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Thread: Opinions? Brake fluid?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    98
    My Cars
    80 633csi, 08 X3, 13 X5

    Opinions? Brake fluid?

    So after a couple of rides with my clutch pedal close to the floor (the classic lift it up with toe...not that I had to), Got in it to drive it and clutch pedal to the floor, no pressure. So, this has been discussed before and after a search I think I know the problem:

    1. Slave Cylinder has leaked out
    2. Need to replace master also, looks original
    3. I did see a bit of fluid on the garage floor and blew it off. (ooops)
    4. 1980 633csi

    So my question is this. I don't particularly feel like tackling this myself, so off to the pros at European Auto Garage here in Knoxville. I am considering attempting to fill up the master with some fluid and see if I can clear out the air (through the leak) by pumping the pedal......ao I can avoid the tow bill from the house to the shop.

    What brake fluid should I use?
    Is it even worth bothering?
    Should I just bite the bullet and call a tow?

    I guess I feel like I ought to at least try . . .

    Advice welcome

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Denver, Colorado
    Posts
    2,876
    My Cars
    1985 535i, 1980 635CSi
    Sounds like the clutch master or slave is failing. If that's the case, you need to replace it. If you have some pedal, drive it home and park it until you can fix it/get it fixed...

    It could also be a failed fluid line between the two.

    If you see fluid on the ground underneath, you are probably bleeding a failing system and just wasting brake fluid/time...

    Diagnose it and replace the failing parts...

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Redwood City, ca, USA
    Posts
    347
    My Cars
    2015 428i Coupe
    I forget what brake fluid. Dot 3 or 4? Others can chime in.

    I never had luck with bleeding via pumping the pedal. Even with a pressure bleeder, the clutch is hard to bleed. You'll find posts on how to bleed the clutch from the nipple on the left front brake caliper. I never liked that because you're pushing potentially dirty fluid into the clutch hydraulics, but that's irrelevant for you.

    Don't forget to check for a cracked pedal bracket. This is a common problem leading to clutch failure.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Lutz, FL
    Posts
    1,356
    My Cars
    '85 635 CSi Euro 5sp.
    I replaced my slave a few weeks back - 20 minutes, not including lifting the car. I bought the FTE slave from FCP Euro and a liter of ATE Typ 200 fluid, for just over $50 and free shipping. 13mm socket with a short extension for the two nuts, and a 10 or 11 mm flare wrench for the hydraulic line, 7mm for the bleeder. When you get the new slave hooked to the hydraulic hose, make sure the reservoir is full and the bleeder is open. Hold the slave so the bleeder is pointing up, and do an initial gravity bleed until the new clear fluid runs out. Next, compress the pushrod into the cylinder, close the bleeder, and release the pushrod. Repeat 3 or 4 times, and the reinstall the cylinder. You'll get a nice firm pedal, with no special bleeding tools required. If you want to be neat, use a piece of clear vinyl hose on the bleeder, with the end in a container of some sort to collect the brake fluid. I've tried pressure bleeding and reverse bleeding, but this method is the quickest and IMO the best.
    Dean
    Lutz, FL

    '85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
    '87 Spider Veloce
    '92 Spider Veloce
    '08 350Z


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    North Florida
    Posts
    111
    My Cars
    1983 633csi, 2017 540i
    Dot 4 is it.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    West Nyack, New York
    Posts
    1,391
    My Cars
    86 635csi 98 740i 96 MB

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