Jeff T.

And yes I am capable. A little background.

Bought my 02 last spring with 1900 miles. Drove it home and promptly changed all the fluids.

I do have a Kwik-Lift and the first couple times up it, I know the clutch wasn't my friend so I know the smell.

The car now has 3800 miles and lately, just driving casually around town I can smell the clutch.

Any thoughts?(And please no buy an automatic)

Thanks.

skydiven4fun

I can't imagine that your riding the clutch after having been driving as much as you have, and that's not enough miles that I would suspect any issues, maybe some else has had this issue and will pop in and can help, even with me running my car hard I have never smelled anything that would make me think the clutch is slipping. It could be possible that maybe the clutch plates could glaze over, kinda like brake pads will do, but that's just a guess.

TraceZ

Could it be a hanging brake caliper?

After all the years and so little exercise maybe one is getting sticky?

It would make the same smell.


Get one of those infrared temperature guns at harbor freight and check your brake temperatures next time you notice the smell.

Jeff T.

Good idea. Already have an infrared, I'll give it a try. Thanks!

bj1k

It could be a defective brake hose . I've seen a couple times brake hoses delaminate inside causing a flap of rubber inside the hose act like a one way valve causing the caliper to lock up or drag. We had one car that kept going through right front calipers until we realized that it was the hose. The outside of the hose looked brand new. Raise the car and spin all four wheels to see if any are hanging up. This would make the same smell. It's not likely your clutch with that mileage.

Camjamsdad

Chances are you have a stock clutch. My guess is you'll next experience the clutch pedal sticking to the floor after a hard burst of acceleration. This is a common condition of the stock clutch.

If it's a brake caliper you'd feel the pull to one side or the other.

If I'm correct, start saving some money cause a new clutch is in your future.

This comes from my personal experience and reading this board for years.

bj1k

If it's the rear caliper you won't feel it pulling.

Camjamsdad

Why wouldn't I? That's how I figure out I left the emergency brake on when I'm not driving an e150 ford van.

TraceZ

Emergency brake is both rears at the same time. More likely to feel that.

Just one rear dragging would not really be noticeable. Especially on a car that the owner is not used to driving.