sledder10

Hello all,

I made an agreement to purchase a 2006 TL with MT contingent on the dealer replacing the clutch. Before I test drove it the dealer mentioned the clutch needed to be replaced but they would take care of it. They had it idling after they pulled it around to the front of the showroom and my 7 year old son mentioned he could smell something awful. I have zero sense of smell so I was oblivious to the situation at the time. The sales man said it was the clutch so I am taking their word for it. It was not obvious during the test drive so it must still have some life left in it. I made them put it in writing that they would use OEM parts. Anything else I should be looking for them to do as part of this clutch job? Anything I should look for when I test drive it after they are done?

Any words of advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

ez12a

smelling awful can be a lot of things from failing catalytic converters to coolant burning off. Ask him to be a little more specific? Rotten eggs = bad cats.

sledder10

The dealer seemed convinced it was the clutch but if the clutch was slipping enough to generate a smell while it was idling it would seem it would slip a lot during a test drive as well.

ez12a

if it was slipping under zero load (in neutral) like he says it was, it would definitely slip when you're driving it.

Not saying the clutch is in perfect condition, but the smell might be coming from somewhere else.

sledder10

That was my concern, possible the dealership misdiagnosed the issue. Wish I still had a sense of smell as I used to be able to tell the difference between coolant, clutch and or cat issues.