[Corsa B 1993-2000] Loss of drive

[Alfaholic]

Hi, my wife was driving my 07 Combo 1700 CDTI 1.3 when she smelt burning then a total loss of drive. I towed the van home, the clutch pedal feels fine, just like it always has and the gears are going going in fine, just like they always did. It's a bit puzzling cos if it was either the clutch or gearbox there would be a noticeable change in their feel, any ideas

[Taurus]

If the clutch plate has gone then you won't necessarily feel any change in the pedal. There are various causes why drive can be lost, eg if the driveshaft pops out - but that wouldn't cause the burning smell. When you couple a burning smell with loss of drive then it's usually clutch plate issues. The gears will engage because if the plate has worn out then there's no drive being transmitted to the transmission.

[Alfaholic]

If the clutch plate has gone then you won't necessarily feel any change in the pedal. There are various causes why drive can be lost, eg if the driveshaft pops out - but that wouldn't cause the burning smell. When you couple a burning smell with loss of drive then it's usually clutch plate issues. The gears will engage because if the plate has worn out then there's no drive being transmitted to the transmission.

[Alfaholic]

Hi Taurus, thanks for the reply, I thought maybe there was some common fault with an easy fix, I had a Vivaro CDTI and the gearbox didn't last long, the moral of the story, 'Avoid Vauxhall commercials'

[Taurus]

Let me guess - it was the 6 speed box? Weak to begin with and they won't take the torque of the turbo-diesel unit. Bearing failure is rampant in them. VW are even worse.

[Aaron]

If you change the box a gearbox specialist can usually uprate bearings so they are more suitable. Common issue with m32s been put in small diesels that ideally should have an f40 but isnt the space (allegedly)