Clutch smell...

[mjheathcote]

Okay only had the car just over a week and 250 miles, but took her out today for a blast in the nice weather.
Have had no problem with gear changing very smooth and positive, but today I was faced with a nasty steep t junction with very sharp full lock turn. I approached it in first with no cars coming so proceeded without stopping but had to stop halfway round the turn to allow a car to pass coming the other way...the Maserati has quite a long nose. This therefore resulted in me stopping while in first for a moment...then continuing. All went okay but for the clutch smelling afterwards. Drove home okay, but then reversing into the garage I had the clutch smelling again.
Before purchase only 250 miles ago the clutch wear was at 66%, is the cambiocorsa gearbox clutch easily slipped under certain driving conditions such as above, or is my clutch out of adjustment?
Thanks
Mike

 

[urbanmaser]

Have you had a clutch test done to see how much clutch you have left?

It is not unusual to get a bit of clutch burning smell starting on a steep incline. Try not to edge forward for too long on a steep hill and do not leave the car in gear whilst at a stop and especially on a steep hill.

 

[Andyk]

Sorry miss read that at first..thought it said crutch.......

 

[mjheathcote]

Have you had a clutch test done to see how much clutch you have left?

It is not unusual to get a bit of clutch burning smell starting on a steep incline. Try not to edge forward for too long on a steep hill and do not leave the car in gear whilst at a stop and especially on a steep hill.

Yes 66% worn.

 

[conaero]

They do this if your indecisive with the gas pedal. Try and be more positive/agressive. If not then I would start planning for a new clutch. The 66% reading you have is not very accurate I am afraid.

 

[mjheathcote]

Now I am more familiar with the car, I can feel the clutch engaging in relation to throttle input from rest.
Parking is the problem I guess, small light movements aren't going to be good for clutch life.
I've always driven in manual mode, but why is auto mode said to be less good for the clutch? Once moving from standstill, what's the difference?

 

[mjheathcote]

Sorry miss read that at first..thought it said crutch.......

Not had that problem yet, must drive faster!

 

[Andyk]

Hahahaha....Thats the way.........

 

[conaero]

The auto mode tries to acheive a smooth and jerk free drive. It does this by being lazy with the clutch engagement and changing at higher revs than you would normall change. You should only use your car in manual Sport mode. This way you will have minimal slippage.

Hope this helps. Best way is to get out there and experiment and you will see what we mean.

Also being a 2002 car the is a slim chance you are running old software, take it to a dealer/indie and get it checked and upgraded if necessary.

 

[mjheathcote]

The auto mode tries to acheive a smooth and jerk free drive. It does this by being lazy with the clutch engagement and changing at higher revs than you would normall change. You should only use your car in manual Sport mode. This way you will have minimal slippage.

Hope this helps. Best way is to get out there and experiment and you will see what we mean.

Also being a 2002 car the is a slim chance you are running old software, take it to a dealer/indie and get it checked and upgraded if necessary.

I'm sure it is running the original software, it blips when dropping gears from speed, which I am sure I have read is lost on later software.
I like the way you can skip gears, didn't think it would be possible with the paddle gear change.

 

[conaero]

The GS does this get them to upgrade to that version. Not sure if it's possible but worth checking out.

 

[mjheathcote]

The GS does this get them to upgrade to that version. Not sure if it's possible but worth checking out.

I'm planning on taking the car to Millbrooke in the near future, having visited them a few times before purchase. They can upgrade the software, however they did say the very first 4200's need a later ECU to accept the upgrade. Don't know how early though, mine is Sept 02, when did they start selling the 4200?

 

[lozcb]

I'm planning on taking the car to Millbrooke in the near future, having visited them a few times before purchase. They can upgrade the software, however they did say the very first 4200's need a later ECU to accept the upgrade. Don't know how early though, mine is Sept 02, when did they start selling the 4200?

You shouldn't lose the blipping with the software upgrade only the hill hold feature, never heard that you need a later ecu to enable the software upgrade ...............who told you that , i have a 52plate 4200 and thats had all the software upgrades done


regards loz

 

[mjheathcote]

You shouldn't lose the blipping with the software upgrade only the hill hold feature, never heard that you need a later ecu to enable the software upgrade ...............who told you that , i have a 52plate 4200 and thats had all the software upgrades done


regards loz

Millbrooke when I called around before buying my car.

 

[lozcb]

Millbrooke when I called around before buying my car.

I'll give Andy a call and refer back , because to my knowledge thats not quite right ......but then i do love to be proved wrong



regards loz

 

[mjheathcote]

I'll give Andy a call and refer back , because to my knowledge thats not quite right ......but then i do love to be proved wrong



regards loz

I think it was Simon I talked to.
I'll find out more when I see them!

 

[chris4200GT]

What sort of cost is involved to check at a dealer if I have the latest software ? I have a 52 plate 4200 and Graypaul is my local dealer (Nottingham) and also (phew) am I likely to notice any difference with the car?

 

[mjheathcote]

What sort of cost is involved to check at a dealer if I have the latest software ? I have a 52 plate 4200 and Graypaul is my local dealer (Nottingham) and also (phew) am I likely to notice any difference with the car?

If you are based in Chesterfield, Millbrooke in Sheffield can update the software.
I haven't used them yet, only had my car a couple of weeks, but I called into them for a chat before purchase and they have all the gear.
Cheers
Mike

 

[Parisien]

Chris, in theory it should have been done at each opportunity it had been in for a service or work, but you should be able to check up.

P