Help! Got New Clutch Installed And Smells!

[Guest QSDA]

got a new clutch installed at PepBoys for around $400 and it smelled so bad. so after 3,4 days. took it back and they changed it for free but they told me i had to take it easy for about 500 miles. so, when i drove my car carefully to home with the 2nd new clutch it still smelled. i dont know what to do.

 

when they tell u to take it easy what do they mean? dont slam on the clutch too much or too hard or dont hit the gas too much or??? im confused please help. how do you supposed handle new clutches? i've been driving 5 speed about 5yrs.

 

couple days ago, a friend of my dad told me that car "masters" dont use their clutches most of the time, just use it in the 1st gear and from then on u can disengage and engage to the next gear without using your clutch. so i tried that and it actually works - i was really surprised by the way - but is thst bad or good? personally ive never heard about this before.

 

Please help me out here guys. what should i do and is that technique real or the guy who told me that is crazy?

[seatkid]

This forum is a UK forum about topics related to the european Ford Galaxy and VW/Seat equivalents. Seems that service is the US is very bad indeed.

 

A new clutch shouldnt smell or require running/bedding in. It has been incorrectly installed or incorrect parts used. Don't you have a consumer watchdog you can complain to?

 

As for your dads advice about gear changing without using the clutch, yes, it is possible, but dont do it!!! You will end up breaking your gearbox. (you will wear the syncromesh and/or break the gears)

 

"Master" drivers do use the clutch - dont listen to your dad...

[Richmond]

I've never experienced a bad smell caused by a new clutch, nor have I ever been advised to 'run in' a new clutch. Sounds as if you've found a bunch of cowboys.

 

Not using the clutch when changing gear is perfectly possible and is useful when your clutch cable (if you have one) snaps, but its a good way to knacker a perfectly good gear box. Still, it's nice to hear that old timers are still talking the sort of drivel they were when I started driving; don't use the clutch, double declutch (usually a different old timer, but not always), reverse up steep hills, take out the rotor arm when you park, coast downhill to save petrol, add 10% water to your petrol tank, always wear a hat when driving and so on.

[Guest kd035050]

you missed one. you need to put the ariel down when listening to the radio as to save money on the ruduced wind resistance,

 

A clutch must never smell at anytime anles under extreme load, I think it needs looked at.

[Guest Andyjflet]

When my clutch was replaced on my old TDi Galaxy the burning smell stayed for about a week, probably left over from the previous clutch burning out. Give it a week and see what happens.