Towing ( sorry to slow the traffic down a bit)

[tbs]

Any other caravan towers who can help...I need advice on 2 things:

My avante is 1.9tdi 130bhp SE and not lowered in any way. I think it would benefit from firmer dampers at the back and maybe all round. But which ones would marry up well to current springs. Secondly... reversing the caravan really heats the clutch fast ( it stinks) so if a replacement becomes necessary becuase of accelerated wear could I fit an uprated DM clutch without costing a fortune. How much should I pay to have standard clutch fitted all in and is it a dealer job or can any garage do it? What are the pitfalls?

 

[adamss24]

Try and stop riding the clutch on reverse and you should not have any problems ! You can get the clutch and flywheel fitted for about 600 all in at a specialist- that's what i charge !

 

[stu_m]

The clutch is burning because of the brake on the caravan is there not anyway you can lock it for reversing?

 

[stu_m]

done a bit of research for you

apparently after around the 70's caravan brakes only work on the over run when going forwards if the brakes are coming on when reversing there is something wrong

 

[tbs]

The caravan brakes are definitely not on. Its hard on the Audi with its reverse gearing to go to a slow enough crawl speed fully engaged Ill try to avoid slip but I think its easier said than done. £600 for a clutch gets close to the price of caravan moving device which I guess takes some of the wear away. My drive has a mild ramp to start with and i have to reverse and turn and I'm pushing about 1200kg plus gravity and thats when it overheats. Would uprated clutches still wear as fast with my tendency to slip it.

 

[Ste_Nova]

don't give it any gas at all, use the power at idle to move it, the anti stall will add more power as needed*

*up to a limit, you may have to add power as a last resort

 

[tbs]

i've changed my Audi parts temp sensor and still without towing my temp is 70 degrees. When towing and under load it rises to 90 degrees and will cool down again if i cruise down hill. Now if i change the thermostat will I see temperatures of 110 under load or will a new thermostat reduce the higher limits. I suspect it wont and is it ok to have higher temperatures when towing.

 

[deano1978]

The thermo should put the engine in a stable condition,once warmed up (15mins of driving) the temp will be comfy 90 and stay there. Under most driving conditions.

 

[tbs]

Id like to change the thermostat myself but I cant see how...I cant see it or get my hands to it and it looks a right pain (assuming its at the end of the lower hose behind the alternator buried deep) is that where it is on the 1.9tdi? Ive read one thread about it but that doesn't really reassure me. Any body else got some practical help i can use.

 

[Audi Doodah]

A 10mm socket and and extension bar is all that's needed! And a 50/50 mix of G12 anti-freeze (pink) and de-ionised water to top up your coolant. Simples!