Clutch smell

[ktdenali]

Subaru Legacy Outback 2000 Ltd.

5 speed, 140000 miles

 

We just got a huge dump of snow/cold where I live and so the roads are slick.

This is my second Subaru and I have never had a problem with them in winter. they handle slick roads awesome.

 

I noticed with this one in the summer when I was camping in the mountains that if I worked it just a little hard trying to back up (reverse) on slope on wet ground it was quick to send off the smell of burning clutch.

Again 5 months later I was trying to get our of the garage, and as soon I hit snow (1 foot of it) it stalled on my several times and again gave off some awful clutch smell.

 

My previous Subaru's clutch went out gradually, pretty much in one day, so I know the feel and smell of one going out.

 

This one only gives me this smell, when in situations of wheels spinning, and sometimes on a cold start it has a tendency to shake a little in 1st and 2nd gear. Until it warms up.

 

Is my clutch going out? How soon? Do they just go all of sudden or gradually.

As I said my previous one got burned a little in a one time getting stuck, and a few months later it just went on one day gradually.

 

The smell is gone and it drives fine on highways and at good speed. But it's gutless and starts to smell when stuck. Shakes a little on first start.

 

Anyone has any good advice. What's a new clutch cost for this model?

[Fairtax4me]

Is this the original clutch?

 

I've "smoked" the clutch in my 96 twice in the last year. (brand new in Jan.) I gambled on the cheapest clutch kit I could find and it hasn't turned out to be the best decision. Surprised?

 

It is VERY easy to get it hot to the point that it smokes, it chatters on damp mornings, and chatters really bad when it's hot. I'm actually kinda hoping it will wear out fast so I'll have an excuse to replace it with a better quality kit.

 

Anyway, a cheap clutch will do exactly what you describe, but so will a good one that is on it's way out.

[cagranitz]

I have a 2001 Outback with manual trans. I experienced the clutch burn smell twice last winter during a heavy snow storm. Both times I was starting on flat ground but in very deep snow. I stalled it once trying to get moving. But it just seemed like, given the 1st gear ratio, it can require a lot of torque to get things moving in a situation like this. I had to raise the rpm's higher than I normally would to start off, and that of course caused the burnt clutch smell. I think these may be situations where an automatic trans might be better since my understanding is that you get some torque multiplication from the converter.

[ktdenali]

I do not know if it's original or not. I bought it at 126000 miles and they did not have any maintenance record at all. Some things I have found in it, i.e. the thermostat was a cheap one. I have also noticed some other cheap NAPA parts that must have been added on regular maintenance schedule.

 

So who knows...

but it does sound like it's going out doesn't it.

[ktdenali]

I hate automatic transmission, but that's besides the point. You're probably right on the torque multiplication.

 

The funny things is, I never really experienced such as this with my '96 Subaru Legacy Wagon, which had a smaller engine (2.2) and less ground clearance. I burned the clutch out in that one when I got stuck in a huge snow drift.

 

This one seems to give me warning signs (smell and such) on flat ground deep snow... Strange! and also seems gutless at times.

[Fairtax4me]

Just plan on it not lasting much longer. Order an Exedy/Diakin clutch kit (oe suppliers) and keep it around for when you need it.

[ktdenali]

is it hard to do? I have never replaced a clutch? are there any special tricks mechanics know and novices miss?

[Fairtax4me]

Not hard at all really. Takes a few hours though, about a day the first time around.

 

If you have some basic tools, access to either an engine lift or a large jack, and a friend who's wiling to help you can do it yourself.

You can either lift the engine out, or drop the transmission to get access to the clutch. Either way is pretty straight-forward on these. Most people on the boards here, who do clutches regularly, pull the engine out, unless there is some other reason to remove the trans, such as to replace the input shaft seal.