Clutch smell
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Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 58
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From: Zebulon
Clutch smell
Good morning forum,
I am looking for mechanical advice. I was pulling out of an event one day and my clutch pedal stuck. I immediately smelt clutch burning smell. I immediately engaged the clutch and was able to go about my way and have been able to drive the car on a few trips since. I often will get a clutch smell and I'm not even driving the car hard and or riding the clutch. I have good pull and engagement when using the clutch pedal and such. I am wondering if this might be the beginning of needing something replaced like the slave cylinder and or whatever else is in the components of the clutch and trans. I don't run the car hard and if I do it's usually short and sweet. Third to fourth gear. I need the car to last and I am one who tries to head things off and take care of my vehicles. Any advice or mechanical know is appreciated.
Thanks
Chris
I am looking for mechanical advice. I was pulling out of an event one day and my clutch pedal stuck. I immediately smelt clutch burning smell. I immediately engaged the clutch and was able to go about my way and have been able to drive the car on a few trips since. I often will get a clutch smell and I'm not even driving the car hard and or riding the clutch. I have good pull and engagement when using the clutch pedal and such. I am wondering if this might be the beginning of needing something replaced like the slave cylinder and or whatever else is in the components of the clutch and trans. I don't run the car hard and if I do it's usually short and sweet. Third to fourth gear. I need the car to last and I am one who tries to head things off and take care of my vehicles. Any advice or mechanical know is appreciated.
Thanks
Chris
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
Hey Chris, how many miles on your current clutch? What does the clutch fluid look like in the reservoir? Is it clear or cloudy and when was the last time it was flushed and fluid replaced?
Sometimes you get lucky and replacing the fluid is all it needs or it will buy you some time. And sometimes the clutch or components are too far gone and fluid change won't matter. You'll need a new one.
Sometimes you get lucky and replacing the fluid is all it needs or it will buy you some time. And sometimes the clutch or components are too far gone and fluid change won't matter. You'll need a new one.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 58
Likes: 1
From: Zebulon
Hey Chris, how many miles on your current clutch? What does the clutch fluid look like in the reservoir? Is it clear or cloudy and when was the last time it was flushed and fluid replaced?
Sometimes you get lucky and replacing the fluid is all it needs or it will buy you some time. And sometimes the clutch or components are too far gone and fluid change won't matter. You'll need a new one.
Sometimes you get lucky and replacing the fluid is all it needs or it will buy you some time. And sometimes the clutch or components are too far gone and fluid change won't matter. You'll need a new one.
I have just basically turned 49k, so I imagine the clutch has that many miles on it. And from my understanding all fluids were changed about 2k before I got it to include the clutch fluid.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,375
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I can't image a 49K mile car needing a clutch unless those 49K miles were 1/4 mile at a time.
Sounds like the hydraulics are letting you down. Unless they have been replaced they are over 20 years old.
Try replacing the clutch fluid over and over again until it's as clear and clean as it can get. Maybe it will work. It's cheap.
A new clutch master cylinder is easy to install and cheap but probably not the problem. Pray.
A new clutch slave cylinder is a cheap part but very labor intensive (or $$$$) to replace. Start saving or gathering jacks and stands.
Sounds like the hydraulics are letting you down. Unless they have been replaced they are over 20 years old.
Try replacing the clutch fluid over and over again until it's as clear and clean as it can get. Maybe it will work. It's cheap.
A new clutch master cylinder is easy to install and cheap but probably not the problem. Pray.
A new clutch slave cylinder is a cheap part but very labor intensive (or $$$$) to replace. Start saving or gathering jacks and stands.
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Last edited by vette4fl; Jan 4, 2023 at 10:03 PM.
