Hi everyone,

So I have an R56 S manual that was recently taken to MINI to get the cold start issue rectified. Following this, I started to smell burning plastic coming from the hood. At first I thought it was the new parts breaking in but then i noticed that I smelt it only while I was changing gears. Then I started to feel the clutch getting softer (maybe i'm getting used to it i don't no). Also when I'm changing gears or putting it in first i hear this clicking noise (dont no if this is related). I'm not new to driving manuals (i've been driving them ever since ive received my license). I took it to the shop regarding the smell, and they told me that it's most likely nothing. I know I might be overreacting and stuff but better late than sorry. BTW the clutch isn't slipping!!!

 

If ain't slipping then don't worry about. If starts get a new one and go aftermarket with a light weight flywheel.

 

what kinda smell do you get when shifting... I noticed sometimes when I shift, in the higher regions of revs, I get a interior smell of dead fish... like a bad Cat... Although I usually blames it on the car infront of me.

Never worried to much about it because its pretty rare now days

 

Dead animal smell is a classic sign of burnt clutch.

 

but my car is is not even over the 8k yet.... and beside it only comes when releasing the clutch and not engaging it

 

For some reason every once in awhile New cars burn out clutches pretty quickly. But it isn't slipping you should be ok but make sure you aren't dragging the engagement out because that will definately burn it out pretty fast. Maybe it might be something between the shifter and the shifter linkage that might be loose and it is hit hot metal and smoking a little bit.

 

well the issue haven't happened since my good long 600 mile trip... But its not slipping or anything.

But its worthy to note this town do have some stinking cats >.<

 

No i'm really fast at shifting gears and I pop it in neutral by rev matching. I'm really careful with the clutch. I took it to the mechanic and he saw/smelt nothing. It's probably due to the hot weather that Greece has been having lately. Like I said earlier, this isnt my first manual car. It has almost 30000km. On my older car, I had done 140000km without changing the clutch (VW estimates that the clutch should be changed every 70000km).

 

it's probably nothing, I heard the Throwout bearing could also produce that smell but honestly since my smell has gone, I guess it was just breaking in and some bad cats around me :P

I live in texas at it's about 35 degrees Celsius here

 

Just got that stupid smell... My clutch slipped pretty badly in 5th (3000-5000 rpm). Is it possible that the clutch simply needs adjusting?

 

I dont think those clutches can be adjusted, and they do have a long history of issues. If it's slipping in higher gears then it's only a matter of time.