Burning clutch smell
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 31
From: Richmond Texas
Burning clutch smell
Tonight while driving the car, I was noticing a burnt clutch smell. I hadn't slipped the clutch at all (except for the normal amount when moving from a stop). It was holding fine (made a couple of WOT runs to be sure of that). Clutch pedal wasn't sticking. Any ideas? Car has 20567 miles on it. Thanks for the help yall.
[Modified by BigBlue, 1:51 AM 7/2/2004]
[Modified by BigBlue, 1:51 AM 7/2/2004]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Re: Burning clutch smell (BigBlue)
The "eau de clutch" fragrance is produced when the rotating clutch disc is slipped too much is overheated against the flywheel and pressure plate. When that occurs, it's usually in a launch with too much clutch slip, but can also occur on a strong shift with improper sychonization.
If you smell that, the disc got overheated. Could have happened earlier. That smell can linger for a day or more.
Either (1) you did it; (2) someone else did it (anyone else have access to your keys?) or (3) your clutch pedal is acting up and not fully releasing when it is pushed in.
You can answer (1) and (2).
As for (3), you probably should check the color of your clutch fluid in the round reservoir (black cap) near the firewall on the driver's side. If the fluid is black and full of floating goo, let us know.
Ranger
[Modified by Ranger, 8:44 AM 7/2/2004]
If you smell that, the disc got overheated. Could have happened earlier. That smell can linger for a day or more.
Either (1) you did it; (2) someone else did it (anyone else have access to your keys?) or (3) your clutch pedal is acting up and not fully releasing when it is pushed in.
You can answer (1) and (2).
As for (3), you probably should check the color of your clutch fluid in the round reservoir (black cap) near the firewall on the driver's side. If the fluid is black and full of floating goo, let us know.
Ranger
[Modified by Ranger, 8:44 AM 7/2/2004]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
From: Jonestown, TEXAS
Re: Burning clutch smell (Ranger)
Yeah I hate that smell. Once a clutch is glazed it will never hold the same again. If you hammer on your car be prepared to buy a new clutch. Good luck! 
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Re: Burning clutch smell (dahoof)
...Once a clutch is glazed it will never hold the same again....
I glazed mine on my first time on DRs in more than a year, when I botched the burnout (slow clutch foot) on the first pass of the day. The disc got very hot and the pedal stuck to the floor on launch. Eau de clutch was heavy in the air.
I let the car (and the clutch components) cool for a while. Came back and pulled a 1.69 60' three hours later, compared to my normal low 1.7s. And it has behaved normally since.
So my glazing incident had no lasting effect.
Ranger
