TamiyaGuy

Yes, strange though that may sound. I had a new clutch and flywheel installed a few days ago at the dealership and I notice a clutch odor when accelerate up a freeway on-ramp.

Driving on flat roads produces no smells. I cannot detect any slippage either by feel or by tach, so I assume it's subtle.

While I'm bringing it back on Monday to have them look at it, I'm curious as to opinions. What went wrong? It should be a fairly straightforward job...

Thanks,
Peter

TrackJunke

I had an A4 that I replaced the clutch in it and it needed to be broken in for about 500 miles. If you went full throttle on the highway right after you put it in it would slip. This was also a carbon kevlar disc so I am not sure how it compares to a stock clutch.

TamiyaGuy

Well, it's true that it's only been 100 miles since the unit was installed. However, I've never seen this before. And today, it appears the situation is worse, the smell is evident during acceleration on flat roads.

FlyYellow

please do keep us informed on this one. i agree w/ trackjunke - i suspect you just need to break it in well and seat everything correctly. i also wouldn't make a point of trying to burn it but rather give it 500 miles or so....

cheers,
boris

Terry Adams

Same thing happened to me for the first few hundred miles on a new clutch at 75K miles. I was almost ready to take it back. I never heard of a clutch breakin period, but you track hounds are right.

rcwelch

WOW! I've driven a lot of miles on replaced clutch discs in other brands of cars and I have never heard of a break in period...is it just porsche or is something wrong like the throw-out bearing being adjusted too tight.

poorb0yw

I've always heard of a break in of approx 500 miles like stated before except for with carbon/carbon clutches. Porsche or otherwise.

TamiyaGuy

I'm not sure what the scoop is to be honest. I've had a clutch done on a '89 944 Turbo before and the clutch was fine right from the get-go. And an older 83 911 from years past gave me no grief after a new clutch. However, the replacement is pretty straightforward, I can't imagine what could cause it to slip.

I'm going to buzz the freeways a bit tomorrow morning and see how it is. I'm scheduled to drop the car off Monday morning for them. If things don't improve tomorrow morning, I'm taking it back in and let them figure it out.

I'll keep everyone posted. I did a search on the forum and didn't come across an incident of a similar problem.

Thanks,
Peter

JERS911

Peter, just out of curiosity, what did the dealer charge you fro the new clutch installed? I have a 95 C2 with 65,000 miles and my dealer wants $4,500. Seems a little outrageous!

Thanks

Jerry

911

Jerry,

$4,500 for a clutch?!?! Run Forrest, Run!!!

Sachin Misra

Should be no more than $2800!

Jeff 993TT

Probably more like $2000 if you get the parts from viperbob and have an independant do it.

Mike J

I remember in the shop manual it says something about the wear on the disc is not linear...i.e. the first few millimeters are worn off faster than the rest. Maybe the smell is those first few millimeters? I have never heard of any other car doing that though....its pretty strange!

L23FPorsche

I changed mine and it was strong right out of the gate. There was a slight clutch smell the first few miles and then that was over. Check your airfilter. The clutch package vents directly to the filter and anything but a little clutch dust would be too much. If the filter's black take it back! It does sound from your explanation that there is a problem. A new clutch should not slip when charging an offramp or slight hill. You do not mention whether the dealer also changed the Pressure Plate. Certainly should have been changed out with the disk and flywheel?

TamiyaGuy

Jers911,

The total charge was $3500.00 for clutch & flywheel plus a seal that was leaking. I phoned around and independant shops were cheaper by about $500.00 or more. But I've been going to this dealer since I got the car and I've had no complaints really.

I'm hoping it's just a break-in period, but it's odd. I'm heading out in about 30 minutes and take a few long runs on the freeways around here. See if it's getting better.

THanks,
Peter