Golf R Clutch Smell

[Scuby_snax84]

Hi All,

My clutch has started to smell burnt every time I drive my car. Initially it was a strong smell but it seems to be not as bad as it was. There is no slip in the clutch what so ever. I am wondering if this can be caused by a failing a clutch or someone abusing my clutch.

I took the car to a car wash on Saturday a week and a half ago, went into the shops, came back out and drove home. When I parked it in the garage when I got home was the first of several instances I smelled it. Made me wonder if the guys at the wash might have had a bit of fun in my car.

Car is 2010 Golf R 6MT 30000km Stage 2+ (200awkw)

I would have thought if the clutch was on the way out it would be slipping, but Ive tried loading it up in 6th gear at 2500rpm and no slip.


Basically what im asking is... Am I up for a new clutch already?

If I am what are peoples thoughts on the Clutch Masters Kits? Specifically the FX350.

Cheers
Brenton

[Lucas_R]

The sheer lack of manual R's and GTI's on here will make it hard for you to get an answer i'd say. The stench from an abused or slipping clutch is very distinguishable as you no doubt are aware of, so hard to confuse it with anything else. Weird that you say that it doesn't appear to be slipping, although you can smell it.

Unless, like you say, the car wash boys tried to do a fully hektic AWD burnout in it (and this is the reason why i never leave my car with just "anybody") and burnt the clutch out, then the smell is just oozing out over the next few drives. There is a small hole in the bottom of the transfer case where you could try to have a look inside at the clutch - or at least a smell. Perhaps blow it out with some compressed air and see if the smell goes away?

I actually slipped my clutch quite badly a few months ago (totally my fault ) trying to do a fast launch and the smell was very apparent in the cabin a few seconds after. The smell actually lingered for a few days too.

Lots of guys in the USA with R's have had to replace their clutches already, although im sure the manner in which the car is driven will have some affect on how long the clutch will last.

If you do have to replace the clutch, id recommend getting one of the kits that allows you to keep your DMF (dual mass flywheel) and simply upgrades the clutch component for increased torque - something like this: SACHS Stage 1 Performance uprated clutch kit 2.0 TFSI / TSI | VI R 2.0T-FSI 199 kW (270 PS) | Golf | VW | LOBA Motorsport GmbH

Otherwise your other options are stage 2 or stage 3 clutch upgrade kits which all upgrade the flywheel to a SMF (single mass flywheel). Mind you, all of these kits which replace the flywheel with a SMF unit are noisy.

[AAP01]

My car had the same at 30000. Its now at 45000 and beginning to slip at high revs. I've been thinking of replacing it but not sure what to put in.

[Tarmac]

My experience with clutches.

Clutch masters. Chatter. Can have issues bedding them in. Especially the kevlar clutches. 2 clients had them, not any more.
Sachs. Seem ok. Not many options.
Southbend DXD. Been proven for a long time in the states. Use to chatter, have since released a silent design. Options galore. This is why i sell them. Also priced well and on the shelf, worst case is a 1 week lead time. More info here

[Scuby_snax84]

Thanks for all the replies. At this stage I think ill keep driving it and just see what happens. If I start getting slip I'll most probably be in contact with you Ben. Anyone know a rough cost for the labour side of a clutch upgrade?

[Tarmac]

Thanks for all the replies. At this stage I think ill keep driving it and just see what happens. If I start getting slip I'll most probably be in contact with you Ben. Anyone know a rough cost for the labour side of a clutch upgrade?

I can let you know today. I supplied a Stage 2 daily for a Golf R that is been installed at BPS Autos today.

[sillywet]

Hi guys

A friend from work with a 2012 GTI (manual obviously) was smelling the clutch burning when he was driving up hills in higher gears. He took it in to Norris and after some inspections they told him the clutch was buggered. You can't get much past them! Anyway, they had the thing for 2 weeks and I dropped him out there this morning to pick it up and they've replaced not only the clutch but the flywheel as well! Including labour it was a $3500 job!! This bloke is 40+ and drives very sedately. Not saying he or his wife don't possibly ride-it a bit (I can't say either way) but definitely not ripping the thing off the line, nor driving it anywhere near as hard as I drive mine.

Luckily I was there with him and had a look at the parts they replaced. The flywheel looked good as new! It wouldn't have even needed to be machined back. I guess it could be out of balance and you wouldn't know that just by looking at it (given it's dual mass, but they were blaming heat-spots which I can tell you were not there). Even the clutch plate had some life left in it. When I told them we'd keep the parts (cause I intend to take this up with a higher VW authority) they said they couldn't give it to us as they need to send it back to Germany!

Anyway, quite a useless story given the the purpose of this thread, but thought i'd at least share the cost of an OEM replacement for a GTI.

Probably all I can suggest from this experience is if you have an issue with the clutch, don't expect VW to take any responsibility even if, like my mate, you can swear black and blue that you haven't driven it poorly, and also make sure you don't get a VW service centre to do the work for you cause god knows what part they'll decide needs to be replaced unnecessarily.

Off-topic question for Tarmac - were you heading up Mt Glorious at about 10 30am on Sunday just gone? Saw a grey R heading up as I was coming down and it did not sound standard! What a good day to have 4WD!

[pansy]

Hi Brenton,
I've had the clutch replaced in my 09 S3 with a sachs clutch and SMF and the noise is honestly unnoticeable when driving and even at the lights. I was expecting some pretty heinous chatter from all the stuff i've read on forums but was quite surprised. As to the clutch being buggered, mine survived about 10000-15000kms at the same state of tune as yours before giving up. It happened pretty quickly and I hadn't launched it hard at all, just in gear load lunched it over time and once it slipped the first time, just happened more and more.

Good luck with it mate, also, start training with the leg weights as the HD clutches are quite a bit heavier than stock.

Jared

[eddi3]

is the clutch/friction point any different?

[BLKMKV]

i have the stage 3 southbend daily clutch it my gti and its pretty noisy, i thought the thrust bearing was stuffed when i first heard it. doesnt slip though anytime, with stage 3 power...