oh noooooooooo

[Sireatalot]

Morning Guys.

Well. Yesterday involved meeting up with KKson and a few others for Brekkie at Staverton airport Cafe..

I was the first long run for the 350i this year. however, noticed the clutch pedal seems to have lost a proper biting point, also seems to be harder to actually select 1st when stationary ( when cold ) once warmed up the selecting bit is easier but still clunky with the odd crunch and not 'as it use to be'.

Now. I have checked the clutch fluid and the level is fine. I did change the Master cylinder approx 7 months ago and the system was bled and topped up to normal levels.

The last thing is when accelerating, the car seems to hang back as if it can't transmit the power.

just wondering really what the issue could be, sounding like the clutch is slipping and wearing out would be my first thought ?? the only other thing I haven't touched would be the slave cylinder, could this cause any of the symptoms ?

If so.. what clutch would be the best replacement has anyone changed theirs recently and able to supply info ?. - will it be an engine out job to change ?

Thanks in advance.
Dom.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Dom...Sorry to hear that mate..Not sure if a slave cylinder would do that...(Possibly)...I know that a release bearing could..Which would mean a new clutch, The clutch plate can burn out fairly quickly, Did you notice any burning smells as its quite a distinctive smell, Bit like wire burning but a bit more metallic...As i also fear that day i asked around and the general consensus was that it is certainly an engine out or jacked up enough to separate the bell housing job..Hope it is the slave....Ziga

[Sireatalot]

Hiya Mark.

I have noticed the odd burning smell but put this down to other cars, rightly or wrongly. havent noticed a smell every trip - yesterday for instance, didn't notice a smell and that was a good 60 miles or so worth of drive.

the last few times I have driven, spent about 30sec or so pumping the clutch before moving which seems to help.

[400SE Dave]

If your clutch is slipping the revs will rise but not your speed. Did you see the rev counter rising quicker than your speed, especially noticeable in the higher gears??

[Sireatalot]

I cant say I have noticed the revs rising sharply but speed not..

What it does do every now and then ( excuse my rubbish explanation) is the car hits a flat spot for an split second where it doesn't accelerate but then it seems to catch again and accelerate as normal. you can feel a slight change in your body weight during this time, no worrying noises etc from engine.

I would say it happens more whilst accelerating up through the gears than at a constant speed in a higher gear.

Id also say the sensation would be like driving at a constant speed and then pressing the clutch pedel for a spilt sec and then taking off.

I just have an inkling it is clutch related.

Going to get a couple of mates to take it for a drive and see what they think..

[KKson]

Dom, from your symptoms it certainly sounds like the clutch. From what I've heard it is an engine out job but I have read a couple of reports where you move the engine as far forward as possible and with five sets of hands you may just be able to get a new clutch fitted. I imagine that to move the engine forward you'd need to remove a shed load of bits and disconnect the manifolds so it may be just easier to pull the engine out?

Having not done it myself I bow to greater experience though.....

[ElvisWedgely]

Sounds very much like a slipping clutch to me, and the sooner you get it changed the better as a slipping clutch can cause further damage and start scoring the flywheel. Do however make sure that, that is the problem. One simple test is to pull up the handbrake hard and try moving the car forward in gear. If the engine revs rise but thd car stays, you know you have a clutch problem. The handbrakes are so useless on the wedges though, this test could prove rather difficult. Usually, clutch change is an engine out job on these cars. Good luck.

Tony. TCB.

[adam quantrill]

The hesitancy doesn't sound like the clutch slipping to me - if it were slipping, the revs would rise noticeably. You still get reasonable acceleration rather than a flat spot. It tends to happen more in 4th or 5th.

As for the bite point and engaging first gear, this sounds like the master cylinder might not be actuating properly. Make sure it's still bolted in OK (sometimes the bolts can loosen or even drop out) and maybe bleed it again. You just need a plank of wood to hold down the clutch pedal, then quickly undo and tighten the bleed nipple, if it just squirts fluid rather than farts you are OK.

[ajp55]

It could be that the slave cylinder push rod has punched through the clutch operating arm.!