Clutch smell?

[450knotOffice]

My wife borrowed my 996 today and now it smells like overheated brakes. The brakes are not overheated but she did come clean and say that her heel got stuck while letting out the clutch in second or third gear and slipped the heck out of it. That's why I'm thinking she cooked the clutch.

The clutch feels normal but still smells. Will that smell go away or am I looking at a clutch that may be on its last legs?

[slodave]

I can add only this... I had a brand new clutch installed in my old Scirocco, I slipped it on a green light. The smell lasted a couple of days, a year later, I needed a new clutch. My Porsche, I thought the clutch was toast (age and use), but when it came off, looked like it had some life left. Seems like Sachs makes a good product (do they use that in the 996). Clutch may be ok, the smell will go away. Drive around with the windows open for the next day or two...

Dave

[Nine9six]

Oh, and P.S. Make sure the wife stays where she belongs...In the BMW.

[rdrr]

I slipped my clutch really bad recently at a drag strip (I know, I know, I should never have gone there) and I could smell it for about two months. I was paranoid for weeks, but it is holding up well. The smell will go away eventually!

[lally911]

It should be okay. I smoked my clutch a few times the first couple weeks I had the car. Five years and 35K miles later I finally changed the clutch and it was still well within spec.

[450knotOffice]

OK. That's a relief. I've driven cars with manual clutches for over twenty five years and this is the first time I've ever had one get so hot that it smelled. Thanks for the info guys.

[syncroid]

At least it won't look like this. Its probably going to be okay. I loaned my Syncro Vanagon to a customer some years back and it came back smelling like it had been at the drag strip all day. The smell went away after a week or so. He said he couldn't find first gear and was taking off in second.