Team-BHP - Burning smell in santro, suspect clutch

From about a week back, i am noticing slight burning smell in my car. It comes for few seconds when i stop at signal and then disappears.

I don't get this smell when all window glasses are closed.

I took it to service station and had the car serviced, the service guy says its because the clutch plate is worn off. He said i can still run the car for another couple of thousands of miles before replacing.

I know the clutch is worn out, as i get jerky pickup sometimes. But i want to be sure this burning smell is because of clutch, planning on going on a long trip this weekend, don't want to be standing in the middle of highway with a broken car.

Any advice? Anything else i need to check? NOTE: The car was serviced completely just 2 days back.

Car is Santro LS, ~80,000KM on the meter.

If you are going on a long trip please get the clutch attended, clutch slip can cause smell if the plate is at its last legs and slipping while running.

As you said you dont want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere, get it fixed.

80,000 kms is more than life squeezed out, if it is the factory fitted clutch. High time to change and earlier the better.

Edit: while at that, may i suggest a dekho on the timing belt too, if not changed since new?

Quote:

Originally Posted by suren181 (Post 1215433)

I have a 2003 model santro done 1.05 lakh kms & still the factory fitted clutch is fine.
Petrol car clutches give a good life if used properly. Ofcourse a novice driver will literally eat the clutch in a few thousand kms.

I have seen exactly the same problem in my Alto. It is a little over 3 months old and has done about 2500 kms. I get a strong burning smell but for a short time. At first I ignored it thinking something might be burning on the road or nearby. But after reading this post, it looks like some problem with my car.

Can a clutch create a problem so soon? My driving cannot be a problem even though I am new. I consciously use the clutch only while changing gears and while going slowly in a bumper to bumper traffic. Could it be that the clutch is defective?

thanks for the reply guys, i decided to have the clutch plates replaced. Lets hope the burning smell has disappeared. I will be taking delivery today evening.

It was not rear drums in my case, as couple of times i stopped the car and investigated all tyres. Smell was not coming from there.

Now since this topic is raised, i would like to ask the experts that my Santro Zip drive has done 1.3lakh kms with the stock clutch. She feels underpowered with 5 people on board climbing a uphill. So if i have to change the clutch, how much will it cost me. I am talking about a complete new clutch + with labour and et all. Authorised service centre pricing as well as a local mechanic pricing.

Thanks,
Niki

wait for blase and he can update you on exact numbers, approx 4-5k INR my guess.

Before jumping into conclusion your clutch is busted, get the engine health also checked, compression ratio, valve setting, throttle body cleaning, air filter/petrol filter etc. Also it might be that its time to do a manual decarb of engine head.

Dont go for the quick fix machine decarb, since it can do more harm than good to an engine that has run 1.3L.

With the windows rolled down at a signal, meaning minimum air flow, the driver passenger will get the burning smell of the immediate outside environment.
Therefore, even though everyone is guessing its the clutch, it could be the brake pads, or your engine belts, and many other components in the engine bay.
Kindly check before going after the clutch.

Overhauling the clutch of a Santro will cost about 4k and in case of a Alto it would be around 3 k including labour.

UM

Hello people,

Last weekend I had been to ooty and took the masinagudi route which is a very steep climb towards Ooty. We were 4 people on board and with some luggage. I have a Getz 1.1 and found it very difficult to pull even at 2nd gear. (I think that might be because i wasnt able to carry enough speed on to the turns) So i had to climb on 1st gear. The problem was that I got a strange rubber burning/melting smell a couple of times during the climb:( . But once we were on top the car behaved pretty well and It was pretty fine on the way back journey. My car has just done 2600 kms till now and I am planning another trip this weekend too. What may have caused it? Should I show it to the Hyundai guys? Please help!

regards,
Sunil

Dont worry too much, that would be your clutch overworking. Can happen sometimes under heavy load or if one accidentally slipped the clutch to help the engine gather the rpm.

Or it can be as simple as new parts, paints of the car emitting smell due to excessive heat from the engine bay. Long drive + climb.

As long as the car is performing well, dont bother too much.

As much as possible try to maintain momentum and lower gears, before approaching steep climbs in order to avoid any stalling, gear changes etc in the middle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggu (Post 1426279)

Thanks Jaggu Bhai,

I was actually bit worried. I guess this answers my worries. I hope the car behaves well because i have a travel plan of 2000 plus kms in the next 3 weeks.

regards,
Sunil

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunil.nv (Post 1426260)

Make sure that your handbrake (parking brake) is fully disengaged.

Cheers,