Burning Smoking Clutch

[blackchim]

Just been on a lomg run on the A2/M20 and had to use a couple of congested slip roads & fly overs, in out on the clutch 8 or 9 times. On the first occasion started to get a tiny bit of smoke out of the top edge of the bonnet and the usual smell, then just the smell - not too bad on the other occasions, no other gear change issues etc.

Is this likely to be low fluid in the reservoir, or bad news?

[haircutmike]

What do you mean by "in out on the clutch 8 or 9 times"?

[blackchim]

Crawling forwards in traffic on an incline using hanbrake, but not slipping the clutch anymore than necessary.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

"The usual smell"???

I've been stuck in traffic jams involving far more than 8 or 9 clutch in/out cycles. I've never smelt anything untoward, and certainly never seen smoke.

So I'd say there's definitely a problem. Perhaps your clutch is badly worn? Whereabouts in the pedal's travel does the clutch actually bite? If it's near the top then this often indicates a worn clutch.

[blackchim]

In the middle!