Wonky clutch ?

F

ferrelscent

Active member
 South East London
I am not a mechanic by any means, so please excuse this if any of this is dumb.

I feel like there is 'not much clutch' on my Z4. What I mean by this is that from clutch to floor to full release the drive engages in less than the last 5% or so of the movement of the clutch.

I'm not sure if it's always been like this, or if for some reason I'm just suddenly focusing on it. The result is that I'm having to be quite careful and conscious in slow speed gear changes, in town traffic, otherwise I get a bit of kangaroo jumping going on. I have the same issue with or without sport mode on.

Is this normal for a Z4, or should I expect there to be more range over the press of the clutch pedal to play off the accelerator against it ?

Do clutch plates wear down and need replacing in the same way as brake pads, and if so would a warning light tell me about this ?

Or is there a cable or something else that might just need adjusting in the clutch mechanism.

I guess I'll end up at the garage eventually, but it would be good to not go in totally blind !
 
Sounds like the cdv (clutch delay valve) This can be modded or replaced or removed, i'll let someone else go through the details but sounds like your z4 is normal. A quick search of the forum will give you plenty of info on it.
 
bmwangler said:
Do you mean you have a short travel on the pedal before the drive is engaged?

I
Click to expand...

No the opposite really. With the pedal to the floor obviously there's no power to the wheels, ..then as I lift my foot, no power to wheels until the last 5% of the travel of the pedal upwards.

From your questions, can I assume that a problem with the clutch plate etc would have the opposite effect, i.e. drive engaing sooner on liftung my foot off the clutch pedal ?

Thanks
 
klarky said:
Sounds like the cdv (clutch delay valve) This can be modded or replaced or removed, i'll let someone else go through the details but sounds like your z4 is normal. A quick search of the forum will give you plenty of info on it.
Click to expand...

If it's normal I'll probably just try to forget about it. I've just don't remember any other clutch being so on/off like this.
 
Doesnt sounds like the CDV to me, jerkiness or delayed reaction yes, but not what I would call a long travel before it engages...

clutches do wear out, what is the mileage on your car?
 
gannet said:
Doesnt sounds like the CDV to me, jerkiness or delayed reaction yes, but not what I would call a long travel before it engages...

clutches do wear out, what is the mileage on your car?
Click to expand...

Mileage is about 45k.
 
ferrelscent said:
gannet said:
Doesnt sounds like the CDV to me, jerkiness or delayed reaction yes, but not what I would call a long travel before it engages...

clutches do wear out, what is the mileage on your car?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

If a clutch was completely work out would the drive be engaged all the time, or none of the time ?
 
BMW replaced my clutch at about 36k... might be worth getting it checked out?

The CDV certainly doesn't help things at low speeds/parking etc which tends to slip the clutch...
 
gannet said:
Doesnt sounds like the CDV to me, jerkiness or delayed reaction yes, but not what I would call a long travel before it engages...

clutches do wear out, what is the mileage on your car?
Click to expand...

x2
 
gannet said:
BMW replaced my clutch at about 36k... might be worth getting it checked out?

The CDV certainly doesn't help things at low speeds/parking etc which tends to slip the clutch...
Click to expand...

Yep I'll probably end up at the garage, just wanted to test the water here first. I'm always convinced that the garage will do work even if nothing is really required.

Do you remember ball park cost of replacing the clutch,..or was it under warranty ?
 
ferrelscent - sorry, but long travel on the clutch pedal usually indicates wear to the clutch plate.

The CDV just delays the drive take-up slightly but won't increase pedal travel as far as I'm aware.
 
bmwangler said:
ferrelscent - sorry, but long travel on the clutch pedal usually indicates wear to the clutch plate.

The CDV just delays the drive take-up slightly but won't increase pedal travel as far as I'm aware.
Click to expand...

OK thanks...does anybody know what this might cost ?
 
Any more takers on the possible cost of having a worn clutch fixed ?....and would you go to a stealer for this type of job ?
 
Clutch is bread and butter for most mechanics. Im guessing £500-750 for most cars that I have bought in the past. Would be nice to know if someone on here could confirm.
 
christurbo said:
Clutch is bread and butter for most mechanics. Im guessing £500-750 for most cars that I have bought in the past. Would be nice to know if someone on here could confirm.
Click to expand...

So a non BMW mechanic could get hold of any parts and do the work ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom