So I just bought a new 2014 wrangler sport recently, and I was just driving it through some dirt roads while headed home (note it's entirely stock and I don't do any off-roading in it as of now) and I came across some deepish wet mud since it had rained earlier. I couldn't go around it so I slowed way down and just tried to put it in first gear and barrel through, it didn't go super well I'm assuming because while trying to get through without getting stuck it started to smoke and smell terrible, so I got through and turned off the car, did I blow my clutch or something? I'm no car expert by any means but it sure as hell didn't seem good so I let it sit there for a minute, there was no more smoke after I had stopped but it still smelt awful, it made it home without much trouble as far as I could tell, but i just want to make sure there was no permanent damage and if that is a regular occurrence in that kind of scenario. Thanks in advance.
You probably just threw some mud on your exhaust and burnt it. It should be drivers side right behind the plastic fender well. Its probably an orangish color. Also when you went in to first did you ride the clutch or were you fully engaged? If you ride the clutch you'll end up burning the bands in the tranny. That's the advantage to 4L you can fully engage much quicker (usually start with 3rd gear on flat ground)
Could it have been steam from water splashing up on the exhaust? Mine did the same thing today, but without the smell? Also, did you turn off the traction control? I didn't at first, and it started getting really weird, trying to maintain traction in sloppy wet mud. Every time a tire would break loose it would act like it was cutting out...once I turned it off every thing was great!
Clutch smell or water on hot engine/exhaust smell ?
I wouldn't be overly concerned. Smoking the clutch (if the case) is never a good thing. If anything will decrease it's life. I've smoked mine a few times off road. Still holding up
Good to know, thanks for the input I guess I'll just be more careful next time and be on the lookout for any problems, but good to know it probably isn't as bad as I thought
Yeah I dont think the engine makes enough torque to be able to slip the clutch fully engaged and underway under any scenario. Im betting it was steam and mud usually stinks on the exhaust.
When you went to 4H....did you put the vehicle in park an hold down the traction control button for 5 to 7 seconds? (Or even tap the traction control button)?
If not...that smell was the lovely aroma of your brake pads being chewed up as your traction control was kicking to stop your wheels from spinning while you were doing your best to keep your wheel speed up.
When you went to 4L....did you put the vehicle in park an hold down the traction control button for 5 to 7 seconds? (Or even tap the traction control button)?
If not...that smell was the lovely aroma of your brake pads being chewed up as your traction control was kicking to stop your wheels from spinning while you were doing your best to keep your wheel speed up.
Hmmm. I really thought that in 4lo, the tc was automatically off? Or is that 6 spd only? Just can't recall right now!
Troy
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