Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Maintenance and Repair / March 2006

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

Problem with clutch - bad smell.....Any ideas?

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
pokee@shaw.ca - 08 Mar 2006 08:05 GMT
Hi -

I own a 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara (and have owned it for over two
years).  Recently, it has started to emit a really bad burning smell
immediately after riding the clutch a bit (like when I am pulling out
of a parallel parking spot on a hill).

My car NEVER did this before and just starting doing it.  It's a
burning smell - or, sorry for the bad description, like a fart
smell...so my car is farting! ha ha! ;-)

Anyway, the clutch still seems to be working fine (my husband and I
have both tested shifting up hills and it's doing it's job) - it's just
scaring me when the clutch smells that bad immediately after riding it.

Could the clutch need an adjustment maybe?  Or is this smell just
normal sometimes when rpms get revved up really high?

Thanks in advance!
Paula
HLS@nospam.nix - 08 Mar 2006 13:31 GMT
> Could the clutch need an adjustment maybe?  Or is this smell just
> normal sometimes when rpms get revved up really high?
>
> Thanks in advance!
> Paula

I have never smelled a clutch related issue that had a sulfurous odor,
but who knows?

Actually, I suspect you have a problem with your catalytic converter
or related system.  When you are starting up and pulling away, the
emissions system may be overloaded with gasoline (rich) which can
cause sulfurous gas to be produced.  That is my best guess, anyway.
Don Bruder - 08 Mar 2006 13:38 GMT
> Hi -
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Thanks in advance!
> Paula

The key concept here is that you're slipping the clutch, which *ALWAYS*
causes heat. The secondary concept is "it just started doing it", which
indicates (at least to me) that you're probably due for a fresh clutch
disk and/or flywheel/pressure-plate resurfacing pretty soon - Likely due
to you slipping it. Unless you can't avoid it, slipping the clutch as
you describe is to be avoided as much as possible, for exactly the
reason you're seeing. (err... smelling)

How many miles on the clock? You say you've had it 2 years, and its a
'00 model, so I wouldn't doubt that it's getting close to time for a
clutch job anyway, particularly if you regularly slip it as described.
No telling what the previous owner did to/with it, obviously, but it's
possible that (s)he was another clutch-rider.

A good rule is to always get off the clutch pedal as quickly as possible
- The quicker the disk is solidly mashed against the flywheel by the
pressure plate, the quicker the disk can dump whatever heat built up
during the most recent operation to the flywheel, instead of retaining
it and cooking itself.

Signature

Don Bruder - dakidd@sonic.net - If your "From:" address isn't on my whitelist,
or the subject of the message doesn't contain the exact text "PopperAndShadow"
somewhere, any message sent to this address will go in the garbage without my
ever knowing it arrived. Sorry... <http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd> for more info

John S. - 08 Mar 2006 14:32 GMT
> Hi -
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Thanks in advance!
> Paula

If it's a 2000 car then chances are it has 80,000 to 100,000 miles and
the clutch could be worn out.  The way I test a clutch is to drive up a
grade in high gear, hold the gas pedal down and press on the clutch
until it starts to slip and release the clutch pedal.  The engine
should immediately slow down to operating speed.  If it takes more than
an instant then the clutch is for sure going bad.

However, cars can emit several different smells, so you might want to
have it evaluated by a good repair shop or Suzuki dealer.
pokee@shaw.ca - 09 Mar 2006 01:02 GMT
> > Hi -
> >
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> However, cars can emit several different smells, so you might want to
> have it evaluated by a good repair shop or Suzuki dealer.

The car has 70,000kms on it (which is approx. 43,500 miles) which is no
where near the point for a new clutch.  Plus, I already did a test on a
hill (noted in my original post) to see if it was slipping - it is not.

I have a feeling that one of the other posters is correct - I need a
new clutch plate or something associated with the clutch, because I
have worn something out from riding it on the hills.  I park on a hill
for a class twice a week and now I've started parking downhill instead
of up to avoid having to ride the clutch a bit.

I'll go take it in and see what they say....thanks!

Paula
Mike Romain - 09 Mar 2006 01:13 GMT
Sounds like you have just been too slow on the footwork lately.  If it
doesn't slip, then I wouldn't worry about it.

One trick for you is to use the emergency brake.  That way you can have
your foot on the gas and clutch for a fast lockup.

Just a thought...  The smell you describe can be caused by a catalytic
converter getting too much raw gas in it.  It burns it off as it heats
up and the fast revs when trying to start out maybe could get you the
smell.  The smell might be there at speed too, but is just blowing away.

Has the gas mileage gotten worse lately?  If so I would be getting the
codes read to see how things like the O2 sensor was working...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos:  Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

> > > Hi -
> > >
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
>
> Paula
Don Bruder - 09 Mar 2006 02:07 GMT
> Sounds like you have just been too slow on the footwork lately.  If it
> doesn't slip, then I wouldn't worry about it.
>
> One trick for you is to use the emergency brake.  That way you can have
> your foot on the gas and clutch for a fast lockup.

Absolutely, totally, completely, perfectly correct advice. Gold star for
ya, Mike :)

That's why the parking brake on a stick is usually right there on the
hump within easy reach of your right hand. Set it when you stop, put it
in first, and grab the brake handle - when you're ready to take off,
throttle up, clutch out, and unlock brake in one motion. Nice easy
takeoff with minimal clutch slip every time, regardless of how you're
parked.

(Ever pondered just how much coordination is required to drive a stick?
If not, think about this: Depending on exact circumstances, at any given
instant, you may need to be actively operating five or six separate
controls simultaneously. Using only four limbs...)

Signature

Don Bruder - dakidd@sonic.net - If your "From:" address isn't on my whitelist,
or the subject of the message doesn't contain the exact text "PopperAndShadow"
somewhere, any message sent to this address will go in the garbage without my
ever knowing it arrived. Sorry... <http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd> for more info

John S. - 09 Mar 2006 13:45 GMT
> > Sounds like you have just been too slow on the footwork lately.  If it
> > doesn't slip, then I wouldn't worry about it.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> instant, you may need to be actively operating five or six separate
> controls simultaneously. Using only four limbs...)

Excellent point.  And the coordination issue can be used to benefit
too.  My three kids learned to drive on a stick shift and I sent each
one off to school with a manual transmission equipped car.  Each of
them thanked me within a year because the manual transmission solved
the problem of friends asking to borrow the car.  Driving a stick shift
is a disappearing skill!
John S. - 09 Mar 2006 13:47 GMT
> > > Hi -
> > >
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
>
> Paula

I would be interested in reading what the real problem is.  If you get
a chance, please post the results.
Kaz Kylheku - 09 Mar 2006 21:48 GMT
> > > Hi -
> > >
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> The car has 70,000kms on it (which is approx. 43,500 miles) which is no
> where near the point for a new clutch.

You didn't buy the car new. Who knows how it was driven before?

Plus you said you rev the engine "really high" while you ride the
clutch!!!

The long service lives cited for clutches based on the assumption that
the equipment is used properly. The assumption is that the clutch is
subject to only brief moments of friction, with moderate rises in
temperature.

Incorrect technique will rapidly accelerate clutch wear.

You can destroy a clutch in a day, if you really try, while the
odometer only puts on a few miles.

> I have a feeling that one of the other posters is correct - I need a
> new clutch plate or something associated with the clutch, because I
> have worn something out from riding it on the hills.  I park on a hill
> for a class twice a week and now I've started parking downhill instead
> of up to avoid having to ride the clutch a bit.

What difference does that make? If you face downhill, you may have to
back into the spot.  If the spot is tight, you have to do a few moves
back and forth to get in and out.

Facing downhill helps you only if you can get into the spot without
having to reverse, and if there is enough room later to get out without
reversing.

Otherwwise, it can be easier to get out if you are facing uphill. You
let the car roll back with gravity while you swing out the front,
easily controlling its motion with the main brake. Then do a normal
uphill start to get out. It's also easier to get into the spot in the
first place if you face uphill, because you use gravity to back in.

If you're facing down, you may have to reverse uphill before you can
get out. This is more tricky because you have to control the car so
that it doesn't hit the car behind you. And of course you had to back
uphill to get into that spot.
Kaz Kylheku - 09 Mar 2006 21:34 GMT
> Hi -
>
> I own a 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara (and have owned it for over two
> years).  Recently, it has started to emit a really bad burning smell
> immediately after riding the clutch a bit (like when I am pulling out
> of a parallel parking spot on a hill).

[ snip ]

> Could the clutch need an adjustment maybe?  Or is this smell just
> normal sometimes when rpms get revved up really high?

That could be your problem right there! If your RPMs can, in any
reasonable, or even conservative sense of the phrase "really high", be
characterized as "really high" while you are slipping the clutch, you
have a slight problem understanding clutches and respecting their
limitations. You need adjustment, not the clutch.

Under worst case circumstances, you don't need to go above 2000 RPM,
nor slip the clutch for longer than 2 seconds. I will probably get
flamed for suggesting such outrageously high numbers, too.

Take some lessons. Get into your car with some expert who will tell you
what you're doing wrong and how to do it differently.

During parallel parking moves, you only make brief touches with the
clutch to get the car to roll. The clutch quickly comes up to the
friction point, stays there very briefly, and then comes right down all
the way! In other words, the clutch is disengaged most of the time.
This is true even on an incline. Use the hand brake to hold the car
when starting, and a combination of hand brake and gravity to stop it
from hitting the car in front.  The downhill moves are just done using
gravity; no need to engage the clutch at all, nor even to change gear
from forward to reverse or vice versa.

Sure, this stuff is mildly difficult, but you sign up for it when you
get that manual car.  Part of the fun is constantly monitoring your
technique and striving to improve. People who don't want to monitor
their technique in controlling a sensitive machine, and strive to hone
it to perfection, should not drive manuals.

If you've been abusing the clutch for as long as you've owned the car,
no wonder.
Kaz Kylheku - 09 Mar 2006 21:56 GMT
> My car NEVER did this before and just starting doing it.  It's a
> burning smell - or, sorry for the bad description, like a fart
> smell...so my car is farting! ha ha! ;-)

This is confusing. These two smells are nothing alike. A fart does not
smell like something is burning. Farts smell due to the presence of
hydorcarbons with -S-H groups (sulphur, hydrogen). If it's like rotten
eggs, it's likely the catalytic converter. But your description is
ambiguous; nobody would describe that as burning. Maybe you have both
smells going on at once.

It could be that you get nervous when you are doing these parallel
parking moves, and have a gaseous bowel movement from the tension
without noticing it.

> Anyway, the clutch still seems to be working fine (my husband and I
> have both tested shifting up hills and it's doing it's job) - it's just
> scaring me when the clutch smells that bad immediately after riding it.

Exactly. You get scared, and blow one. Is that "rotten eggs" component
of the smell more prominent if you sample the air nearer to the seat
cushion?
pokee@shaw.ca - 11 Mar 2006 06:11 GMT
> > My car NEVER did this before and just starting doing it.  It's a
> > burning smell - or, sorry for the bad description, like a fart
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> of the smell more prominent if you sample the air nearer to the seat
> cushion?

Ha ha, very funny.  Sorry to confuse you about the smells.  Jeez, I've
never had anyone analyze a 'fart' smell before.  ????  Never knew
someone could find that so interesting....Kaz, I think I'll officially
dub you the FART GUY!  Now, THAT'S funny!

FYI, Fart Guy (tee hee), I am not getting 'scared' on the hills. I've
been driving a stick for 20 years.  I may happen to be a tad hard on my
clutch at times, but not to the extent where I have wrecked it (I've
owned a total of 4 cars - all with a manual transmission - that did NOT
require new clutches or have any SMELL of any kind while I owned them -
so I am quite convinced this clutch was probably in need of a repair
when we bought the car - as were many other items).

For the posters who are interested, I will definitely let you know what
the problem is once it is diagnosed at the Suzuki dealership.  Thanks
for your help!

Paula
HLS@nospam.nix - 11 Mar 2006 14:56 GMT
> For the posters who are interested, I will definitely let you know what
> the problem is once it is diagnosed at the Suzuki dealership.  Thanks
> for your help!
>
> Paula

That would be appreciated, Paula.
pokee@shaw.ca - 13 Mar 2006 00:28 GMT
> > For the posters who are interested, I will definitely let you know what
> > the problem is once it is diagnosed at the Suzuki dealership.  Thanks
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> That would be appreciated, Paula.

Hey - I brought my car into the dealer yesterday for a quick check.  My
mechanic says the clutch looks fine.  He thinks the smell I was
smelling was either just burnt clutch smell from overriding the clutch
on hills or something else related to it that he cannot detect.  He
couldn't find any other problems.  Guess that's just my car's way of
telling me to ease up and to start using the e-brake more on hills! ;-)
Thanks for all your ideas, anyway!

Paula
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.