Beater Boxster clutch diagnosis...??

[Jamesp]

Year and transmission type is usually helpful. You said the car was smoking. Could you smell the smoke? A burning clutch usually fills the cabin with acrid smoke that tends to stick with you awhile. Did your brakes get spongy (thinking clutch slave cylinder leak here). I've been through a few clutches and they warned me by slipping a bit in higher gears (second gear a favorite) under load and then catching again as the load was reduced.

[Cebu]

Jamesp,

My car is a 2002 Base model Boxster, 5 speed manual. I could see the smoke coming from side vents after I stopped. You're right the car still has the odor of something burnt. This was a couple hours ago.

I didn't notice the brakes getting spongy during the event but I can check now if that makes any sense?

Should I start the engine and see if the brakes feels differently?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by Jamesp

Year and transmission type is usually helpful. You said the car was smoking. Could you smell the smoke? A burning clutch usually fills the cabin with acrid smoke that tends to stick with you awhile. Did your brakes get spongy (thinking clutch slave cylinder leak here). I've been through a few clutches and they warned me by slipping a bit in higher gears (second gear a favorite) under load and then catching again as the load was reduced.

[Jamesp]

Spongy brakes *could* mean that the clutch slave cylinder (which is part of the brake hydraulic circuit) is spraying hydraulic fluid onto the clutch / flywheel assembly. This is a bit of a stretch, but entirely possible with the sudden onset of smoking. If the engine was running normally, and the smoke was coming out of the side vents (not any out of the exhaust!), then starting would be ok, but not the course I would choose first. The only data I could imagine by starting that would be gained is a coolant leak and steam. If you smell burnt, and not sweet (like maple syrup) then a coolant leak is out. Look under the car where the engine and transaxle meet (just in front of the bell housing by the back of the engine) is there a drip of fluid there? If so soak it up with a paper towel. What color is it?, clearish with a few black specks would indicate brake fluid. Uniform dark brown or black is engine oil. I'm not sure how good your nose is, but if you know the difference in smell between brake fluid and engine oil that's a dead giveaway also. So I'd start by 1) smelling the smoke - does it smell burnt or sweet? if burnt then it's likely the clutch, 2) is it leaking fluid? if so then what is the fluid, brake fluid or oil? In general, the jumping RPMs indicate you are in for a clutch job due to wear or contamination. A coolant leak would not result in increased RPM without a corresponding increase in speed. If the transmission were shot I'd expect lots of sound followed by no forward motion at all.

[woodsman]

When clutches wear out there is a tendency for them to slip at low revs in the higher gears. This can go on for a long time (months). With a sudden onset of a loss of drive it indicates something else has occurred. With smoke bellowing out, a burnt smell and a loss of drive it points to a fluid or burnt disc that needs immediate attention. It could be a blown rear main seal which allows oil to soak the clutch lining.

[Cebu]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for taking the time responding. I took a look under the car with my iPhone and took a few photos. I see fluids leaks all over the place! I'm not sure what's going on with that wiring, I believe it is connected to the 02 sensor.

I wasn't clear if I could start up the engine and also pump the brake to check for sluggishness. At this point it won't matter much, just more fluid to clean up I suppose.

If I'm not providing a photo that gives the proper angle let me know and I will retake the shot.

I have the Wayne R. Dempsey "101 Projects for your Porsche Boxster" and the Bentley Porsche Boxster manual for reference. I'll try to keep up with your technical terms.

Once again thank you, it's greatly appreciated!