Clutch Burning Smell

[JonRobbo]

Hi

New to forum and would like some advice.

Last summer when reversing Caravan into pitch on site, the clutch started smoking.

With all the problems I have read about Dual Mass fly wheels I wonder if this may have significantly shortened the life of the clutch and flywheel.

I have towed since but carefull to avoid reverse, especially on inclines as this was how I cooked it in the first place. The only other time I have smelt the clutch burning was when reversing uphill in a service area area a 2oo mile motoway haul ( not towing).

I have had toyota look at it and they say nothing wrong ( still under warrantly 55 plate 2.0 D4D XTR with 27K on the clock.)

Are there any telltale signs I should look for.

Cheers

Jonrobbo

[T600]

Probably did a tiny bit of permanent damage to the clutch - that's what happens when the clutch slips. Hardly worth worrying about.

Can't see it having the slightest effect on the fly-wheel.

[anchorman]

As T600 says, don't worry too much about it - just try to avoid it in the future. Whether you are going forwards or backwards it will only get hot and smoke if you slip the clutch. The D4D is very torquey and it is possible to carefully engage the clutch fully at low revs and then proceed slowly in either direction without slipping the clutch. The trick is very careful use of the accelerator to keep those revs just above tickover. If you do have to slip the clutch to go very slowly, keep those revs as low as possible. You have to be good at reversing the caravan though!

Cheers

[JonRobbo]

As T600 says, don't worry too much about it - just try to avoid it in the future. Whether you are going forwards or backwards it will only get hot and smoke if you slip the clutch. The D4D is very torquey and it is possible to carefully engage the clutch fully at low revs and then proceed slowly in either direction without slipping the clutch. The trick is very careful use of the accelerator to keep those revs just above tickover. If you do have to slip the clutch to go very slowly, keep those revs as low as possible. You have to be good at reversing the caravan though!

Cheers

Thanks for the advice, will adjust my driving style when towing and hopefully avoid sliping the clutch.

PS maybe its the fact that I'm not that great at reversing the caravan and took several attempts that did it in the first place, may consider buying a caravan mover

Cheers

JonRobbo

[harrison2020]

could be slight damage would try and get a new clutch before the warranty runs out otherwise it will cost about 1000 pounds due to being 4wd and a pain in the ***** as i have done lots before being a toyota tech, try not to slip in future.................lol

[Hoovie]

Would a clutch be covered under warranty? I thought that would be classified as a wear & tear/consumable?

If it is covered, is it also covered under extended warranty and what is the usual life of a RAV4 Clutch (D4D and VVTi)?

[anchorman]

Thats what I was thinking Hoovie.

H2020 - How does he get a new clutch under warranty?

Oh and welcome to the club. ;)

[T600]

I've heard of clutches being done under warranty on other Toyotas but only when they've failed in some catastrophic way.

I'd say there's no chance of getting one changed under warranty just because it's a bit worn.