V8 Vantage 4.7 manual clutch burning smell

[Biggsjo]

I have a 2011 4.7 Vantage which I purchased last year (September) I bought this car from the same Indie dealership I had bought my previous 4.3 from and they are a superb dealership, so I am not complaining about them here😊.

The car had had a new clutch fitted before I purchased it. Shortly after I had driven it for a couple of weeks I noticed a strong burning smell when I slipped the clutch slightly (not madly slipping for Racing starts) I took it back to the dealer who said they could find nothing wrong and that this was a relatively common issue. There is no clutch slip under normal driving conditions.

I drove to Wales the weekend for the Concours and noticed it again on several occasions particularly as I was waiting at the toll booths, just feathering the clutch as I approached.

My 4.3 didn't do this, so before I contact the dealer again this week I wondered if anyone had any ideas.😱

[HBradley]

John, do you do regular 'Clutch Learns'? if not try this: With the car in neutral & the aircon off, press the brake & start the car; keep pressing the brake until you hear an audible metallic click (approx. 10-20 secs). Repeat 3-4 times. Some people do it every time they use the car, but once a month should be fine.
This procedure adjusts the clutch for wear.
If this fails get in touch with Mike at Bamford Rose or another indy who'll give you more technical information than I can.

[AMDBSVNick]

HBradley said:

John, do you do regular 'Clutch Learns'? if not try this: With the car in neutral & the aircon off, press the brake & start the car; keep pressing the brake until you hear an audible metallic click (approx. 10-20 secs). Repeat 3-4 times. Some people do it every time they use the car, but once a month should be fine.
This procedure adjusts the clutch for wear.
If this fails get in touch with Mike at Bamford Rose or another indy who'll give you more technical information than I can.

[HBradley]

AMDBSVNick said:

Thought it works for both? If not option 2 applies & I'll

[Biggsjo]

HBradley said:

John, do you do regular 'Clutch Learns'? if not try this: With the car in neutral & the aircon off, press the brake & start the car; keep pressing the brake until you hear an audible metallic click (approx. 10-20 secs). Repeat 3-4 times. Some people do it every time they use the car, but once a month should be fine.
This procedure adjusts the clutch for wear.
If this fails get in touch with Mike at Bamford Rose or another indy who'll give you more technical information than I can.

Hi, thanks for the reply, I thought " clutch learn" was only for the sports shift and not the manual.

[HBradley]

Biggsjo said:

Hi, thanks for the reply, I thought " clutch learn" was only for the sports shift and not the manual.

Sorry John, see above! I'd still have a word with an indy expert!

[Jon39]

Is your car a manual or Sportshift, John?
I can only speak about experience with a 4.7 manual.

Following delivery there was a strong smell of clutch for about a week.
I now realise that the cause of that, must have been someone at the dealer driving the car in an 'enthusiastic' manner.

After that, I did sometimes notice the clutch smell, but usually when I had been reversing, or after driving with quick high rpm gear changes. I am now better at judging the minimum revs needed to avoid a stall, so have not had any clutch smell for a long time. It would seem therefore, that with care there should not be a smell, but unless you were slipping excessively in the traffic jam, perhaps something is not right.

[Johnny42]

My 4.7 manual does this, depending on how it's driven. I didn't know what burning clutch smelled like until I bought an Aston, so I'm certain it's not me! Reversing is worse as the gearing is higher than first. Reversing up an incline is a killer. When in stop-start traffic, the technique is to get the car moving then disengage the clutch and coast for a bit, then engage momentarily and coast again. Only slip it for as briefly as possible. In some situations it's impossible not to burn the clutch, slow traffic up inclines for example.
Aston should be fitting the dual plate clutch from the V12 to the V8, clearly the clutch is not fit for purpose.
I smell mine a lot less now than when the car was new. Either because I'm better at not burning it, but also it's likely to not develop hot spots so easily once it's run in. You mentioned the clutch is new, so may need bedding in a bit.

[cayman-black]

Reversing up a slight hill in my V12 is a definite no no !

[Biggsjo]

Thanks for all the replies, it seems that my Vantage is not unique in this problem. I never had this issue with my 4.3 Vantage hence my concern. I have done over a 1000 miles since the clutch was new and I would have thought it was bedded in by now.