Clutch slip

Post Sat Jan 29, 2005 8:12 pm

Recently i have noticed on a couple of occasions what i suspect to be some slight clutch slip.
I have done the usual nailing it up a hill in 2nd then wacking it in 5th, and it settles back down to normal revs quite quickly. However, when i drive along in 3rd/4th at low revs, floor it, drop the clutch so the engine revs high then let off the clutch the revs drop then rise until the redline if you want (almost feeling like the rears are spinning).
Surely the rears arent spinning because although it was a wet road, it doesnt have the power does it? (not in 4th anyway) (318is).
Can do a new clutch myself, just need to know some more opinions on whether its on the way out or not
?????

Post Sat Jan 29, 2005 8:17 pm

Jamesb318is wrote:Recently i have noticed on a couple of occasions what i suspect to be some slight clutch slip.
I have done the usual nailing it up a hill in 2nd then wacking it in 5th, and it settles back down to normal revs quite quickly. However, when i drive along in 3rd/4th at low revs, floor it, drop the clutch so the engine revs high then let off the clutch the revs drop then rise until the redline if you want (almost feeling like the rears are spinning).
Surely the rears arent spinning because although it was a wet road, it doesnt have the power does it? (not in 4th anyway) (318is).
Can do a new clutch myself, just need to know some more opinions on whether its on the way out or not
?????

With that sort of driving I'm not surprised you've got problems, why would you want to rag the hell out of your car in 2nd and then change straight to 5th???

And no, you won't spin the rearsin an iS in 4th, you'll be lucky to spin them in 2nd in the dry.

Post Sat Jan 29, 2005 8:35 pm

more constructively... handbrake full on, 2nd or 3nd gear, plenty of revs and bring the clutch up gently, giving more throttle as the clutch bites.

if your handbrake works well then you should be able to stall the engine. if you can get the clutch all the way up with the engine still reving it's shot.

i know it sounds a nasty thing to do to a clutch, but it will give you an answer! that's what i'd do on a test drive.

Post Sat Jan 29, 2005 8:36 pm

Remember, a slipping clutch is often caused by an oil leak - say a shot crank seal at the rear of the engine. You will know straight away when you whip the gearbox out, and see whether the clutch is dry (& just worn) or wet (whole bigger deal).

Stripping out the box out itself isn't that big a deal, but you need good access to underneath. Haynes manuals cover it fairly well - there's bound to be a thread on here somewhere about how to do it too.

Paddy, 320i

Post Sat Jan 29, 2005 8:39 pm

hmmm, that sounds like asault and battery of an i.s james

the clutch slip could well be attributed to a funny sensation of slippage. ahve you tryed doublefootin it

one on the break after letin out in first and the other on the juice.

try graduating the juice to se if the car will slip berfore u stall, if it begins to slip, theres your answer

but drastic tests of 2nd on a hill to 5th will cause other things to mash up aswell geez

Post Sun Jan 30, 2005 2:01 pm

well, thats the method ive been shown by a few technicians at the bm garage i work at, never seen it cause any damage - just askin for some advice, didnt ask for a slating!
thanks for all the (constuctive) advice, will try and see what happens!

Post Sun Jan 30, 2005 4:40 pm

mate

dont take it personally!!

i treat mine with kid gloves (which is almost as bad as thrashin her really) so i whince when i hear "methods" as so.

if you work at bmw, why dont u just have a look at it then ..in ure lunch break of something. what could it hurt.

and im sure with all the experts over there, u should get a diagnosis in minutes

Post Sun Jan 30, 2005 4:49 pm

no worries m8 i didnt, just not the reply i was expecting! will have a look when ive got some time, not really a lunch break thing though, its easy getting the box out, its just getting to it! (remove exhaust which will prob snap downpipe bolts, prop etc.)
Just being lazy i guess!

No offence meant, and none taken

Post Sun Jan 30, 2005 5:04 pm

all good bro, i had a wonder about mine the other day too, funny juddering at the start of my drive one day, and then later a looseness of power as i changed i through gears. i had been on a long motorway run though but i tried the break-juice test too and i got a little slip

anyway, no biggy. and give it a shot on the diy. cant hurt