My BMW 316 (1989) has just been delivered back to my house after breaking down! The gears were a little rough earlier today and when I came to drive home it wouldn't select any gear with the engine running (although it would with it turned off). To move it for the truck I have to start it in reverse and try and get the throttle right to keep the engine running without crashing, was a pain. The clutch is useless, pressing it down has no effect at all.
Any ideas what this could be?
clutch problem
Moderator: martauto
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
I expect the clutch fluid has leaked. Check the resevoir.
Probable cause is a failed clutch slave cylinder or master cylinder. Doesn't matter which, as they both should be changed.
Probable cause is a failed clutch slave cylinder or master cylinder. Doesn't matter which, as they both should be changed.
I've had it looked at and it's the slave thats gone, why should both of them be changed at the same time? The bloke that looked at it said it should be fine just fitting a new slave.
I found one on euro car parts for £14.62 - not bad!
I found one on euro car parts for £14.62 - not bad!
as brian said its false economy because the other will go soon and when you fit both you will only have one lot of bleeding to do ....master is about £20-£25 from gsf they do a cheap one and a dearer one if anything it will give you peace of mind...
Chances are they are both the same age and with the new one working properly it may put more strain on the old one. And its not as though they cost lots of money.
It may also be worth checking/replacing, the plastic elbow going into the cylinder abobe the clutch pedal as this is likely to break (well mine did) and its only about 20p from BMW.
It may also be worth checking/replacing, the plastic elbow going into the cylinder abobe the clutch pedal as this is likely to break (well mine did) and its only about 20p from BMW.

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shocks could be either all dependant on what you want to fit try this link http://www.gsfcarparts.com/
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
If the slave cylinder has failed and you push the clutch pedal down, the piston in the master cylinder will go slightly further in than it has before. This will push the already probably well worn rubber seal into the gunge that lines the bore just beyond the normal travel of the piston, and it will probably fail within a fortnight.
The debris from this failure will find its way down to your new slave cylinder, and possibly damage that as well.
This theory has been born out by my personal experience on more than one occasion.
Don't buy the cheaper cylinders that GSF offer - go for their better ones.
The debris from this failure will find its way down to your new slave cylinder, and possibly damage that as well.
This theory has been born out by my personal experience on more than one occasion.
Don't buy the cheaper cylinders that GSF offer - go for their better ones.


