No clutch on 525i

[Malcolmkeith]

I suddenly found the cluch pedal on my 1996 525i goes down to the floor with no resistance.
I looked in the handbook but I could not find anthing about a fluid resevoir. Does it have some other system and what is the likely problem.
Thanks Malcolm

[ian332isport]

There should be a small round fluid reservoir for the clutch. Generally mounted to the drivers side strut tower under the bonnet.

[Ian Geary]

Don't the clutch system share the same fluid reservoir as the brakes?

For me, a clutch pedal hitting the floor and not coming up has been knackered slave cylinder seals, or master cylinder seals (though checking pedal linkages would be a good thing too)


Ian

[E-bmw]

Pretty sure also that it shares a part of the brake reservoir with a weir between the 2 halves so that if the clutch fails there is still fluid for brakes.

It will likely be a fluid leak in the clutch side, look for a pool under the car if it has been stood.

[Touring442]

Clutch slave cylinder failed. They are cheap enough to replace.

[ian332isport]

Ian Geary said:

Don't the clutch system share the same fluid reservoir as the brakes?

Assuming an E34 not an E39 (don't think they did an E39 525i in 1996), then it should be a separate reservoir. Later cars did share the brake fluid reservoir though.

[naturalaspiration]

The clutch fluid reservoir should be under bonnet, in front of the driver.

[Triumph Man]

The Clutch on my E34 520i did exactly this and it was the slave cylinder. There is a clutch master cylinder reservoir under the bonnet on the driver's side - you'll probably find that to be empty!

[Malcolmkeith]

Thanks for all your replies.
I am a bit confused. There is a small reservoir on the the drivers side near the bulkhead but the manual says it is for power steering and self levelling
suspension. It does not mention clutch.

[ian332isport]

Malcolmkeith said:

Thanks for all your replies.
I am a bit confused. There is a small reservoir on the the drivers side near the bulkhead but the manual says it is for power steering and self levelling
suspension. It does not mention clutch.

Can you post a picture?

As above though. It's probably the slave cylinder.

[ayman82]

Triumph Man said:

The Clutch on my E34 520i did exactly this and it was the slave cylinder. There is a clutch master cylinder reservoir under the bonnet on the driver's side - you'll probably find that to be empty!

Same happened to me on my E34 525i, and it was the slave cylinder, nice and cheap to replace.

[Malcolmkeith]

Here is a picture

[ian332isport]

Yep, that round reservoir with the black cap is for the clutch.

Any fluid in it?

[Triumph Man]

ian332isport said:

Yep, that round reservoir with the black cap is for the clutch.

Any fluid in it?

It looks empty from here!

[Malcolmkeith]

Yes a mechanic friend said it looks live a new slave cylinder is required as many of you have suggested .Yes the reservoir is empty. Thanks to all who contributed.

[Touring442]

Put some fluid in, pump the pedal and you may* get a pedal back until it runs out again.