Clutch feel - sign of impending doom?

[DavidSoine]

My clutch disengages when barely pulling the lever - it's not slipping, but it is annoying and makes it difficult for me to shift properly. It's been like this for a while - doesn't appear to be changing, either.

I'm thinking the clutch is wearing out or the mechanism (rod/splines/etc) needs cleaning and lubrication...

...Thoughts?

TIA,

Dave
99R11S 46k miles

[onekiwi]

dave make sure the fluid level is correct and bleed the system before jumping the gun
carl

[badger]

Sounds like either not much lining on the plates or oil contamination. Neither is good.

[badger]

Originally posted by onekiwi
dave make sure the fluid level is correct and bleed the system before jumping the gun
carl

Generally, air in the lines or low fluid causes the clutch to NOT disengage, but still worth looking at

[johnnydanger]

From my understanding the more mileage and less clutch you have, the less fluid is required as the clutch slave keeps backing out and forcing fluid up into the reservoir. Once the clutch reservoir tops out the fluid has no where to go and keeps the clutch slightly disengaged and more so with every passing day. If you can't see air at the top of the clutch reservoir window it's probably overfull and that is more likely your problem. Mine is starting to get there too. Time to open the top and drain a little clutch fluid.

[DavidSoine]

I do know the "remove some clutch fluid" trick, and I still have air in the reservoir...so that is not the issue (too much fluid). The signs are pointing to "wear" to me...

best,

Dave

[roger albert]

I'd say you're right d.s. How many miles?
Any sign of the dreaded grunge at the joint between the crankcase and trans

[Flatbutt1]

Originally posted by roger albert
I'd say you're right d.s. How many miles?
Any sign of the dreaded grunge at the joint between the crankcase and trans

First I've heard of this grunge. Anybody got a pic or a better description?

[Moybin]

Flatbutt

Pull the starter off the left side of the transmission. You can get your hand in there, use a minimag flashlight and can see in there, too. A lot easier than pulling the tranny.

If you've got a grunge build up you could have a leaking rear seal on the engine, a leaking front seal on the tranny, someone put way too much grease on the splines, or a combo of any/all of the above.

An industrial degreaser spray, trichlorethylene type that leaves no residue can get a lot of it, but the only way to diagnose the source is removing the tranny, that I know of. If the clutch plate is worn, you're going to have to remove the tranny anyway.

Good luck.

[roger albert]

just sort of a black smear or seepage where the trans and c.c. meet. Super common on BMWs from 2005 back to 1955 (probably sooner, but I don't to work on (m)any of those)

[DavidSoine]

No weeping or excess spooge at all - I'm surprised how clean it is under the "bell housing".

46k miles on this 99 Non-ABS.

best,

Dave

[roger albert]

normal lever feel Dave?

Sometimes a grungy slave piston can prevent full retraction just like too much fluid, Of course, that normally gives a soft initial lever and normal mid-late lever stroke feel. 46k seems a little early, though not ridiculously so, to be failing.