Catching Low

[BAlbertiX]

Over the last two years, I've replaced the clutch, throwout bearing, pressure plate and slave cylinder on a '91 ix. Recently (past 3months) and intermittently, the clutch has been catching very low, and the pedal coming up slowly. Feels like the clutch master, but after taking a look, it's not leaking, and the slave has a full hard throw when the clutch master is pressed to the floor. I bled the system twice with a full reservoir. Still same issue.

My local foreign car garage says pressure plate. Given the PP is only a year old, I'm still thinking clutch master. Before I take it to another shop or start throwing parts at it, has anyone here seen similar symptoms?

Side note, cold dry days the clutch is fine, rainy/foggy days make this problem much worse.

Thanks

[Poorboyz]

Try checking the 30° plastic elbow that goes into the clutch master from the soft line in the brake reservoir. I had mine break and I still had clutch pressure but it was doing what you described. Mine was also leaking in between the carpet and the firewall.

#7 on the below RealOEM.com chart

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1413&mospid=47322&btnr=21_0004&hg=21&fg=10

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[BAlbertiX]

Thanks Poorboyz, will investigate. Was yours cracked or had the fit between the the elbow and soft line loosened?

[Poorboyz]

Mine was cracked 75% around so clutch was still working but every time I used it fluid would leak down the clutch master in between firewall and carpet. And I didnt notice it until clutch completely stopped working. I got the plastic elbow replaced and I got an extra one. It took 3 days to get them.

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[BAlbertiX]

Checked the clutch master cylinder's elbow again tonight and it's dry as a bone. Nothing on the carpet or the braided line.

Maybe, just maybe the garage knew what they were talking about. I'll keep you guys posted with what worked.

Thanks again poorboyz

[BAlbertiX]

Finally dropped the transmission.
Found the problem.

This was only after 50k, highway mileage...

[jlevie]

That would probably be from a bad throw out bearing. Or some restriction in the clutch lines or master cylinder that isn't allowing the bearing to fully release.