Dodgy clutch

[Brennanpj]

Anyone advice on what they think this is .
Took the van out to Gloucester today , first trip in a long time . One hour journey each way . On the way there , exiting a round about I thought I had not found a gear as the engine revved up , checked myself and I could not get any gear . It was like the clutch would not engage . No nasty noises but clutch smelt strongly . The clutch felt like it was disengaging for a few mins as I was limping along !
then it went away. Bit concerned that it might be about to let me down . I spoke to a mechanic who thought it might be master cylinder?
On way home the van was driving fine as if nothing had happened.vans only done 43k but only done 4 k in 18 months due to lockdown .
Any one had similar or might know what’s going on .

 

[Gavinda]

Could be air in the hydraulic line to the clutch? Could have accumulated while the Van's been stood? If it was the clutch itself knackered I would expect the symptoms to be consistent, whats the mileage?

 

[DaveD]

Anyone advice on what they think this is .
Took the van out to Gloucester today , first trip in a long time . One hour journey each way . On the way there , exiting a round about I thought I had not found a gear as the engine revved up , checked myself and I could not get any gear . It was like the clutch would not engage . No nasty noises but clutch smelt strongly . The clutch felt like it was disengaging for a few mins as I was limping along !
then it went away. Bit concerned that it might be about to let me down . I spoke to a mechanic who thought it might be master cylinder?
On way home the van was driving fine as if nothing had happened.vans only done 43k but only done 4 k in 18 months due to lockdown .
Any one had similar or might know what’s going on .

Mixed messages there but the smell would suggest a slipping clutch, you don't mention a high bite point or anything else, you should check the level of brake fluid as the clutch hydraulics uses the brake fluid reservoir, top up if required, obviously, ideally from a new unopened container. If the level is low that indicates a leak somewhere which needs to be investigated.
I think you should get it professionally checked, speaking to a mechanic isn't enough, IMO.
The last thing you want is to get stranded somewhere with a knackered clutch.

 

[Brennanpj]

Could be air in the hydraulic line to the clutch? Could have accumulated while the Van's been stood? If it was the clutch itself knackered I would expect the symptoms to be consistent, whats the mileage?

clutch has been fine since , no slipping at all
43k miles on clock .
It didn’t even hint at slipping or a change in bite point .
Just completed failed to engage then stank like I’d burned the clutch out !

 

[Brennanpj]

Mixed messages there but the smell would suggest a slipping clutch, you don't mention a high bite point or anything else, you should check the level of brake fluid as the clutch hydraulics uses the brake fluid reservoir, top up if required, obviously, ideally from a new unopened container. If the level is low that indicates a leak somewhere which needs to be investigated.
I think you should get it professionally checked, speaking to a mechanic isn't enough, IMO.
The last thing you want is to get stranded somewhere with a knackered clutch.

Thanks , I will check the brake fluid , no signs of any leaks underneath or on the drive .the clutch didn’t slip at all , before or after . It just didn’t engage and must of been burning up as I was doing 40ish mph when it happened.hence the smell.
Very odd , should take it In to be checked . But it might not show any sign of a fault , certainly can’t tell from driving it now .

 

[Gavinda]

Sticky release bearing from being sat could be another theory? But if its worked fine since I would be happy to put it down to an anomaly caused by lack of use and leave it at that, if you take it in I doubt they'll be able to shed any light.

 

[DaveD]

It's just difficult to reconcile the smell of burning clutch with the idea that the clutch wasn't slipping.
Either way if it drives OK now and the brake fluid level is OK you could just monitor the situation.

 

[The Bear78]

I would be surprised if any issues regarding master cylinders or fluid leaks would manifest themsleves as being unable to engage the clutch, quite the opposite. I suppose the master cylinder piston could jam but that would almost certainly result in blown seals and it wouldn't go back to normal.
I think for it to stick in a disengaged state would need something to mechanically bind in the release mechanism as @Gavinda mentioned above. It probably just needed a few cycles to free up. Hopefully...

 

[Brennanpj]

Update , clutch stinks every time I drive now ,
Going into the garage later this week . Likely new clutch & flywheel on the cards

 

[nimrod]

Update , clutch stinks every time I drive now ,
Going into the garage later this week . Likely new clutch & flywheel on the cards

how did you get on with this, my 2018 has 20000 on the clock drives brilliantly, but twice now I have had a clutch burning smell. the first time was at the ABR festival, it was a long tow 120ish miles, but when I went onto the site and was in a queue on the gravel I commented that some of the bikes going past had badly burning clutch, to my horror it was mine, stank really strong, left for a few days and been fine ever since, last week again on grass field site, bumpy and on a hill, I deliberately didn't reverse the van up the slope, fairly sure I didn't slip the clutch and a very slight smell this time.. I do feel 20000 is very low milage for clutch to be wearing out.

 

[Brennanpj]

how did you get on with this, my 2018 has 20000 on the clock drives brilliantly, but twice now I have had a clutch burning smell. the first time was at the ABR festival, it was a long tow 120ish miles, but when I went onto the site and was in a queue on the gravel I commented that some of the bikes going past had badly burning clutch, to my horror it was mine, stank really strong, left for a few days and been fine ever since, last week again on grass field site, bumpy and on a hill, I deliberately didn't reverse the van up the slope, fairly sure I didn't slip the clutch and a very slight smell this time.. I do feel 20000 is very low milage for clutch to be wearing out.

My clutch was gone needed replacement, worn enough that it was not reingaging properly apparently.40k on the clock, apparently it’s not to uncommon on them and the specialist who did mine had one the week before that had less miles .
1st clutch I’ve had to replace in my life so confident it’s not my driving !