Help with clutch. . . burning smell?

g_feb · Post by **g_feb** » 18 May 2011, 22:17

Hi guys,
Problem here is that when I drive my car (C5 2.0L HDI LX) after some time It smells as something is burning. My clutch also works almost halfway (works fine though). So what this can be? weak/burning clutch or something else?
If clutch, then how long it normally lasts after it starts smelling?
Finally, how much roughly will it cost me for the repair/ new clutch?

Thanks

miked · Post by **miked** » 18 May 2011, 22:42

g_feb wrote:It smells as something is burning. My clutch also works almost halfway (works fine though).
Thanks

Can you expand on your description above, it might help us understand the problem.

Post by **myglaren** » 18 May 2011, 22:44

Check for binding brakes - especially the front. Handbrake is known to stick on them.
Mind you don't burn your hands on the discs, they get very hot.

g_feb · Post by **g_feb** » 18 May 2011, 23:27

Thanks for the reply.
When I drive my car and try to push it a little bit, even to 50, I start feeling a burning smell from the car. It drives fine though. No prob at all. My clutch works fine but it is bit high in its position, that is why I was thinking about clutch as I have heard that clutch starts burning and smells when it goes weak.

what are binding brakes and how to check binding brakes (front , rear and hand brake)?

Thanks

wright · Post by **wright** » 18 May 2011, 23:53

binding brakes are when the brakes are stuck on a bit, see if your front wheels are hot when you stop driving don't touch them if they are binding they will be really hot, just put your hand near the wheel

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 19 May 2011, 22:05

A clutch should only smeel when its being heated up, so when the clutch is slipping. Some people who have th epoor habit of holding the bite at junctions often report this and wonder what it is

The brakes will smell of buring if they rub, I have had this on one of mine. The handbrake works on the front of the C5, the handbrake levers on the calipers stick and keep the handbrake on slightly. This does cause a wheel wobble at speed though, usually anyway.

If it is the clutch then it must be slipping in order for it to get hot and smell of burning. Is there a rise in revs when you aaccelerate without the car accelerating with the revs?

rabenson · Post by **rabenson** » 20 May 2011, 21:57

myglaren wrote:Check for binding brakes - especially the front. Handbrake is known to stick on them.
Mind you don't burn your hands on the discs, they get very hot.

I'm with myglaren on this one - does your handbrake have about an inch of slack when you start to pull it up?

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