Clutch problems?

[jamesgarbett]

Other half reckons the clutch is going on our E85

Symptoms are it's a bit juddery when pulling away in 1st and sometimes 1st refuses to engage at all unless the clutch is dipped again

Not sure if these are symptoms of a worn clutch?

 

[Adamski]

Worn clutch can usually be spotted when the revs rise under accelaration without a corresponding increase in road speed.

I'm not an expert on clutches, but I'm sure someone can offer some advice shortly...

 

[jamesgarbett]

Thanks perhaps it's normal then?

 

[th30d0r3]

These cars have a very frustrating Self Adjusting Clutch; the aim of which is to provide similar clutch operation even when the clutch plate is worn. the downside is it wears unevenly and is more prone to slip (which is an indication of wear).
As mentioned above if you rev and the car doesn't respond linearly or you can pull away in 3rd gear then you need a new clutch.
If not then the judderiness can be due to glazing (or whatever the correct term is) which will go away after normal use.

Does it do a rattle when you reach the biting point? since your symptoms could also point to a worn release bearing.

 

[Aebous]

Wow, odd coincidence. Seems like the past few weeks I can't shift gears (no matter the gear) without making the car jump a little. I've been wondering if I'm just tired & not caring or if the clutch is getting worn. At any rate it's not too bad so if it's clutch worn then it has plenty of time left.

 

[Adamski]

Out of interest, who has had to replace a clutch, and at what mileage?

If you've had to have the clutch changed, what kind of driving was involved, e.g. track, spirited driving, or commuting, gentle driving?

 

[bcworkz]

A number of things could cause judder, it will typically either get worse or better. Failure to engage 1st or Reverse occasionally, whilst standing, requiring a re-clutch to engage is normal. The gears are not spinning, and the splines happen to not align, so it won't go into gear. Re-clutching spins them up so it's easier for the splines to slip together, though sometimes it also results in a brief grinding.

@Aebous; A car would probably not jump if the clutch is worn. It's more likely the CDV is confusing your technique, causing you to mis-judge the bite point and coordination of the throttle at the correct time. You may need to relearn how to shift with a CDV, deliberately slowing the process, finding the bite point, engaging it slowly while applying throttle. As you start speeding up your shifts, you will find a point where you are shifting faster than the CDV allows. Either remove the CDV or don't shift faster than this.

 

[Aebous]

@Bcworkz dang that means i'm getting old then :? CDV's been removed. Actually I don't think it's me getting old, it's a lack of track days that's doing it. Yeah that is it!

 

[bcworkz]

CDV's been removed.

That actually makes more sense. Driving with a CDV destroys you sense of timing. You learn operate the clutch too quickly to make up for the valve's intervention. Once removed, you tend to clutch the same way, but now the car jumps because you are once again directly controlling the clutch. You basically need to re-learn how to shift. It's certainly not your fault! The CDV haunts you despite it's absence. (Has to be the CDV's fault one way or another) Track days will definitely get you back in the groove.

 

[Georgio]

I'm slowly getting used to the gears but I find the 'bite' point on my clutch seems variable resulting in uneven driving while in stop/start traffic.
I really don't understand why BMW would put this CDV on the car if it makes gear changing so hit or miss, no wonder everyone wants to remove it to get the slickness back.