Margal

This happened last night when I was driving hard. I pulled the car from traffic light in 2nd gear and not gaining enough speed I did 4th pushing hard. The engine rev almost to the red just a second I think. I smelled something was burning. I have 93k miles on the car and I have valve cover to replace soon as there is some leaks but this was not oil burning smell it was more like electric wire burning but no smoke. I have no chance to check it this morning. Please tell me if I damaged anything and what this smell could be?
Thanks

SilberGrauE60

clutch?

and the engine will not overspeed. the computer will cut off the fuel before damage to the engine...

Margal

I did not think about clutch. Probably?
What are the symptoms clutch going bad? Does it bave burning smell?

SilberGrauE60

I've never had one go bad, but I would not be surprised if there was a burning smell as you are spinning friction plates against each other causing heat and probably smell...

.:reza:.

So your car is a manual transmission I'm assuming..

I run my car hard and it's also a manual tranny , after hard driving your clutch is bound to smell.
If you have a bad valve cover gasket , that is obviously the smell of your oil burning as it drips on the exhaust manifold.
Is your engine bay still stock , as in the harness and wiring?
Do you have any aftermarket stereo equipment that is installed ? possible wiring connection issues?

These engines are really strong ( the inline 6 motor ) , if the oil level is topped off and you run clean gas , they will run strong for a very long time.

Margal

My engine bay is still stock and I do not have any Aftermorket stereo.
This smell was not oil associated because I have experienced a burning oil smell from my E46
Most likely this was clutch but does this damage the clutch or is this smell normal?

sanjsanj

Erm.... WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING? Being in a gear too high and subsequently flooring it will, of course, burn the clutch out. The ONLY time you do something like this is when you're test driving a car and want to check the manual transmission clutch plates aren't slipping.

It does damage the clutch a little bit, in that it will wear it out slightly from the mismatch in speed of the clutch plates.

Margal

Yes was coming from the party, had a few glasses of wine and was not paying attantion. Lessen learned
Anyway thanks for all replays. Appreciate your help

.:reza:.

when you have that smell , it means your clutch is burning or heating up , does it damage it , no.. will you have to replace the clutch earlier then expected , yes.