Burning Smell

[dlm2310]

Hi Guys,

I'm assuming it is the clutch as when I am doing clutch control for lets say a couple of minutes I can smell a putrid burning smell in the cabin. Then as I pull away the biting point seems to be higher than normal.

I flagged this with the dealer about a year ago and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it but to me I reckon they just took it for a spin and it didn't happen to them.

It happened again last week and seen as it is under warranty and in next week for a different job I am going to mention it again.

Is there a way they can check the clutch (properly) without test driving it or taking the car to bits ?

Just doesn't seem right, if I was a betting man I would say it was burning out ?

My warranty runs out in 9 months so need it sorting for obvious reasons.

Cheers

 

[PhilOfCas]

don't take offence, but why would you be doing clutch control for a couple of minutes ?

Good morning by the way.

 

[dlm2310]

No offence taken

I was at lights on a gradient and I am not one to put the handbrake on, thought only women did that

At the end of the day a clutch should be able to take some stick and shouldn't be burning out. Although I don't use the handbrake I don't feel I use the clutch excessively as it's really a one off when I use the lights I am on about.

Good morning to you too

 

[Viking]

Sounds like you're in the process of burning out your clutch due to your driving style (clutch control). Just like your brakes when they get heavy use, it overheats, and that'll be the smell you get. I'd be using the handbrake myself, and not worry about whether its a girly thing or not.

If Seat dealers are anything like VW then your clutch will cost you, not be warranty. It is a wear item, same as the brake pads.

 

[JonTelfer]

I had something similar - but without holding the car on the clutch, I assumed it was something to do with DPF cleaning (although the light wasn't flashing)

Jon

 

[dlm2310]

Sounds like you're in the process of burning out your clutch due to your driving style (clutch control). Just like your brakes when they get heavy use, it overheats, and that'll be the smell you get. I'd be using the handbrake myself, and not worry about whether its a girly thing or not.

If Seat dealers are anything like VW then your clutch will cost you, not be warranty. It is a wear item, same as the brake pads.

With all due respect I don't agree.

A clutch that is 2 years old should not be burning out. Modern clutches that burn out after 2 years is simply not wear and tear as I said it is not often I use the road where the gradient is and on other occasions on the flat I will use the brake.

I wouldn't be surprised if the dealer tried to get out of replacing under warranty but how can anyone say a clutch burning out after 2 years / 30000 miles is wear and tear ?

Sorry to sound sceptical but I've had so much going wrong with my car inc flywheel on gearbox, reverse parking sensors, aircon, door seal etc (all sorted under warranty) I automatically start to think it is another thing going wrong which shouldn't be.

 

[mjr600]

A burnt clutch can happen with 1 mile on the clock if the car is driven in a style which does not properly engage or disengage the clutch.

Reading you post it sounds like the manner in which you drive is the influencing factor.

 

[jtmac]

Using the handbrake while waiting at junctions or in traffic seems to be one of those exactly-how-the-driving-instructor-taught-it habits that i've kept (while picking up other 'bad' habits) but it seems to me that only me and my dad still do it.

Everyone else I know either sits on the biting point wasting fuel and wearing the clutch out, or sits in the foot brake lighting up the people behind.

I'm more tempted to wait with the foot brake on in my Altea though because SEAT haven't bothered to put the handbrake on my side of the car. I assume that LHD and RHD Alteas have the same centre console and handbrake.

 

[Viking]

If you drive with your foot on the brakes, and prematurely wear your pads out, the end result will be the same as slipping your clutch to hold the car on a hill. You'll wear them both out.

Warranty will cover a broken clutch (such as pressure plate springs broken, or manufacturing fault) but not wear and tear.

With all due respect, of course.

 

[dlm2310]

So we've ascertained it's my driving style !!

If a clutch can burn out after a mile of driving are you telling me that a dealer can argue wear and tear ?

Thanks for your comments anyway they were appreciated.

I'll get them to look at it anyway.

How much are Seat clutches anyway in case the time comes and it does pack in ? Obviously a SEAT dealer will not be the most econmic place to carry out the work

 

[jtmac]

When you go to the dealer don't tell then that you sit on the clutch for ages because it make it easy for them to get out of it. 2 years / 30000 miles is a quick and I'd expect them to do it under warranty but don't make it easier for them to blame wear and tear.

Have you got a re-map? the dealer may want to blame that too.

 

[dlm2310]

cheers jtmac

No remap but we'll see what they say

 

[Bondiblu]

As far as I am aware, the clutch is only covered under warranty for the first 2 years. In the third year of warranty, it's not covered.

 

[Triple D]

With all due respect I don't agree.

A clutch that is 2 years old should not be burning out. Modern clutches that burn out after 2 years is simply not wear and tear as I said it is not often I use the road where the gradient is and on other occasions on the flat I will use the brake.

I wouldn't be surprised if the dealer tried to get out of replacing under warranty but how can anyone say a clutch burning out after 2 years / 30000 miles is wear and tear ?

Sorry to sound sceptical but I've had so much going wrong with my car inc flywheel on gearbox, reverse parking sensors, aircon, door seal etc (all sorted under warranty) I automatically start to think it is another thing going wrong which shouldn't be.

And you know this how? i test burnt out clutches all day long for a world known name. "SACHS" Yes clutches are designed to last, but depending on how you drive they will burn out in 2 miles, or they could last for 100k miles. Doing clutch control on a hill is a big No No IMHO, as your theoretically slipping the clutch to stay still. Slipping the clutch creates heat which will cause the resin in the lining to break down.... you contine to do this and your clutch will be out the door in a matter of a few weeks, and id gurantee the DMF will be scrap aswell.

If i was you, id change your driving style, dont do clutch control to stay still on a hill, use your foot brake or hand brake, then move off once the traffic has moved.

Thats my advice for you, take it or leave it its not my clutch your burning out at the end of the day......................

 

[dlm2310]

And you know this how? i test burnt out clutches all day long for a world known name. "SACHS" Yes clutches are designed to last, but depending on how you drive they will burn out in 2 miles, or they could last for 100k miles. Doing clutch control on a hill is a big No No IMHO, as your theoretically slipping the clutch to stay still. Slipping the clutch creates heat which will cause the resin in the lining to break down.... you contine to do this and your clutch will be out the door in a matter of a few weeks, and id gurantee the DMF will be scrap aswell.

If i was you, id change your driving style, dont do clutch control to stay still on a hill, use your foot brake or hand brake, then move off once the traffic has moved.

Thats my advice for you, take it or leave it its not my clutch your burning out at the end of the day......................

So modern clutches are not designed for clutch control ?

I'm sorry mate, you can test them for a living but give me an example then where they have burnt out after 2 miles ?

If you had a new car and the clutch went after 2 miles what would you say ?

Yes theoretically I could sit in my drive, engage neutral and bang the accelerator down and burn it out with handbrake on.

 

[Tabintab]

So modern clutches are not designed for clutch control ?

I'm sorry mate, you can test them for a living but give me an example then where they have burnt out after 2 miles ?

If you had a new car and the clutch went after 2 miles what would you say ?

Yes theoretically I could sit in my drive, engage neutral and bang the accelerator down and burn it out with handbrake on.

I know where you’re coming from, and yes your right the clutch should still last a fair amount even if you do slip the clutch, though tbh I think you’re putting unnecessary wear on your car.

On another point I sympathise with you, your Altea sounds almost as full as faults as mine. I literally have lost count of the amount of times my car has needed warranty work. Recently I had 4 new wheels fitted to the car because one of the fronts was corroded (Thanks Seat for changing 4 wheels & not just the one affected). Also had yet another driver’s side rear door window seal replacement.

But after all the faults with the car I still love it to bits, best car I have ever had.

 

[Triple D]

So modern clutches are not designed for clutch control ?

I'm sorry mate, you can test them for a living but give me an example then where they have burnt out after 2 miles ?

If you had a new car and the clutch went after 2 miles what would you say ?

Yes theoretically I could sit in my drive, engage neutral and bang the accelerator down and burn it out with handbrake on.

2 miles may have been a little exagerated, but certanly we have had them were they have stripped the lining and cooked the cover aswell in say 10-15 miles. It can happen with numerous things and problems, due to grease or oil getting on the lining, then it will just continually slip and thats it then, clutch will be toasted in no time. It can also happen if the clutch has been damaged in instalation, and if its dragging then it will also cook it.

Your comments that you have made are absolute bullshit imho, you have no idea to the workings of a clutch, no idea on how little a thing can effect the clutch operating and no idea on how long a clutch can last for!

 

[mjr600]

Triple D is correct, sometimes it's just hard to accept you may wrong and then to accept advice.

 

[Viking]

Yes theoretically I could sit in my drive, engage neutral and bang the accelerator down and burn it out with handbrake on.

In theory (and in practice) this wouldn't burn out your clutch. As you're sitting in neutral, there will be no drag or force acting on the clutch plate so you're just be sittting there revving the nuts off your engine. Put it into gear, apply the handbrake, slip the clutch slightly, rev your engine, and yes you'll burn out the clutch. What you'll be doing is simulating your manoeuvre at the lights, and the end result will be the same eventually.

Without trying to be provocative and patronising, your driving style is the problem. The clutch should be either in or out, be used for changing gear, and not used as a substitute for the brakes. That's my opinion, and possibly worth exactly what you paid for it.

I've said enough in this thread, and I'll say no more lest I'm thought to be stirring and antagonistic.

 

[dlm2310]

Triple D is correct, sometimes it's just hard to accept you may wrong and then to accept advice.

Triple D has offered his opinion, he may well be correct but then again he has not seen the ****ing clutch !!!

I have had numerous problems with the car and you can't blame me for thinking this is another fault. I mentioned I used clutch control and then get castigated for wearing out the clutch, how the **** do you know I have worn it out and it is not a fault ?

BTW the reverse parking aid has packed in after 2 years and is getting replaced, maybe I should expect the dealer to tell me it is wear and tear as I have been reversing too much !!!!

We'll leave it there, as I said thanks for those who offered advice that's what I came on here for. Maybe some of you can drop me your contact details and I will get you lot to look at it next time !!