exodusx187

it started off as a burning smell until one afternoon on the way home from work when i stopped by the store and noticed a small amount of white smoke coming up by the firewall. a couple of nights later it happened again when i let a buddy drive my car to the club one night. took him a couple tries to get a feel for the clutch but when we got there the same white smoke appeared again. now whenever im in heavy traffic i'll smell that burning smell again. does this sound like the clutch is on its last thread? max has 145k miles. TIA

knight_yyz

iTrader: (40)

is it slipping?

Augustus Maximus

iTrader: (6)

It happened to me, then shortly after that the clutch just quit...dead, no go, zap. Around the same mileage as yours too. Is your clutch high...meaning do you have to let off the clutch pedal all the way to make it engage, if so get it fixed.

exodusx187

clutch isn't slipping and it's not too high...although i have to literally press it all the way to the floor to start the car.

travis01

sound like you burnt the clutch. best bet is to get it checked out n probably replaced before it completely gives out on you!

Unklejoe

iTrader: (6)

If the smoke smells kind of like burnt hair or burnt electronics, than it is most likely the clutch.

Try cruising on the highway in 4th gear at steady speed and floor it. If the RPM's jump up real quick, but the car does not accelerate, the clutch is slipping.

You may also try to dump the clutch with your foot on the brake. The engine should stall out immediately.

exodusx187

thats exactly what it smells like. Replacing the clutch is now on my to-do list. just got a quote from autozone for $129...sound like an ok deal or should i go oem?

Unklejoe

iTrader: (6)

Eh, that $129 is definitely not the installed price.

If I were you, I would either get the Exedy NSK1002 OEM Replacement clutch kit and re-use the OEM flywheel......OR

Get a 350z clutch and a Fidanza flywheel. (You must use the Maxima throw out bearing).

The Exedy OEM replacement will be substantially cheaper if you re-use the OEM dual mass flywheel.

tailz

put the car in 5th and try to take off if it dies instantly clutch is okay if its starts to move then change your clutch.