HELP - clutch biting point on the floor

[hitman]

Hi All,

in the last 2 days the biting point of the clutch on my 325i touring has pretty much hit the floor. I'm guessing it may have something to do with the cold snap, perhaps fluids have contracted in the cold?

Anyway, just wondering if there are things I can easily check to try to get it to be more drivable as I need to pick up my parents from the airport this evening.

Cheers for any help.

Hitman

[Ant]

check there is fluid in the clutch res, if its empty/low the pedal will bite on the floor

top it up and allow gravity to force any air to the top, then try the clutch again.

assuming operation is improved, bleed the slave cylinder, top her off again and monitor the level over a few days.

If its dropping check the footwell in the drivers side for fluid loss, and check the slave cylider is dry, you'll need to remove it from the gearbox to check the end where the pushrod sits.

HTH

[hitman]

Is there a particular type of fluid to use to top it up if it is low?

[Gwynleym10]

brake fluid! Dot 4 and above.

Master cyclinder may also be leeking, thats based behind the pedal, so if its wet around there....

[hitman]

oh well, Clutch won't work at all now!

Tried topping up the fluid and it only took a bit but still won't work.

Poop!

[johnono]

is there any resistance in the pedal at all?

[hitman]

just right at the end!

[max_crox]

It might me the slave cylinder has gone or even the master cylinder. The bite point would sink to the floor if I kept my foot on the clutch for a while.
Slave Cyliner is about 30ish quid and an hours labour and master is about 35/40 with an hours labour.

[RICHIE74]

Had this on my Sport . Try bleeding first but i reckon it will be your slave cylinder . Easy to do once the car is off the ground . Mounted on the gearbox , passenger side .

[hitman]

Thanks for the tips. A mate is gonna be helping me taking a look this weekend... gotta drive the Missus's Clio until then... and that has started throwing a ratty too!

[hitman]

clutch hydraulics sorted! Changed master and slave cylinders, I think the slave was leaking but changed both anyway. All is back to normal now, even passed MOT...after a new back box!!