Clutch is acting odd

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  • RP808
    Noobie
    • Mar 2014
    • 17

    #1

    Clutch is acting odd

    Hello all, I got my 1988 325is E30 last month and am still exercising demons and getting to know the car. It has 160k and is in pretty good condition. The previous owner did a fair amount of replacements and general upkeep so I don't have much to do other than chase down leaks and what not.
    Thing is, that when I bought the car, I noticed that on occasion when I am about to depress the clutch and my toe touches the pedal, it will depress about an inch with no resistance. When I fully engage the the pedal and push it to the floor, and switch gears, the pedal will come back up to the top no problem. If I then try to push it in again, it gives full resistance (as it should) and everything is peachy. Note: I am not riding the clutch!
    Today when I was cruising through town at about 15mph, I was coming to a crosswalk so I engaged the pedal as I stopped and the pedal went straight to the floor with no resistance! Then from somewhere in the vicinity of the transmission, a noise akin to shaking a packet of seeds began to sound. It wasn't loud but it was steady. I toed the pedal back up (this whole time the car was still in gear, and did not stall) and drove away. After I switched gears (2nd) and drove about 50 ft, the noise subsided. I drove all around, actuating the clutch, switching gears, slowing down, speeding up, all in an attempt to make the sound come back but it did not.
    I checked the slave and there was no leaks. There are no clutch line leaks anywhere. I have yet to bleed the slave because I am so damn busy that I haven't found the time yet, but it's this new noise accompanied by the odd clutch feel that has me puzzled. I am thinking perhaps throw-out bearing? Could it also be the clutch master? I generally drive it very conservatively but today I did take it out and thrashed it a little bit. That being said, I never went near the redline. Any and all input is greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance.
    1988 325is
    5 speed
    155k miles
    K&N intake
    Chipped
  • Dakotademon7
    E30 Addict
    • Jan 2014
    • 446

    #2
    I would check the clutch master cylinder for wetness. You will have to look real good because it can be easy to mis the wetness on the clutch master cylinder. I like to use the brown paper towel that you find often in public bathrooms to wipe the clutch master cylinder to check for leakage. Any fluid that gets on the towel is very easy to see do to the much darker spot on the brown towel that you don't see on white paper towels. It's much easier to reach under the dash to wipe the clutch master cylinder the. It is to twist your neck trying to get a good look at it.
    sigpichttp://www.germanaudiospecialties.com/

    1986 325es :early:

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    • RP808
      Noobie
      • Mar 2014
      • 17

      #3
      Genius! Thank you I will do that.
      1988 325is
      5 speed
      155k miles
      K&N intake
      Chipped

      Comment

      • Zreberlcoe
        E30 Mastermind
        • Jan 2012
        • 1555

        #4
        I have these 100% same exact symptoms. Does your clutch squeek when you press it in? Mine squeeks all the time.
        1991 325i Calypso Coupe

        Like Grandfather, Like Father, Like Son
        BMW

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