Burnt Clutch?

[Andrew jahn]

I drive a 2014 2500 Ram Diesel with Manual Transmission. Its a six speed manual with so much power in first gear that I don’t use it unless I’m towing my camper.

Two weeks ago my wife took the truck and camper and went out on her own. When she returned home their was a very strong burnt smell that lingered for a couple days. My daughter claims she saw smoke from under the truck while my wife was backing the trailer into the driveway.

Now when I try to start from 2nd gear the truck lurches and the clutch chatters. It gets worse as the truck is driven and I can almost always smell that burnt odor after driving. Not near as strong, but still there. I can start from first gear without issues and go thru all the gears with no problems, but it is much more difficult to start from 2nd. I can feel the chatter in Reverse too, but not near like starting from 2nd.

I’ve tried going from 4th to 6th on the highway to see if the clutch is slipping, and it does not appear to be. The RPM’s stay in range with the speedometer.

Any suggestions…. Does anyone agree that my clutch has been damaged and if so since I can use first gear should I worry about it until it gets worse? We are pretty much done camping for the winter, so I won’t be towing much for a few months.

Thanks

Topic

[college man]

Your flex plate maybe glazed. If there is an inspection cover look at the flex plate or
remove the starter to check it.

[Andrew jahn]

I didn’t think manuals had flex plates. That was an automatic thing.

[Philip Burke]

Would be the fly wheel in the case of a manual, same idea applies though should be able to remove to starter to gain a little visibility.

I’m wondering is something went wrong with the damping mechanisms in the clutch (i.e. springs and such to facilitate “smooth” engagement). This might explain why you’re experiencing “chatters” in 2nd and reverse but not the higher gears where it’s harder to actually feel the differences in engine output. Not sure why you would not experience chatters in 1st, but I’d hazard to say ratio of the 1st gear in your truck is much higher than that in my sedan.

[college man]

[quote=”andy685″ post=179107]I didn’t think manuals had flex plates. That was an automatic thing.[/quote]

ok flywheel

[Author]

Replies