Odd Clutch issues

[BlackE30]

Hey guys,

I have been having on-going problems with my clutch system. My clutch will engage just fine most of the time and then sometimes when I let the clutch pedal out from a stop the clutch engages very early but only part way and is like that for 2-3 inches of clutch travel. After this if I put the car in nuetral and pump the clutch once it goes back to normal again. I was thinking there was a problem with air in the system but I keep bleeding the clutch and I still have yet to see any bubbles. I just pressure bled the system tonight and for some reason it feels like its almost worse now then before.

Do you guys think the master cylinder is going on the car or could it be the slave cyl? I believe the slave is original on the engine and has about 70k. The master on the other hand could be originial and the car has 215k.

Anyone have any ideas?

TIA

Jeff

[BlackE30]

Another thing I forgot to mention-

sometimes when I get on it in 1st the car feels like it doesn't go anywhere like the clutch is only halfway engaged. Sorta like the clutch is slipping but it only seems to do it in 1st. 2nd and 3rd gear do feel slow sometimes and really fast other times, just doesn't seem to be slipping or smell like it but it could just be me not realizing it.

Jeff

[BlackE30]

When I was driving this morning I didnt have a problem with it, its very intermittent. I did however have a problem, when I would shift from nuetral to 1st it would grind going into 1st. Cars not moving, it just grinds with the clutch all the way to the floor.

Any ideas?

[B3M2W5]

New clutch, old clutch? how many miles, was it broke in properly....

Also its not (you mihgt already know this not trying to be insulting) the brake master cylinder that provides the pressure for the clutch it is actually attached to the pedal under the dash, i just wanted to make sure that is infact the Clutch master cylinder your talking about. Some people have been confused b4 and really not known that there is a diff.

But Im not sure on that one thats a strange problem i would have to say if its not air, its something in the actual assembly. With the lever that pushes on the pressure plate or in the pressure plate its self. If your clutch isnt brand new i would say that could be a factor too.

Im having issues with my clutch and tranny as well but not the same. Mine engauges way off the floor i just need to bleed it but i broke the bleeder off OLD girl got some rusters. But the tranny whines like nun other right now im not sure what to do about it.

[PiercedE30]

The clutch master is attached to the pedals while the brake master is attached to the booster. They are two different systems.

[BlackE30]

supposedly the swap has 10k miles on it so a total of 70k miles on the drivetrain. The clutch was replaced when the swap was done with an m3 hd clutch.

yea I am well aware there are two different master systems. I'm going to replace the slave cyl and see what happens.

Jeff

[Teaguer]

From what you are describing it sure sounds like the clutch disc is worn/slipping .

The clutch hydraulics will pretty much bleed itself with the air returning to the reservoir....so short of a leak I would not blame the master or slave .

[BlackE30]

after talking with someone about the system I told them that a couple weeks back I tried to pull the slave and flip it (to see if there were air bubbles in the system) but the slave wouldn't come out. I got it to come part-way out but the boot flipped inside out and the rest of the slave cylinder was still in there. I had never messed with a slave so I thought it was normal to flip inside out. Apparently its supposed to just come right out so something is shot in the slave cylinder.

Do you think this is it or was I misinformed? Should I still pull the transmission and replace the clutch?

[Teaguer]

Yeah , sounds like the piston has extended beyond where it should be .

This would explain why its grinding when trying to engage a gear .
Not too sure if this will explain why it seems to slipping at times though ...but yes it would not hurt to replace the slave .
They are only like $20 something and are easy to swap .

Remember to position it do the bleeder screw is on top and the feed line is below .

[B3M2W5]

Opps maybe mine is in wron i swear i put it in the same way it came out but i am pretty sure, maybe im wrong even if the bleeder is on top will it still ange down to make it so you can bleed it.
I snaped the bleeder pin off so i either have to get it out in tech lab monday or replace it.

[BlackE30]

Hey Teaguer,

Can I leave it mounted with the bleed screw on top or does it have to be the other way? I don't think I can get to the bleed screw if its upside down, its tight as hell in there with the zf trans.

Jeff

[Teaguer]

Hey Teaguer,

Can I leave it mounted with the bleed screw on top or does it have to be the other way? I don't think I can get to the bleed screw if its upside down, its tight as hell in there with the zf trans.

Jeff

Yes you can mount t with the bleed screw on bottom .
Like I mentioned earlier , the master & slave will bleed out all the air on their own ....so its not that big of an issue .

[BlackE30]

Well. Bought a slave for the "ZF Transmission" and come to find out after getting under the car that it's Getrag 260.... After I got back with the right slave cylinder and bled everything I find that the problem is still there.... Grinding and the slow engaging at random times and def still feels like its slips on top end.

Looks like I may need to put a new clutch in or something, maybe replace the whole transmission.

Jeff

[B3M2W5]

Ok well mine was mounted wrong from the fact. so Moday in tech lab i took it put a new bleeder screw in it took the line off bent it so it would mount right.
With all things that have a bleeder screw in them the bleeder needes to be pointed up this is how the air is to be blead.
Then you should bleed it, this will! make a diff in your clutch pedal feel. I just did it.
I dont mean to contradic you but i had about 4 master cetified techs tell me all the same thing that it will not really bleed its self.
But im not trying to sit hear and say im right your wrong this is just the information that was handed to me so i did what they said and it works.

Bleeding it takes a while if you do take the line of like i had to. Be sure you have a stoper hose ready for the line it will leak like nun other. Then you have to pump all that air out of the line. Its the same as bleeding your breaks it just feels a little funny and you have to sit there for a while.
PS its much easier with a lift.

[B3M2W5]

Well. Bought a slave for the "ZF Transmission" and come to find out after getting under the car that it's Getrag 260.... After I got back with the right slave cylinder and bled everything I find that the problem is still there.... Grinding and the slow engaging at random times and def still feels like its slips on top end.

Looks like I may need to put a new clutch in or something, maybe replace the whole transmission.

Jeff

With the getrag you will want your getrag slave..... You will want it instaled with bleeder up...and then bleed the system...
If you are still having clutch issues with it sliping on top end or what not yes you need a new clutch the problem is not your slave.