Burnt clutch smell

**ppcastel** · 01-16-2009 08:26 PM

There something I have noticed lately. First off, the engagement on the clutch is a bit high, almost towards the end, and I don't really recall it being that high. Every other time, when I get out of my car, I smell burnt clutch even when I baby the car. I tested it tonight for about 10 miles absolutely babying the clutch and it did smell a bit. Thing is, my clutch doesn't slip at all. I do however, WOT in 6th at like 70mph most of the time to pass people, don't really feel like going into 5th, which I just read puts quite a bit of stress. I'll try to stop doing that...

I know this my clutch is prob going but I drive 99% highway miles in 6th all the time. Could this be? I searched but most people see their clutches slipping and stuff...mine absolutely doesn't...any suggestion, ideas, or how I could prolong the life of the clutch?

**Killerteve** · 01-16-2009 08:29 PM

My clutch never slipped until the day it died. Of course that was in stop and go traffic uphill in the snow, but it was on it's last legs anyway. FWIW I got the car at 70k and the previous owner said most miles where highway too.

**Jayh922** · 01-16-2009 08:35 PM

i know a little about it but a burnt clutch smell almost always means your clutch is on its way out. Same thing happened to one of my buddys. If its not slipping yet, it will eventually start to.
p.s. if or or you decide to replace the clutch make sure you get a fly wheel as well. I learned the hard way with my buddys tranny sitting on the ground waiting for the flywheel to come haha

**tiberiu831** · 01-16-2009 08:39 PM

yea i had same problem my clutch didnt last long after that going from first gear to second slipped like crazy ! good luck

**Papachristou** · 01-16-2009 10:13 PM

Burnt clutch smell = burnt clutch! Join us DIYers

**ppcastel** · 01-16-2009 11:25 PM

ehh...I guess I'll be getting a clutch sooner than I thought. I'm thinking of going FE SS, these clutches are supposed to last A LOT longer thank stock ones?

**mike-2ptzero** · 01-17-2009 12:17 AM

Just because you dont notice it slip badly doesn't mean it isn't slipping just a little causing the organic material to heat up giving off that burt clutch smell. Doesn't take much slipping to give off that nasty smell.

FE material will last a long time if used correctly and not allowed to slip too much. It replaced a ceramic material which doesn't last very long at all. If you plan on launching the car often and make a good amount of power dont buy a FE setup.

**ppcastel** · 01-17-2009 07:44 AM

^^^ Gotcha, I don't plan on launching the car often, but sometime you just can't help it. I may go grts or possibly 3+ from apr. I just want a strong clutch that will last a very long time, so which one do you suggest? btw which one should last longer fe ss or fx400?

**mike-2ptzero** · 01-17-2009 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by ppcastel

^^^ Gotcha, I don't plan on launching the car often, but sometime you just can't help it. I may go grts or possibly 3+ from apr. I just want a strong clutch that will last a very long time, so which one do you suggest? btw which one should last longer fe ss or fx400?

That is really hard to say seeing that your talking full face disk vs a puck. If you do plan on going GTRS or 3+ and might just happen to feel like launching the car, then I would suggest a FX400.

**Papachristou** · 01-17-2009 08:30 AM

mike, i thought the FE SS was built for the big stuff? although i dont have a BT, i launch my car without any trouble so far, not daily or anything but ive done it a lot.. and it hasnt fazed it yet

**mike-2ptzero** · 01-17-2009 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Papachristou

mike, i thought the FE SS was built for the big stuff? although i dont have a BT, i launch my car without any trouble so far, not daily or anything but ive done it a lot.. and it hasnt fazed it yet

Yes, but it is still a "street" clutch. Just make sure it doesn't slip at all other wise you will find yourself with a clutch that is stick to the flywheel. I have even talked to SB about this and they said that if the clutch slips for about 3 seconds this will happen since the FE is a metal material and will heat up quickly if it slips. So if it does slip let off but dont stop driving the car, this is where some of those people got in trouble because they allowed the flywheel and disk to cool while still touching and thats why they ends stuck togehter.