Whilst manouvering through the mayhem of my local multi-storey car park today, I got stuck on an incredibly steep up ramp. Then I stalled the motor. So I banged on the handbrake and did the whole 'hand-brake start on a hill' routine.

But either due to my general incompetence or for fear of rolling back into the ludicrously expensive looking Beamer behind me, I mis-judged something and we went up that steep ramp in first gear accompanied by engine noise that sounded like World War 3 in a baked bean can, after which the air was filled with an aroma I can only describe as barbecued cat crap.

So, question: Although we got home okay and the motor seemed ok, is there anything I should/can check for myself? I've got a bloody long trip to do tomorrow and I don't fancy chucking a piston on the motorway. Am I over-reacting, or is there a risk of long term damage here? The victim in question is a 2005 1.4 Fab (see sig).

Cheers gang, any advice is most appreciated.

probably lost a few thousand mile on your clutch by the sounds of it, Engine will be fine if only because it will have an electronic limiter.

Any smell of burning will probably be the clutch I'd guess. Nothing to worry about (as long as you don't do it regularly).

Edit: Beat me Pat

Ahhh! The clutch! *smacks forehead* Alas poor clutch. Righto, thanks for the info there, that's cleared things up right enough.

stinks lovely dont it :P

I once had to reverse an astra van 1/4 mile up a narrow steep dirt track (my mate who was navigating said we could drive down it no problem, until we reached a 1 foot drop!), thought it had caught fire by the time I got back to the road.