What Causes the Burnt Smell in a BMW 525?

[Garrett]

Burnt smell is caused by the clutch friction plate being too thin or overheating. Reasons for burnt smell in the engine compartment: If you smell a burnt odor coming from the engine compartment while driving, it is usually due to the clutch friction plate being too thin or overheating. This smell is often accompanied by a foul odor because the clutch plate is made of composite materials such as rubber and asbestos. Solution The clutch primarily uses the lever principle to pull the pressure plate to overcome the clutch spring force, thereby disengaging the clutch. When the friction plate wears thin, the release lever moves toward the release bearing side, requiring adjustment of the release lever or release bearing to maintain the gap between the release lever and the release bearing.