E34 mechanical problem.

[richyb]

Just had a call from a friend who said his 5 series (E34, 520i Manual) won't go into gear.

I'm going to pop over and have a look but at a DIY level all I am really going to check is the brake fluid is at the right level, see what the clutch pedal feels like (right to the floor/no resistance etc) and have a look for any obvious leaks. It might not be the fluid, master or slave cylinder and something in the gear box etc.

I appreciate this could be a number of things with such a limited description but has anyone got any ideas on things to look for?

[Fish981]

If it wont change gear with the engine off it's the gearbox, if it wont go in with the engine running it's the clutch.

For 99% of cases anyway.

[Nick3point2]

Fish981 said:

If it wont change gear with the engine off it's the gearbox, if it wont go in with the engine running it's the clutch.

For 99% of cases anyway.

This.

That's the rules I've lived by with this issue.

[dome]

The hydraulic clutch reservoir is separate on these and mounted on the bulkhead of these, check that is full and if not top it up. Slave cylinders can leak, I had this problem on an e32, keeping it topped up did the trick. I don't think a slave cylinder is particularly hard to change, I was just lazy.

[richyb]

Hello,
thanks for the tips. It turned out to be no fluid. It took me a little bit of looking about as, mentioned above, there is a separate reservoir for the clutch. I was puzzled at first at the brake fluid was full so traced the lines from the clutch area and found the empty reservoir. The guys who owns it said he has no idea when the last time someone looked in there or topped it up and he has had the car for 5 years. I had a look at the clutch cylinders the best I could without unbolting too much and no obvious signs of leaks. I told him just to keep a bottle of fluid in the boot and keep an eye on it. Thanks guys.