also did a clutch test after I posted this, kept the handbrake full on, put it in 4th gear and tried to set off, it stalled straight away. from what I have read on other forums the clutch would have slipped when doing this.

[diabolov]

Could well be the brakes. I used to commute through South London many years ago on a bike and I wouldn't hang about so it was all go and slow, go and slow, anyway all of a sudden the bike bogged down and wouldn't pull, engine fine but rear disk was blue and smoking and locked solid...Turns out the pistons weren't returning enough so the brake was dragging slightly all the time, which eventually got the fluid hot which expanded and pushed the pistons out which rubbed even more and so the cycle spiralled until lock up.. So pistons out, cleaned the caliper, new seals and DOT 5.1 sorted that out. The brake would ease off after leaving to cool down.....so sounds like your symptoms.

Regards

Mark

[Monty11]

I had the same issues on my bike a couple of years ago too and had to do the same thing, hopefully this is similar

[RogerT]

You'll feel heat on the wheel that's affected. Had it on various cars, and I often have a feel of the wheel temp after a journey.

[Monty11]

Not had chance to check the wheels for heat since I had the problem. My first worry was the clutch had gone. Makes more sense it's a brake issue now, amazing how sleeping on the problem can help Moved the van a short distance tonight and the clutch is fine. Hoping it's just the handbrake that may have over adjusted itself, but could be the piston on any of the brakes