Diagnosing a Fiesta problem over the phone

[Hatter The Mad]

MK6.

Going up a hill, car started to struggle. Dropped it down to second, it was still struggling and juddering as if it were about to stall. Dropped it to 1st, the same thing. Apparently it is jerky and 'revvy', and flooring it doesn't shift the car anywhere.

A burning smell whenever it is driven now (not 'electrical smelling', I am assured, but a bit 'rubbery').

No more juddering when driving on a flat, but haven't tested it on a hill yet.

Car is an 08 plate, done < 2k miles.

Any ideas what this could be? Could it be a faulty clutch?

 

[Hatter The Mad]

My money would be on the clutch. Is the owner of this car a crap driver and/or previously owned an automatic?

Recently passed their test (few months ago) - I wouldn't say a bad driver. The car is an 08 plate, has done < 2k miles.

 

[Hatter The Mad]

No fuel?

Immediately thought clutch - but 2k miles?!

That's what I am wondering too.

This learner driver. Does she ride the clutch at all? Like keep it in gear at biting point at traffic lights and stuff? A lot of women do that! It's no good asking her as she will prob deny it. You need to go out for a ride with her and see for yourself if she does it or not. Did she buy the car brand new?

She doesn't ride the clutch a lot - even if she did, 2k miles of clutch holding wouldn't turn the clutch into a sponge I guess. It is at the dealers - I'm sure whatever is up with it will be covered by warranty.

 

[Hatter The Mad]

Ok, dealers say there isn't anything wrong with the car... except a split coolant hose.

All I can think of is that that the car was overheating when under load (going up a hill) and doing its labouring and chugging.