bad smell after clutch change

[wayne]

Ever since I had the clutch changed on my 92 Legacy (standard shift), a
bad burning smell emanates in the cabin every time I use the clutch in
first gear (on an incline). The person who changed the clutch also said he
had the pressure plate machined for a good fit. The clutch still skips a
bit from a standing start, just as it did before the work was done. I
had the clutch changed because of the skipping (hard to get it engaged in
first gear without the car vibrating and shaking) but now I'm still
saddled with the skipping but have an odor too. The mechanic couldn't
figure out what was wrong so he gave up after a while.

I'm thinking of having the clutch replaced again but don't want to go
through the same thing if I can help it. Does anyone know what's wrong
with the supposedly new clutch and what's causing the burning odor? I have
to drive with all the windows open. Needless to say, I don't use this car
much anymore.

Thanks,
Wayne

 

[Jim Stewart]

Ever since I had the clutch changed on my 92 Legacy (standard shift), a
bad burning smell emanates in the cabin every time I use the clutch in
first gear (on an incline). The person who changed the clutch also said he
had the pressure plate machined for a good fit. The clutch still skips a
bit from a standing start, just as it did before the work was done. I
had the clutch changed because of the skipping (hard to get it engaged in
first gear without the car vibrating and shaking) but now I'm still
saddled with the skipping but have an odor too. The mechanic couldn't
figure out what was wrong so he gave up after a while.

I'm thinking of having the clutch replaced again but don't want to go
through the same thing if I can help it. Does anyone know what's wrong
with the supposedly new clutch and what's causing the burning odor? I have
to drive with all the windows open. Needless to say, I don't use this car
much anymore.

He probably got grease on the clutch pads
or the pressure plate. Either he was just
careless and had greasy hands or he put
too much grease on the pilot bearing and
the grease was thrown out onto the pads.

I guess there's also the possibility that
your rear crank seal is bad, causing oil
to get in there, but it seems unlikely.

BTW, any clutch will smell if you're slipping
it to hold in place on a hill. Use the
brakes to hold the car, not the clutch.

 

[wayne]

He probably got grease on the clutch pads
or the pressure plate. Either he was just
careless and had greasy hands or he put
too much grease on the pilot bearing and
the grease was thrown out onto the pads.

Sounds like a reasonable explanation. It's been around 3 years already
since he worked on it. I use the car off and on and it still smells.

I guess there's also the possibility that
your rear crank seal is bad, causing oil
to get in there, but it seems unlikely.

The bad smell started after he worked on the clutch.

BTW, any clutch will smell if you're slipping
it to hold in place on a hill. Use the
brakes to hold the car, not the clutch.

Because of the smell, I don't use the clutch to hold the car... not unless
I'm wearing a gas mask.

Wayne

 

[johninKY]

My guess is after 3 years of slipping the clutch, pressure plate and
flywheel are now junk. If you decide to repair this problem just replace
everything.

 

[wayne]

My guess is after 3 years of slipping the clutch, pressure plate and
flywheel are now junk. If you decide to repair this problem just replace
everything.

I hardly ever drive this car. I've probably put no more than 5000 miles on
it the last 3 years.