FYI: I already searched and found some related info, but nothing really what I was looking for.

My hatch has a stock d16z6 engine/tranny in it that was overhauled about 1 year ago. The motor has about 140k on it, so I had a heavy tune-up done to it. The tranny also has a new clutch with probably less than 10k on it. I was away at school this past year, so the car did not get driven much (probably once every 3 weeks). I am now home for the summer and drive the car every day quite a bit. Also, oil has been recently changed (always using Mobil 1) and tranny fluid was recently changed to GM Synchromesh. There's the background, here's the problem:

A few weeks ago I started noticing a very slight burning clutch smell coming from the car. It never did this before, only does it now. I don't think it's due to bad driving. I'm good at driving manual...quick shifts, tranny has never grinded any gear, and the Synchromesh makes it shift like freakin' butter. However, this burning clutch smell usually starts happening after the car is at full operating temp. and shifting normally between gears. I do not drive the car hard ever when just driving around town, but there's always a lingering clutch smell after shifting when the engine's hot (especially going thru 3rd/4th/5th gears). It's not an overwhelming smell, but it's there, and it worries me. I am worried maybe my tranny has a fluid leak, and this lack of fluid is causing more friction, etc. There are NO spots under my car when I start it every morning, though. Also, I realize tranny fluid/clutch smell may not be related directly. Finally, I don't think the clutch pedal needs to be adjusted because this only started happening very recently and I hadn't altered the car b4 this started. PLEASE HELP!!!

Anyone have this problem? Why does my car smell like clutch when just driving grandma-style around town every day. Oh, and the smell usually lasts about 5 seconds and goes away if I stay in one gear while cruising. THANKS FOR THE HELP, and sorry this was so long

 

i think its the rear main seal going out and thats why u are starting to smell the clutch

 

Ughhhh...I was afraid someone would bring the rear main seal into the picture. What a bitch to change and fortune to spend having it done otherwise Anyone else have a similar problem...any other ideas?

 

yup that's what i was gonna saw...seal leaking, cost only 5$ and about 2 hours work or 1 if your good/lucky....take it as a time to inspect your brakes and control arms and suspension components etc heheh...ooooooorRRR...your clutch is really done?

 

1-2 hours for a rear main seal. Are you crazy? I know of nobody that can remove the trannny, clutch, flywheel, and then replace the rear main seal, then put the whole thing back together in less that 2 hours. I think you need to learn what a rear main seal is.

 

 

Haha, owned. Yeah, it's looking more and more like the rear main seal I'm gonna bring it in to my mechanic next week for his thoughts then if he thinks the same I'll fix it myself. It sounds like a pain in the *** to do, and I'd love to pay him to do it, but that won't get me any knowledge and it'll just drain my pockets $$

Any tips from anyone who's done this to someone who will prolly be attempting this for the first time? thanks.