Clutch question

[funkyboogalooo]

i've got a 91 Maserati Karif which is excellent in every way. Recently though i've noticed that there is a clutch smell coming from the car after it has been driven (and not neccesarily driven that hard).
Now this is the first car ive had in the 280bhp+ area so the question is this. Is this clutch smell normal or do I have a problem? If it is a problem what are the likely causes? I dont think the brakes are sticking so its not putting undue stress on the clutch. Could it be because the car was stood virtually all of last year by the previous owner that maybe that has something to do with it?
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Mike

[Tabs]

I shouldn't think it's the clutch. Does it feel like it's slipping? If the car has stood for a year, it's most probably a sticking caliper. Get on your knees and smell each wheel, this might give a clue. Putting your hand on the wheel itself to feel if one is warmer than another may give more ideas. Taking each wheel off, removing the pads and pushing the pistons back and refitting the pads would be my first plan of action. Don't forget to pump the pedal before you drive it after this work!

[funkyboogalooo]

at first that made sense, but thinking about it heres an example, drive the car out of the garage to wash it. wash it put it back in my garage via the drive which is quite steep and get that smell! If it were to be the brakes would it be likely to smell in such a short time?

[CarZee]

Sounds like you should stop washing it. At least as a workaround

[funkyboogalooo]

christ has my missus joined the forum? she says stuff like that!
Anyways do we reckon it could be the brakes even from just up the drive?

[mhibbins]

Our midget did that (mg that is), turned out the slave clutch cylinder was leaking fluid onto the clutch causing the smell and it would burn off even moving the car a small distance.

Mark