’92 E34 clutch problem

Hi-
I've noticed that my clutch pedal goes down about halfway to the floor before it engages.  Also there has been some shuddering that i've noticed for quite some time but usually disappears after the car warms up.  The car has over 325,000k and I've owned it about 4+ years and have never even thought about the clutch.  until now.  I can imagine a few options but I'm not sure about BMW's.  once upon a time there used to be adjustment 'arms' but I have no idea about this car.   what can I look for here?


Edited by bookerfatz

no offence taken and it's a fair question considering my next questions.
  I will say though that I've been ignorant of the fact that there was a clutch fluid reservoir.  I thought there were 2 levels: one being the power steering and the other was the brakes.  Is it correct that what I thought was the brake reservoir serves both the brakes AND clutch?  That's a new one for me.

AND not matter what, the reservoir WAS low last week, I topped if off today, went for a drive and came back and the level was down again.  I definately have a leak somewhere.  I looked today for anything obvious but it's been raining and probably not the best day for a visual.

Booker 

I appreciate the answer jetsetwilly but there is only one reservoir for the e34 which is shared by both brake and clutch. 

2 questions though:  is it possible for the clutch system to fail if the leak is in the braking hydraulics?

I have the ABS system. Is it possible for a leak to develop inside that box?  I've never seen any messages here on this site about that though.


thanks for your help.

I have a 525 Touring and having just bought the Bentley's I can confirm there is just one reservoir for both. 

I did look over everything yesterday and really couldn't find a leak.  Took it for a spin and the clutch seemed to be back to normal.  Perhaps it was just low after some long neglect?  I'd like to absolutely confirm that there is not a leak first thing and then I'm taking to a shop and having the whole system flushed and bled.  I don't have a pressure bleeder and you're right about having to do this in the winter- no fun.

Hopefully I'll have good news to report soon.  I almost wish I had found a leak though because I have no idea why the original low clutch position.   It's why asked about the ABS though.  One of those little lines would have had to sprung though for it to leak inside that little box.

a bit yes.  only when it's cold though, after the car warms up it goes away.  This must be internal though I guess.  After 325k you might expect something like a clutch to go.  Not sure though but i sure hope not.  It's not really hard slippage either but you can definately feel's amiss.

well, I'm back to square one this morning.  sucker won't go into gear now.  I was going to drive to the shop but no go.  It was -6 last night though so perhaps that's a problem.  clutch pedal was back down to halfway to engage.   She's losing oil somewhere but I sure couldn't find it. It's not on the ground either????   Hopefully by getting it up on a lift they can see what and where it's happening.  I got to get it over to the shop though. 

more later today (I hope!).

it does pump up.  It didn't this AM although I think the cold had something to do with that.  around 3 it was warm enough and it started working again. I drove it to the garage and, after I topped it off again, it drove and felt just fine.  I'm not sure about this garage though.  They are much more comfortable with French cars (I live near Paris).  They've steered me wrong before (broken water pump for them meant cracked headgasket-junk the car!).  anyway- I figured they could pressurize the hydraulics and spot the leak.  should be a no brainer.  I'm kinda waiting to see if they tell me the clutch is gone. It's not though but we'll see.

to be continued... :/

hmm, doubt it, should all be done outside the bell housing, tho I've never been near a bmw clutch.  have a look at your manual? 

The clutch should be a v simple circuit, so beyond the cylinders and a short run of piping there should be nowhere for fluid to hide.  However, as it's shared with the brake circuit you'll have to look for leaks there too.

If the fluid wasn't going down I'd suspect your master cylinder is just knackered and bypassing the fluid, but if it's going down it must be going somewhere!

Could be a lot worse!