New Clutch Smell!

Hugoneus · 03-02-2010, 01:37 PM

I am still a little rusty with my clutch, so I tend to hold it in the middle for two long in first gear. Have you guys noticed that the clutch can release an unpleasant smell into the car?

(PS: I had no passengers, so I know it is not coming from someone!)

Modshack · 03-02-2010, 01:49 PM

That unpleasant smell is Dollars burning, as you'll probably have to do a premature clutch replacement if you continue like this.

Engage it and release.....The only slippage should be on your initial start up...

vipor · 03-02-2010, 01:49 PM

Before anyone else says it.... Is this your first car?

Improper use of the clutch will cause it to wear more than it's supposed to thereby causing what I typically refer to as an "organic" smell. It is normal and is a sign that you are doing something wrong. Prolonged incidents can lead to early failure of course, so work on your technique.

When I first got my Z I had to park on raised spaces at my (now ex-)GF's house. Not knowing how safe it was to do I was holding the parking brake while feathering the clutch in reverse. (Trying to keep the car from rolling forward, but once the clutch grabbed let off the e-brake and move back more.)

I ended up smelling a lot of clutch that night, but haven't since. Still operates perfectly.

Chupacabra · 03-02-2010, 01:57 PM

for some reason on the z the clutch tends to slip more than any other car I have ever driven... the engagement and disengagement points on the pedal are just funky.

Hugoneus · 03-02-2010, 02:00 PM

Thanks everyone. I will work on my technique. The smell has only happened twice, plus the car is brand new, so it will take time for me to get used to the clutch.

Vegitto-kun · 03-02-2010, 02:06 PM

basically you are burning the clutch.

not good to say the least

kenchan · 03-02-2010, 04:31 PM

your clutch should not smell...

LateralG'z · 03-02-2010, 07:53 PM

nissan has a weak clutch for the type of power and gearing ratio so with you riding it, you are smelling dollars vanish and service come early. technique and practice can remove this problem. when you replace it, by something with more pressure and stronger material than stock to get better grip and less slip.

Trips · 03-02-2010, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modshack

That unpleasant smell is Dollars burning, as you'll probably have to do a premature clutch replacement if you continue like this.

Engage it and release.....The only slippage should be on your initial start up...

Brendan@Bwalk · 03-02-2010, 10:11 PM

Organic clutches are really intolerant of slipping while they are breaking in, and tend to stink really easy if heated before they are fully broken in. While the car is new and breaking in, you need to be really careful, as you can hot spot the flywheel and then the clutch will feel like garbage until it's replaced.

A few times aren't going to kill it though, so if you are a bit more careful through the rest of the break in process you should be fine.

tonybui · 03-03-2010, 12:02 AM

Do you guys take your foot off of the clutch when backing up? I always hold it in the "middle" because backing up only takes about less than 30 seconds. How do you guys do it?

370Zvetlana · 03-03-2010, 12:55 AM

i learned to drive manual 3 weeks ago, only had the smell once: in traffic on a fairly steep hill (i was maintaining the friction point in the stop and go traffic in fear of rolling backwards into the car behind me), but i go up that hill everyday, and havent had the smell since. got used to keeping foot off the clutch until time to move, find the friction point with foot on break then hit the gas.... god knows if im doing it right, but i want to learn without the ebreak, and no bad smell except that one time, so hopefully no damage lol

tjlazer · 03-03-2010, 12:33 PM

Jeeze i've smelled my clutch about a dozen times already, and I've only had the car a month! (Been driving stick since 1988)

The clutch in this car is a pain.

Endgame · 03-03-2010, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zvetlana

i learned to drive manual 3 weeks ago, only had the smell once: in traffic on a fairly steep hill (i was maintaining the friction point in the stop and go traffic in fear of rolling backwards into the car behind me), but i go up that hill everyday, and havent had the smell since. got used to keeping foot off the clutch until time to move, find the friction point with foot on break then hit the gas.... god knows if im doing it right, but i want to learn without the ebreak, and no bad smell except that one time, so hopefully no damage lol

does holding it midway burn up the clutch? when you smelled the burning smell, were you on the gas at all or just the clutch midway?

Brendan@Bwalk · 03-03-2010, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonybui

Do you guys take your foot off of the clutch when backing up? I always hold it in the "middle" because backing up only takes about less than 30 seconds. How do you guys do it?

Usually when I'm backing up, I pull the clutch to the friction point, accelerate, and then put the clutch back in. I might touch the friction point a few times, but for a short duration, with almost no throttle.

Clutches usually don't like to be held at their friction point for long; that slip is what generates heat, and that smell is you cooking the clutch. Light load slips aren't terrible, but not good for the clutch either.

03-02-2010, 01:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Hugoneus Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Milky Way Posts: 245 Drives: 2010 370z T+S+N 6MT Rep Power: 15	New Clutch Smell! I am still a little rusty with my clutch, so I tend to hold it in the middle for two long in first gear. Have you guys noticed that the clutch can release an unpleasant smell into the car? (PS: I had no passengers, so I know it is not coming from someone!) __________________ 2010 Cherry Black Nissan 370z + Black Interior + 6MT Touring + Sport + Navigation + Painted Splash Guards + Illuminated Kick Plates + Fog Light + Floor Mats + Clear Bra

03-02-2010, 01:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Modshack A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greenville NC Posts: 2,883 Drives: 370Z Sport Rep Power: 976	That unpleasant smell is Dollars burning, as you'll probably have to do a premature clutch replacement if you continue like this. Engage it and release.....The only slippage should be on your initial start up... __________________ Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S Oil Cooler DIY: Here!

03-02-2010, 01:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 42 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 49	Before anyone else says it.... Is this your first car? Improper use of the clutch will cause it to wear more than it's supposed to thereby causing what I typically refer to as an "organic" smell. It is normal and is a sign that you are doing something wrong. Prolonged incidents can lead to early failure of course, so work on your technique. When I first got my Z I had to park on raised spaces at my (now ex-)GF's house. Not knowing how safe it was to do I was holding the parking brake while feathering the clutch in reverse. (Trying to keep the car from rolling forward, but once the clutch grabbed let off the e-brake and move back more.) I ended up smelling a lot of clutch that night, but haven't since. Still operates perfectly. __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

03-02-2010, 01:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Chupacabra Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Weston, Florida Posts: 477 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z s M6 Rep Power: 200	for some reason on the z the clutch tends to slip more than any other car I have ever driven... the engagement and disengagement points on the pedal are just funky. __________________ Where are my aluminum pedals?

03-02-2010, 02:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
Hugoneus Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Milky Way Posts: 245 Drives: 2010 370z T+S+N 6MT Rep Power: 15	Thanks everyone. I will work on my technique. The smell has only happened twice, plus the car is brand new, so it will take time for me to get used to the clutch. __________________ 2010 Cherry Black Nissan 370z + Black Interior + 6MT Touring + Sport + Navigation + Painted Splash Guards + Illuminated Kick Plates + Fog Light + Floor Mats + Clear Bra

03-02-2010, 02:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Vegitto-kun A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: USA Posts: 2,011 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 262	basically you are burning the clutch. not good to say the least

03-02-2010, 04:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	your clutch should not smell...

03-02-2010, 07:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
LateralG'z Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 876 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 17	nissan has a weak clutch for the type of power and gearing ratio so with you riding it, you are smelling dollars vanish and service come early. technique and practice can remove this problem. when you replace it, by something with more pressure and stronger material than stock to get better grip and less slip. __________________ 2010 Mag Black, 6MT,

03-02-2010, 10:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
Brendan@Bwalk Supporting Nissan Dealer Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 56 Drives: Unreliable V8 Rep Power: 15	Organic clutches are really intolerant of slipping while they are breaking in, and tend to stink really easy if heated before they are fully broken in. While the car is new and breaking in, you need to be really careful, as you can hot spot the flywheel and then the clutch will feel like garbage until it's replaced. A few times aren't going to kill it though, so if you are a bit more careful through the rest of the break in process you should be fine. __________________ Brendan Dolan Internet Sales Boardwalk Nissan Check out my current 370Z inventory! Check out my Nissan Leaf Blog and help me pad the analytics with unique visitors...

03-03-2010, 12:02 AM	#11 (permalink)
tonybui A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,397 Drives: 09 Sports 6 Speed Rep Power: 427	Do you guys take your foot off of the clutch when backing up? I always hold it in the "middle" because backing up only takes about less than 30 seconds. How do you guys do it?

03-03-2010, 12:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
370Zvetlana Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 131 Drives: 2009 370Z Black MT Rep Power: 15	i learned to drive manual 3 weeks ago, only had the smell once: in traffic on a fairly steep hill (i was maintaining the friction point in the stop and go traffic in fear of rolling backwards into the car behind me), but i go up that hill everyday, and havent had the smell since. got used to keeping foot off the clutch until time to move, find the friction point with foot on break then hit the gas.... god knows if im doing it right, but i want to learn without the ebreak, and no bad smell except that one time, so hopefully no damage lol

03-03-2010, 12:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
tjlazer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tacoma Age: 53 Posts: 2,496 Drives: Z34, R35 Rep Power: 19	Jeeze i've smelled my clutch about a dozen times already, and I've only had the car a month! (Been driving stick since 1988) The clutch in this car is a pain.

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