Is my clutch going?

[Gazzab]

Made the mistake of washing , polishing, hoovering etc my old 5 series touring. It is a 94 525i SE manual. Have had it for some 60K miles or more. This morning the clutch bite was almost at the floor. After a few changes it moved back up towards the top of the travel. I assume this might mean a fluid leak? Anyone got a view?
(and it is due an MOT and service this month and so I am a little worried that it might not be worth fixing ie buy a new car time).

[Gazzab]

It is hardly working at all this morning. I guess it must be the slave cyl. Is it in the bell housing? Anyone know ? DOes it sound expensive? Car is due MoT and service and so I am wodering if I should just leave it and sell on ebay. Been a great car though (owned it fo r8 or 9 yrs).

[DaveR]

Sorry chap, can't help you I'm afraid.

When the clutch on my 330i was shot it was because the friction plates had actually worn out rather than any fluid or fingers related issues (I have another car for that ) It's always slightly less painful when you have to replace something as you've worn it out rather than suffered a component failure. And it had done 105,000 miles so it didn't really owe me anything. Good luck.

[Pork_n_Beem]

Check clutch fluid level. Slave cylinder is external and not expensive, sounds like a dodgy slave cylinder.

If you jack one side up you should be able to see it with a torch.

cheers

[Gazzab]

Thanks - if it is a simple / cheap job then maybe the old girl lives on!

[Gazzab]

Checked the fluid today and it is all gone bar some bits of balck plastic! So tpped it up, pumped it up and it feels fine. So in to garage next week. Will get a new slave cyl , MOT and service (unless it all looks too expensive and then I will get a 330D ?).

[Gazzab]

Fixed it myself at the weekend. New slave for £25 plus fluid. Sorted.

[Pork_n_Beem]

kool, doddle these bm's aren't they ?

[Gazzab]

They are amazingly simple to work on. This era of car is so well made. I think it is on original clutch, shocks, exhaust etc..... When you do come to have to repair something they are so easy to access etc.... With parts avail from EBay and so forth then they are pretty cheap to fix.