HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!350i Clutch problems

[Mike Brewer]

I have read with interest for a few months now all your exploits.I have now decided to take the plunge and join you,i would like to say hi,to all my fellow Wedge owners.I am having problems with my gearbox/clutch and wondered if any bright spark could offer an opinion?At times i can't engage either 1st or reverse with engine running,this happens intermittently.If i turn engine off,no probs.Alot of history with car but no clutch bills.Mileage shows 85,000.I guess i am probably looking at a new clutch but just needed advice,with possible cost of clutch.
Cheers Mike.

[Gandalf]

Hi Mike and welcome to the coven.

Unfortunately I don`t have an answer for you but if its any consolation you are not alone in your quest for an answer ,

I too have a very intermittent gear selection problem on my 400SE which I use every day.

It can go for five or six days with absolutely no problem at all and then gear selection suddenly disappears for 3 or 4 mins, it may persist on and off for 1/2 hour but might clear up straight away.

No one has come up with a definate cause so my first plan is to replace both master and slave cylinders next month and see what happens.

Maybe we can exchange info as we get it?

Meantime enjoy the beast and welcome to the Dark Side.

[wedg1e]

Common ailment with the LT77 box. Usual fix is to go into 2nd first (if you see what I mean!), this stops all the bits spinning and helps correct selection.
Not sure why it happens though...

Ian

[dexy]

hello there mike ,
well iam in the process of doing my 350 clutch ,cost is bout £110 thats without the flywheel (bout 160 quid for the flywheel )got them from rimmer bros in lincoln .now ive gone the whole hog and taken the engine out just for something to do then had the gearbox checked , they said the gears were fine but i had the bearings replaced.could be worth getting the box checked depends how far you want to go .
cheers neil

[lesliehedley]

It sounds like a similar problem to mine. Generally the gearchange is fine, but sometimes I can't get it into first while the car is standing still with the engine running, although it will go in if I select first just as it comes to a halt. I've had this problem all he time I've owned the car( five years), It doesn't get any worse with time. I think I've worked out what it is. It is generally worse the day after the clutch gets hot. e.g. if I'm stuck in traffic for a long time. I think it's due to heat soak from the engine causing dirt or possibly clutch dust on the clutch splines to become sticky and not allow the clutch to disengage fully. Probably made worse by the clutch being old and the release springs possibly a bit weak. Since it isn't getting any worse and it's not worth pulling the gearbox out just to find out, I intend to leave it until the clutch finally goes, and just select first befor eI come to a halt in the mean time.

[grahamw48]

Not my favourite subject !

Just had my clutch and spigot bearing replaced in my series one 280i (the one with the TIGHT chassis).

Took them 4 days, and cost £478.

Could have swapped engine, box and clutch, had I known it was that difficult.

[HeyAndy]

I find I get some trouble when the engine is cold - Overhauled both cylinders and all seems well last year

[adam quantrill]

you could try changing the gearbox oil, it might free things up a bit.

I use ATF in mine but I hear there's a Castrol 75EP oil that might be superior.

When you take the drain plug out, check the magnet for scary-looking bits of metal!

[Ticker]

I agree with Adam , when I had my 420 serviced, a thinner oil was used and I had serious issues getting any gear, took it back, replaced with what the engineer classed as a winter oil, thicker viscosity, and no issues, could be worth a try.

Dave