Clutch questions and .....?

[DianaG63]

Hi, again, guys. I actually got some pictures in one of those photo sites and posted them but for some reason the post never went up. Will try again later on a different post so I don't lose this one!

So, I am driving the other day and get stuck in traffic for a bit. When I try to get going, I cannot shift. At all. It is stuck and my foot isn't on the clutch and the engine isn't sputtering out. I realize that the clutch pedal did not come all the way back up. So I pump it a few times, having no idea if it was needed but don't have skills to know much else to try. Still shift will not go into any gear at all, won't even wiggle. I see that the clutch did not come all the way back up. I pull it up with my toe, depress it again and everything is fine. So, what's up with that?

Because I need to start with the simplest things, is there some kind of fluid that could be low? If so, what fluid and where do I find the resevoir for it. I have asked a few questions and looked around a bit and am thinking the clutch and brakes share a fluid reservoir? That is, if a clutch has fluid at all... I'm thinking it must have. I think I have found the brake fluid reservoir because, well, it says brake. And, even if the brake fluid is something separate, the reservoir cover says to use original fluid, so what is the original fluid. I will likely need to know even if not for this issue.

Last question, this time, is what is that teeny little reservoir up near the windshield on the passenger side?

Thanks for any comments... I do swear I'll have a fast learning curve on all of this!!

Diana

[wfwright2]

Sounds like it may be a bit low on brake fluid, brakes and clutch share the reservoir. Proper fluid is a(any) DOT 4. Problem is that once air gets into the system a clutch bleeding is called for. Similar to brake bleeding but in a much more difficult location to deal with. As your shark has sat for a while, a fluid replacement for brakes and clutch are recommended anyway. Your local Indy BMW shop/mechanic should be able to do it quickly and check for leaks, or worn pads that may be cause of low fluid level.
The windshield washer bottle near windshield is for "intensive" screen wash - activated by pushing in on wiper lever. Most just keep it topped off with washer fluid.

[dmac156]

Hopefully you are low on fluid, but chances are you have a bad clutch master or slave cylinder. It's not uncommon on these cars. I had to replace mine a year or two ago. I did the master, slave, and hose all a the same time since they are relatively cheap and you can replace the whole hydraulic system at one time. IIRC it was about $125 for parts. I don't know what it would cost to have it installed, probably an hour of labor.

[EuroGeorge]

Low fluid in brake/clutch reservoir. Bad clutch slave cylinder or master cylinder.

The small "black" reservoir at passengers firewall is for "intensive windshield fluid". Mine is empty and I have never used it. It's a German thing...

[DianaG63]

Thanks! I'll start with the brake fluid and will have a mechanic check the slave/master cylinders for me. Seems that having them checked and replaced will be cheaper than having the car towed in if it really locks up. This would be something where I would want to get the parts myself to make sure they are the right parts, or something I leave up to a good mechanic to get? I do not so much trust mechanics.... my trusted mechanic was the gentleman that gave me this car as a birthday gift who recently and suddenly passed away. That's why I am so lost in suddenly having to figure all of this out myself, and why I am so very grateful for all of your help and advice. Thanks...

[wfwright2]

If one or more of the groups members are not local to you to help, check "CarTalk.com". Click and Clack have a list of reported good independent mechanics for different areas and marks.

[DianaG63]

Checked cartalk.com. The first listing is my guy's shop....they wouldn't know yet that the shop is closed. Second listing is a garage that has been closed for about twenty years, last listing is a shop that doesn't exist.... I'll try a broader radius. I am in a pretty small town.

[JimPA]

BTDT. Clutch went to floor but didn't disengage anything. This happened intermittently. Tried a new clutch slave. That did not resolve the problem but a new master cylinder did.

A temporary fix in my car was similar to what you did. I shut off the car and got it out of gear. Then I hand pumped the clutch pedal 15-20 times and all was good - until the next time.

[rmorin1249]

I feel your pain. I'm no mechanic and the closest garage with experience on older BMWs is over an hour away. I am lucky to have another E24 owner close by who is very knowledgeable. Don't get discouraged but it is critical to find an honest and knowledgeable shop to help service and maintain your car. If you see an older BMW ask the owner who services it. Good luck.

[DianaG63]

... brake fluid reservoir is full... uh oh....

[Bert Poliakoff]

On these cars, the bracket that holds the clutch pedal can crack. That will also cause pedal problems Again it is known failure. It is not a big problem to fix if this is the case. Just some time and a person that knows how to weld

[DianaG63]

Bert, thanks. Is that something I would be able to see from inside, or under the hood, or do I need to get it up on a lift to see if that bracket is damaged? Clearly, I need to start printing out some diagrams! Diana

[wfwright2]

The master cylinder for the clutch is inside the car, mounted between the pedal bracket and firewall/floorboard area. Not much to see by looking at the cylinder, but the bracket can be seen with the under dash panel removed. Remember to reconnect the vacuum line to the internal temp sensor, one of the purposed vacuum leak.

[DianaG63]

So, at long last, I got my little car to the mechanic yesterday. Since the one day the clutch was screwy it has been working fine, but obviously I need to know it's okay. Spoke to mechanic in the afternoon, they checked the clip, master and slave and he said nothing whatsoever was wrong with the clutch, likely it was just a little sticky or whatever because it sat through the winter. Luckily I left a list of my "get it fixed one item at a time" things, so I now get to do something else on the list taken care of... little things like the electric for seats and windows stopped working when the new radio went in (and if you push the buttons on the radio too hard it shorts out the radio), or maybe charge/check out air conditioner. I left it up to them to decide what they felt like doing on the list, which is pretty short, just what I mentioned. So progress is happening :)

Diana

[EuroGeorge]

So, at long last, I got my little car to the mechanic yesterday. Since the one day the clutch was screwy it has been working fine, but obviously I need to know it's okay. Spoke to mechanic in the afternoon, they checked the clip, master and slave and he said nothing whatsoever was wrong with the clutch, likely it was just a little sticky or whatever because it sat through the winter. Luckily I left a list of my "get it fixed one item at a time" things, so I now get to do something else on the list taken care of... little things like the electric for seats and windows stopped working when the new radio went in (and if you push the buttons on the radio too hard it shorts out the radio), or maybe charge/check out air conditioner. I left it up to them to decide what they felt like doing on the list, which is pretty short, just what I mentioned. So progress is happening :)

Diana

Here's little recommendation. You may want to consider a fire extinguisher for your car. These cars are are nearing 30 years old or older and some have passed through several hands. Things like aftermarket radios, alarms and such which "short out" can be the source of a dash fire and subsequent "car-b-que" That would be a bummer. Just an idea.

Cheers,

George

[DianaG63]

George, thank you. Very good recommendation and I have just put fire extinguisher on my shopping list.

Diana

[FernandoBunster]

George, thank you. Very good recommendation and I have just put fire extinguisher on my shopping list.

Diana

Here's what I would do; Insure the car with Hagerty for an agreed value. $7,000 agreed value will cost you around $250 per year. That includes collision with no deductible, liability, fire, theft and flat bed towing for ALL your cars.

If the car catches fire, get out of the car, wait 10 minutes and call the fire department.

I have a fire extinguisher in my car but it's just for show.

[rmorin1249]

Here's what I would do; Insure the car with Hagerty for an agreed value. $7,000 agreed value will cost you around $250 per year. That includes collision with no deductible, liability, fire, theft and flat bed towing for ALL your cars.

If the car catches fire, get out of the car, wait 10 minutes and call the fire department.

I have a fire extinguisher in my car but it's just for show.

I have my car insured with Grundy for $30K and it costs me just under $300/yr