V8 4.7 clutch concern

[Parna]

Hi I'm new to the forum,
I bought a 4.7 Vantage recently with very low miles, love the car, but I have to say this car has the worst clutch action of any sports car I have owned.
I find it some times gives a bump on release, or it sometimes gives off a burning smell on low speed maneuvering, especially when reversing.
There seems to be some transmission slack at low speeds , and the change up to second gear sometime catches the sinchro out a bit.
Anyone's comment on this would be welcome, I am thinking of putting the car into Bamford Rose for a twin plate clutch upgrade, is this a good upgrade, do the issues mentioned above seem familiar to any owners of the V8 manual.
I have raised this issue with my local Aston service centre, but they thought the car was OK, ! ! I love the car, but this problem needs to be resolved any assistance will be great.

[Jon39]

Parna said:

Hi I'm new to the forum,
I bought a 4.7 Vantage recently with very low miles, love the car, but I have to say this car has the worst clutch action of any sports car I have owned.
I find it some times gives a bump on release, or it sometimes gives off a burning smell on low speed maneuvering, especially when reversing.
There seems to be some transmission slack at low speeds , and the change up to second gear sometime catches the sinchro out a bit.
Anyone's comment on this would be welcome, I am thinking of putting the car into Bamford Rose for a twin plate clutch upgrade, is this a good upgrade, do the issues mentioned above seem familiar to any owners of the V8 manual.
I have raised this issue with my local Aston service centre, but they thought the car was OK, ! ! I love the car, but this problem needs to be resolved any assistance will be great.

Welcome to this forum. We like to see photographs of new member's cars. Please post.

Re. your queries.
With my own 4.7, I initially found the clutch action took a little while to get used to. There was far too much engine stalling by me.
I think one point is that there is a large amount of power being handled by the clutch, so the action is slightly on the `beefy' side.
I always go a few hundred yards in first gear when the gearbox is cold, and then do a slow change to second gear. 1st to 2nd should always be smooth, when the gearbox is hot.
Slipping the clutch too much will produce a burning smell, particularly when in reverse. I try to avoid too much maneuvering, involving clutch slipping (clutch replacement is a big job.

[robgt]

Don't know how old your car is but when our S had only done about 2000 miles we experienced similar problems. Reversing led to a clutch overheat light coming on. Take it to Bamford Rose, their twin plate clutch and lightened flywheel will banish all your problems.

Edited by robgt on Saturday 31st May 21:11

[Parna]

Jon39 said:

Welcome to this forum. We like to see photographs of new member's cars. Please post.

Re. your queries.
With my own 4.7, I initially found the clutch action took a little while to get used to. There was far too much engine stalling by me.
I think one point is that there is a large amount of power being handled by the clutch, so the action is slightly on the `beefy' side.
I always go a few hundred yards in first gear when the gearbox is cold, and then do a slow change to second gear. 1st to 2nd should always be smooth, when the gearbox is hot.
Slipping the clutch too much will produce a burning smell, particularly when in reverse. I try to avoid too much maneuvering, involving clutch slipping (clutch replacement is a big job.

Thanks Jon,
I'll definitely post a few photos, I'll try your suggestions and see how things go.

[V12woollie]

The OP sounds like he has a manual and yours is an ASM2 so your solution may not be relevant.

You have however reached your quota of BR references this year

[Parna]

robgt said:

Don't know how old your car is but when S had only done about 2000 miles we experienced similar problems. Reversing led to a clutch overheat light coming on. Take it to Bamford Rose, their twin plate clutch and lightened flywheel will banish all your problems.

Thanks mate,
Obviously you have had the BR upgrade on your S , sounds like the way forward, thanks again

[Parna]

V12woollie said:

The OP sounds like he has a manual and yours is an ASM2 so your solution may not be relevant.

You have however reached your quota of BR references this year

My car is a manual, thanks for feed back

[Parna]

robgt said:

Don't know how old your car is but when S had only done about 2000 miles we experienced similar problems. Reversing led to a clutch overheat light coming on. Take it to Bamford Rose, their twin plate clutch and lightened flywheel will banish all your problems.

My car is 12 months old 6-speed manual..

[V12woollie]

Parna said:

My car is a manual, thanks for feed back

A low speed burning smell is par for the course, especially in reverse which is the equivalent of second gear so sometimes requires slipping the clutch.

First to second is often not a smooth change but once the box is warmed up it should be fairly smooth. If you don't think it feels right then go back to the dealer or get an independent to look at it. It shouldn't feel like there are synchro issues.

[Parna]

V12woollie said:

A low speed burning smell is par for the course, especially in reverse which is the equivalent of second gear so sometimes requires slipping the clutch.

First to second is often not a smooth change but once the box is warmed up it should be fairly smooth. If you don't think it feels right then go back to the dealer or get an independent to look at it. It shouldn't feel like there are synchro issues.

Thanks for that, it doesn't occur all the time but it is a recurring issue unless you really take time over gear changes, I think it's a good idea to have an independent look at it, car has only just turned 3000 miles!

[mikey k]

Parna said:

I find it some times gives a bump on release, or it sometimes gives off a burning smell on low speed maneuvering, especially when reversing.
Anyone's comment on this would be welcome, I am thinking of putting the car into Bamford Rose for a twin plate clutch upgrade, is this a good upgrade, do the issues mentioned above seem familiar to any owners of the V8 manual.

Part of the issue is the high reverse ratio (closer to 2nd)
The BR upgrade is worth while

[V12woollie]

mikey k said:

Part of the issue is the high reverse ratio (closer to 2nd)
The BR upgrade is worth while

Isn't the BR upgrade the clutch and flywheel? It doesn't change the reverse gear ratio or the fact that you're in danger of hitting 50mph in reverse if you don't feather the clutch. Does the twin plate clutch handle reverse gear better in terms of feathering the clutch?

[montecristo]

I have a manual V8V and live in London, so I reverse every time I park. I haven't noticed any clutch issues or any over-sensitivity.

Yes, changing gears is a bit clunky from cold, but that soon passes.

[V8V Pete]

mikey k said:

Part of the issue is the high reverse ratio (closer to 2nd)

I've often wondered why the reverse gear ratio is so high. Can't see that there is anything to be gained (other than winning reverse drag races which I don't tend to do). Anyone got a good explanation?

[BravoV8V]

V8V Pete said:

I've often wondered why the reverse gear ratio is so high. Can't see that there is anything to be gained (other than winning reverse drag races which I don't tend to do). Anyone got a good explanation?

Due to the limited size of the gearbox/transaxle casing, apparently.

[mikey k]

Yep that was my understanding
Bizarrely it is closer to first (ie better) in ASM2 which also gains another forward gear all in a similar casing!

[Parna]

I would like to hear from more people who have had the Bamford Rose clutch upgrade, how did this improve the car .
Thanks for all assistance

[Parna]

V8V Pete said:

I've often wondered why the reverse gear ratio is so high. Can't see that there is anything to be gained (other than winning reverse drag races which I don't tend to do). Anyone got a good explanation?

Gear change definitely improves somewhat when the mechanicals are warmed up..

[Parna]

mikey k said:

Part of the issue is the high reverse ratio (closer to 2nd)
The BR upgrade is worth while

That makes a lot of sense, probably why I tend to stall the car too easily!

[Parna]

montecristo said:

I have a manual V8V and live in London, so I reverse every time I park. I haven't noticed any clutch issues or any over-sensitivity.

Yes, changing gears is a bit clunky from cold, but that soon passes.

Sounds like the old story, you either get a good un or a bad un!