HELP!: spontaneous loss of clutch pressure, unable to shift gears

[MilehighM3]

Originally Posted by jawwadh

my impression was the slave was mounted directly to the trans.. im not sure waht the dealer replaced that was right behind the pedal....

That would be the master cylinder, not the slave

[Jaymax85]

Why would the dealer replace the master but not the slave?

[MilehighM3]

Good question. Especially if they say they replaced the slave?
On your dealer paperwork there should be a part number for what they replaced. What is it, let's compare what they claim to have replaced with the part number.

[Jaymax85]

UPDATE: So I got a call from the Indy shop. They replaced the slave and bled it then reverse bled it.. they were able to get some pressure in the clutch but it was still difficult to change into gear. They pulled down the trans and they said there was black, asbestos like material coming out of the middle of the pressure plate. THey stated that the flywheel and clutch disk looked brand new. Even the outside of the pressure plate had the factory markings. It seemed like the inside of the pressure plate had imploded. THey advised me to call BMW and see if BMW would assist with cost of replacement. I called the service advisor at the BMW dealer my car had been at and he told me to call back monday and talk to the service director. I will talk to him on monday. If that doesn't work I will call corporate..

It seems obvious to indy shop and myself that this was a mechanical failure due to parts defect since everything else looks new with minimal wear. I would be amenable to having the dealer complete the repair under good will as my car has 32k on it and BMW discontinued the 2008 clutch design so I am forced to buy a 2009 flywheel as well.

Any thoughts?

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by jawwadh

Any thoughts?

Thoughts?...you should have left it at the BMW dealer to fix.
Getting BMW to give their parts to an Indy to fix the car is not going to be easy. If it was my decision I wouldn't.

[Jaymax85]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Thoughts?...you should have left it at the BMW dealer to fix.
Getting BMW to give their parts to an Indy to fix the car is not going to be easy. If it was my decision I wouldn't.

I would be amenable to BMW finishing the repair but without looking at the clutch itself that dealer wanted 4200 up front to just replace it.... The dealer initially said they don't goodwill clutches.. I'd rather when up paying 2500 at an Indy then pay the dealer 4300. I'll see what corporate says. I'd even take some compensation from BMW for the price of the flywheel as they are forcing me to change it.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Its a tough situation...on one side its a five year old car and the clutch is generally regarded as a wear and tear item and thus not covered under any warranty.
On the other hand you only bought the car a few months ago. For me the seller should be liable to cover the cost of repairs....especially if it came from a BMW dealer, a little harder to claim if its a non-BMW dealer and next to impossible if a private purchase.
I don't see why BMW USA should be liable to provide wear and tear parts for a 5 year old car especially in a situation where the warranty company are refusing to pay.
But good luck, you might get some good will, worth a try.

[rcracin]

Originally Posted by rcracin

Maybe I need a pic or to see it to understand. I'll look under my 6spd this weekend. However, shouldn't the opening be sealed with a boot?

OP, twin disc clutches in general tend to be on the thinner side. See if you can find out the thickness of a new clutch for comparison. Even if the clutch is worn, it wont affect the slave cylinder. Unless your pressure plate is broken, but I doubt that it is since you said the clutch did not slip. Bleeding a clutch hydraulic system can be a complete pain, but have someone reliable do it. I wouldn't be quick to pull the transmission off.

I was close in my diagnosis

You'd have to review your warranty for what it says clutch related. A clutch is like brakes and tires in terms of wear and tear though. I believe the pressure plate would also fall under that. Can you post pics of the pressure plate and clutch discs?

[MilehighM3]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Thoughts?...you should have left it at the BMW dealer to fix.
Getting BMW to give their parts to an Indy to fix the car is not going to be easy. If it was my decision I wouldn't.

This is probably the most accurate comment.
Unfortunately since the car was picked up and taken from the dealer goodwill is almost impossible. Even knowing that the flywheel change is not the clients fault. Depending on the original in service date of the car, it's probably more than 1 year out of warranty. In that case the chance of goodwill is slim. Factor in the lack of service history/value at the dealer with the current owner and the chances are further reduced. To add insult to injury, if you didn't purchase the car from the servicing dealer it's almost a guaranteed no from BMW. Worth a call, but probably not worth pressing too hard in case you need anything in the future.
Keep us updated OP

[Jaymax85]

Thanks for the perspective guys, if it was just a clutch it wouldn't anger me so much, but the fact that BMW forces me to change the flywheel which is most of the cost here is ridiculous

[rcracin]

Can't you just get a replacement pressure plate?

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by jawwadh

Thanks for the perspective guys, if it was just a clutch it wouldn't anger me so much, but the fact that BMW forces me to change the flywheel which is most of the cost here is ridiculous

if you took it to an independant and bmw isnt paying for anything how are you being forced? you can put a civic clutch in it if you wanted its your money.

[Jaymax85]

Originally Posted by rcracin

Can't you just get a replacement pressure plate?

BMW discontinued the 2008 pressure plate/clutch.. you HAVE to buy the 2009+ design which necessitates a new flywheel

.. I am thinking of buying this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121196916602...witem=&vxp=mtr

and just using the pressure plate


or this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E9X-E92-...d7c247&vxp=mtr

and using the 2009 flywheel... there is some discoloration on the flywheel though

thoughts?

[1MOREMOD]

i retract my statement.

[rcracin]

I don't see how that's a twin disc clutch. They seem to have a single disc.

I'd buy a new clutch if I were you. It'll be good for another 50-100k miles without worry.

[rcracin]

I saw os giken clutches on ebay. I'd go with that it's significantly cheaper than oem. They're rebuildable and os giken will sell you the individual parts to rebuild when the time comes.

[Jaymax85]

i want an oem clutch as i dont want my 3rd party insurance company blaming any trans failures on an aftermarket clutch

[rcracin]

Then buy new.

[Jaymax85]

I think I will, i was talking to my mechanic and he is saying that its extremely suspect how BMW discontinued the clutch and went with a bigger unit... I dont think I am going to chance fate on a repeat of this incident by replacing just the pressure plate. There is obviously a weakness in oe 08 clutch assembly.

QUESTION: does the clutch kit come with the throw out bearing?

[rcracin]

Aftermarket ones always do, not sure about oem. I'd buy a new oem throw out bearing if it doesnt come with it.

[MilehighM3]

Originally Posted by jawwadh

I think I will, i was talking to my mechanic and he is saying that its extremely suspect how BMW discontinued the clutch and went with a bigger unit... I dont think I am going to chance fate on a repeat of this incident by replacing just the pressure plate. There is obviously a weakness in oe 08 clutch assembly.

QUESTION: does the clutch kit come with the throw out bearing?

Your tech is thinking clearly, so that's a good thing. The 08s had complaints of excess noise while in neutral and the clutch was engaged at a stop. Anyone with an 08 knows that noise, especially if they've had the clutch and flywheel replaced.
The risk of buying a used clutch is too high. If it doesn't work your back to square one. Then the labor is doubled and you eat the cost of the used parts.

[MilehighM3]

Originally Posted by rcracin

I don't see how that's a twin disc clutch. They seem to have a single disc.

I'd buy a new clutch if I were you. It'll be good for another 50-100k miles without worry.

The other disc is inside the pressure plate assembly. It's non serviceable.