Burnt clutch question 

"Funktheduck" (funktheduck) 12/18/2015 at 12:20 • Filed to: None

0

37

Took my car (Mazda 3) in for an oil change this morning for an oil change. Everything went smoothly except they washed it when I said not to. Then I got in my car.

It smelled so bad I nearly threw up. My first thought was someone had really bad BO and not wanting to offend anyone combined with the need to get to work I rolled down the windows and left.

After a little airing out the smell refined from punch me the nose bad to where I could actually define it: burnt clutch. I immediately called and discussed it with the service department. They said they’d talk to the people and offered a free oil change.

My question: is there any long term or short term damage? I’ve never ridden a clutch to the point it smells but have been in cars with people learning stick so that’s how I recognized it. There’s still a smell emanating from the transmission side of the engine several hours and about 80 miles later.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 12:26

3

“Sorry we roasted the only mechanical connection between your engine and your wheels. Have a free oil change!”

Fuck. That.

You’re probably okay, but I would be pushing for a new clutch if it smelled that bad.

Wacko > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 12:29

0

Long term yes, since a Clutch is sorta like brake pads. it’s premature wear.

CalzoneGolem > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 12:30

1

I’d shoot for a new clutch just be as polite as possible and explain how you’re concerned about the life of your clutch.

Wacko > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 12/18/2015 at 12:30

0

it just shortened the life of the clutch(not that that is a good thing), no need to replace it unless really finished.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Wacko 12/18/2015 at 12:32

2

He won’t get anything more than an oil change unless he asks. (And I would never bring my car back if the techs can’t even drive it)

Wacko > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 12/18/2015 at 12:35

4

free oil change is not enough my book either.

vicali > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 12/18/2015 at 12:55

1

agreed, and..

“Here, bring it back so we can really kill it next time”

Funktheduck > Wacko 12/18/2015 at 12:57

0

That's what I thought.

Wacko > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 13:02

0

your friction plates are just a little more used, just like if you forget the handbrake for a short time. Smells like crap too.

Funktheduck > CalzoneGolem 12/18/2015 at 13:19

1

Taking it in tomorrow morning. Won't have time to go back tonight before the rental place closes. Have to have a car for work.

Funktheduck > Wacko 12/18/2015 at 13:20

0

Well, the smell comes back every time I drive it (have to for work) so I talked to the manager and I'm taking it back in the morning

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 13:21

0

The technician who moved your car into and out of the garage probably knew zero about driving a clutch and used third gear instead of first, and rode the clutch like mechanical bronco in the bar.

Yes, he probably did much to wear your clutch prematurely and I would definitely ask to speak with a regional manager. They damaged your car.

Takuro Spirit > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 13:22

4

Make sure you document everything, and check for holes cut in belly pans.

Wacko > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 13:25

0

one of my ex-bosses had a manual forester, and a co-worker moved it for him. Guy said he could drive stick. we where in the shop and I hear my boss yelling, at my co-worker. When I got there all you could smell is burnt clutch, and my boss saying “why did you say you could drive stick”

the smell stayed for a good week, he might of took 15000kms off of that clutch in less than 15 seconds.

Funktheduck > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 12/18/2015 at 13:46

0

Think it was a wash guy. As I said before I asked them not to wash it

Funktheduck > Wacko 12/18/2015 at 13:50

1

The smell is starting to give me a headache

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 13:51

1

I’d get active on them. They damaged your car.

CalzoneGolem > Takuro Spirit 12/18/2015 at 13:56

0

Holes cut in belly pans? Is this a Mazda trade secret?

traitor joe > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 13:56

0

I glazed my clutch over a year ago and it STILL slips all the time and smells almost every time I use it. One factor is how much friction material is left on the clutch, but another is the mating surface between the clutch disk and flywheel. If they fucked up the second one, you could be dealing with a car that drives differently until the clutch is replaced.

mazda616 > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 13:56

0

The clutch will probably last a while (not in danger of immediately failing) but I'd at least shoot for a new clutch or they money for a new clutch. That's premature wear on a relatively new (and nice) car.

Takuro Spirit > CalzoneGolem 12/18/2015 at 13:57

0

http://jalopnik.com/i-mean-someone…

Funktheduck > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 12/18/2015 at 13:58

0

Taking it back in the morning

Funktheduck > mazda616 12/18/2015 at 14:02

0

Taking it back in the morning to have them look at it. The manager said they’d pay if they damaged it. That “if” has me worried but I know they're required to say it

CalzoneGolem > Takuro Spirit 12/18/2015 at 14:07

0

So, when is your aluminum replacement coming?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 14:20

0

I would be the kindly brontosaurus, give them a kind and gentle ass whipping.

Takuro Spirit > CalzoneGolem 12/18/2015 at 14:39

0

I might fab up my own. Doesn’t seem too hard to make, and I have lots of scrap metal at work.

Funktheduck > Takuro Spirit 12/18/2015 at 14:41

0

I'll take a peek

TahoeSTi > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 16:33

0

How many miles on the car? If the smell keeps coming back your clutch might be slipping while you are driving. If you really want to test it put in it 5 or 6th gear at 60mph and floor it see if it holds. Normally when clutches wear they only slip in the highest gears......my experience with clutch replacements by mileage is: Ford mustang 60,000 miles first clutch (modified and drag racing on track), 1996 Jetta 140,000 miles, 2006 Sti 84,000 miles (modified beyond what the factory clutch could take.)

Honestly if you have 100k or more on the factory clutch this is hardly the shops doing, if anything someone slipped you clutch a little bit going in and out of the bays and it may have been the final straw.

bryan40oop > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 17:23

0

Jesus how long do you have to ride the clutch to get it to that point though? Did they take it for a joy ride?

Funktheduck > TahoeSTi 12/18/2015 at 18:47

0

A little over 50k. Bone stock. Most of my driving is highway (aka 6th gear cruisin)

Funktheduck > bryan40oop 12/18/2015 at 18:49

0

Not a clue. Best guess is they left the hand brake on while trying to get going in 3rd

TahoeSTi > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 21:35

0

Smell should go away soon, make sure it’s not spilt oil or something burning.....clutches usually do have a very distinct smell.

Nauraushaun > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 22:11

0

I’ve taught many people to drive manual, and never smelled more than a small amount of clutch. I reckon they’ve done some damage, I think they owe you a new one.

Obviously they don’t check or care whether their staff can drive manual before putting them in a manual car, the only way they’ll learn is to pay for it.

Funktheduck > TahoeSTi 12/18/2015 at 22:30

0

Checked for fluids. Smell is coming directly from the transmission side of the engine. Pretty sure my nose is dead from the smell all day

Funktheduck > Nauraushaun 12/18/2015 at 22:31

0

Yeah. Going first thing in the morning. I'll update

TahoeSTi > Funktheduck 12/18/2015 at 23:32

0

Burnt clutch isn’t that bad, trust me i’ve burnt many, the mustangs first clutch was at 60k, and now it’s on transmission number 4 with clutches in between and if your’s was still burning you’d notice the slipping when you drive.

Nauraushaun > Funktheduck 12/19/2015 at 05:49

0

Good luck and godspeed