Clutch won't disengage

rymerc · 04-13-2019, 12:15 PM

*** fixed***

2008 70k miles. Clutch feels normal, can't shift into any gear with motor running. Pressing gently towards a gear position makes the car crawl as long as pressure is applied to the shifter.

Shifter moves fine with engine off.

No crunching or grinding noises, no noises when clutch is depressed with motor running or stopped. Fluid level is normal and clean.

Bled the slave cylinder, fluid was clean and clutch pumped up fine, but no change.

Anything specific I'm overlooking before I drop the trans? Can't believe I'd have throwout bearing or slave failure already. Drove normally the day before, didn't make any throwout bearing or other non m3 noises (I've driven a few of them).

Mvy · 04-13-2019, 03:08 PM

You prob need a new clutch. Mine did the creeping,more like lurching thing when I needed a new one. Get ready as on the 08 you also have to replace the flywheel as the replacement clutch part is not compatible with the 08 flywheel. Its pricey.

amrazM · 04-13-2019, 08:08 PM

Yeah if you put the clutch in and the car is creeping it’s not disengaging.

If the master and slave cylinder are in good spec then you need a clutch.

rymerc · 04-14-2019, 06:15 PM

Decided to try a little gamble before spending the $750 for a flywheel and clutch kit and facing the 1-time-use bolts and rusted, sheared-fastener-misery ahead.

Held the clutch in and rocked the car in gear, clutch still locked up.

Shifter in reverse, foot on brake, clutch pedal down and hit the starter. Clutch broke loose and all is normal again. Glad it went that way and I didn't wreck my flywheel or starter.

Hopefully this helps some poor soul searching in desperation in the future.

pbonsalb · 04-14-2019, 10:35 PM

What do you think happened? One of the discs fused to the flywheel or second plate?

Mvy · 04-15-2019, 08:11 AM

Im curious how long it will take to happen again. Post back to let us know.

mtx450 · 06-03-2019, 02:57 PM

Holy crap this is weird, same exact symptoms. I haven't tried to start it in gear yet, but I suppose I will give it shot and see if it frees up? My car has less then 30k miles so it's very odd. I was going to check/bleed the slave, but I suppose this is way easier.

rymerc · 06-08-2019, 09:06 AM

This issue has not recurred for me so far.

Without tearing everything down for inspection, I can only suppose that some rust or corrosion on the flywheel kept the clutch from disengaging. There was a distinctive noise when it broke free using the starter.

Just before my issue, I used some engine degreaser on the valve cover and rinsed it lightly, so some of that runoff must have gotten somewhere bad.

I've seen the exact same thing happen on an old ford tractor LOL.

mtx450 · 06-12-2019, 02:35 PM

Just an update here. I closed my eyes and started the car in gear with the clutch down. Relatively no drama, and everything was back to normal. The car shook ever so slightly and then all was well in the world. Very odd but I can only attribute this to water getting onto the clutch/flywheel somehow and it slightly rusting it together (similar to brake pads and rotors when you wash your car).

Cyril Sneer · 06-12-2019, 03:24 PM

For reference for anytime else having this issue ... I had the same symptoms (two days after buying the car) with one difference - once we starting pushing the car it started to leak fluid onto the ground. Fluid was coming from inboard and and behind the front DS wheel. Diagnosed as a faulty clutch master cylinder.

unL33T · 09-03-2021, 10:10 AM

I don't have an M3 so hopefully this isn't against the rules by adding this comment but I have the same issue with my 2007 X3 that comes up every 1-2 years.

Every time I have the clutch replaced and the mechanic says he doesn't know what the issue was because everything looks fine once taken out. Then it works for about 2 years on the new clutch and then it fails again. It's been replaced 3 times now and is currently failed again.

Tried a different mechanic (BMW specialist) for the issue once thinking it must be something else and I need someone with more knowledge but they also wanted to just replace the clutch except charge me 2-3 times as much as the other guy.

Last time my mechanic bypassed the hydraulic system by just shoving a rod into the slave cylinder hole and it still wouldn't fully disengage.

So stumped.

04-13-2019, 12:15 PM	#1
rymerc winner of many hpde trophies 47 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 08 e90 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: central ohio iTrader: (1)	Clutch won't disengage * fixed* 2008 70k miles. Clutch feels normal, can't shift into any gear with motor running. Pressing gently towards a gear position makes the car crawl as long as pressure is applied to the shifter. Shifter moves fine with engine off. No crunching or grinding noises, no noises when clutch is depressed with motor running or stopped. Fluid level is normal and clean. Bled the slave cylinder, fluid was clean and clutch pumped up fine, but no change. Anything specific I'm overlooking before I drop the trans? Can't believe I'd have throwout bearing or slave failure already. Drove normally the day before, didn't make any throwout bearing or other non m3 noises (I've driven a few of them). Last edited by rymerc; 04-14-2019 at 06:11 PM.. Reason: fixed update
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04-13-2019, 03:08 PM	#2
Mvy Captain 541 Rep 979 Posts Drives: 2008 E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: GA Peach iTrader: (0)	You prob need a new clutch. Mine did the creeping,more like lurching thing when I needed a new one. Get ready as on the 08 you also have to replace the flywheel as the replacement clutch part is not compatible with the 08 flywheel. Its pricey. __________________ Harrop Supercharger, BPM Tune, K/W Coil over kit, Stoptek BBK, Magnaflow exhaust, ear to ear grin everytime I drive...
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04-13-2019, 08:08 PM	#3
amrazM mTekMods 2142 Rep 2,902 Posts Drives: like a granny. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Manhatan iTrader: (1)	Yeah if you put the clutch in and the car is creeping it’s not disengaging. If the master and slave cylinder are in good spec then you need a clutch.
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04-14-2019, 06:15 PM	#4
rymerc winner of many hpde trophies 47 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 08 e90 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: central ohio iTrader: (1)	Decided to try a little gamble before spending the $750 for a flywheel and clutch kit and facing the 1-time-use bolts and rusted, sheared-fastener-misery ahead. Held the clutch in and rocked the car in gear, clutch still locked up. Shifter in reverse, foot on brake, clutch pedal down and hit the starter. Clutch broke loose and all is normal again. Glad it went that way and I didn't wreck my flywheel or starter. Hopefully this helps some poor soul searching in desperation in the future.
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04-14-2019, 10:35 PM	#5
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5234 Rep 10,616 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	What do you think happened? One of the discs fused to the flywheel or second plate?
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04-15-2019, 08:11 AM	#6
Mvy Captain 541 Rep 979 Posts Drives: 2008 E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: GA Peach iTrader: (0)	Im curious how long it will take to happen again. Post back to let us know. __________________ Harrop Supercharger, BPM Tune, K/W Coil over kit, Stoptek BBK, Magnaflow exhaust, ear to ear grin everytime I drive...
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06-03-2019, 02:57 PM	#7
mtx450 Lieutenant 169 Rep 548 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Holy crap this is weird, same exact symptoms. I haven't tried to start it in gear yet, but I suppose I will give it shot and see if it frees up? My car has less then 30k miles so it's very odd. I was going to check/bleed the slave, but I suppose this is way easier.
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06-08-2019, 09:06 AM	#8
rymerc winner of many hpde trophies 47 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 08 e90 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: central ohio iTrader: (1)	This issue has not recurred for me so far. Without tearing everything down for inspection, I can only suppose that some rust or corrosion on the flywheel kept the clutch from disengaging. There was a distinctive noise when it broke free using the starter. Just before my issue, I used some engine degreaser on the valve cover and rinsed it lightly, so some of that runoff must have gotten somewhere bad. I've seen the exact same thing happen on an old ford tractor LOL.
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06-12-2019, 02:35 PM	#9
mtx450 Lieutenant 169 Rep 548 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Just an update here. I closed my eyes and started the car in gear with the clutch down. Relatively no drama, and everything was back to normal. The car shook ever so slightly and then all was well in the world. Very odd but I can only attribute this to water getting onto the clutch/flywheel somehow and it slightly rusting it together (similar to brake pads and rotors when you wash your car).
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06-12-2019, 03:24 PM	#10
Cyril Sneer Private First Class 149 Rep 161 Posts Drives: E36 M3/4/5 / E91 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	For reference for anytime else having this issue ... I had the same symptoms (two days after buying the car) with one difference - once we starting pushing the car it started to leak fluid onto the ground. Fluid was coming from inboard and and behind the front DS wheel. Diagnosed as a faulty clutch master cylinder.
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09-03-2021, 10:10 AM	#11
unL33T Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW X3, 1987 Porsche 944 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I don't have an M3 so hopefully this isn't against the rules by adding this comment but I have the same issue with my 2007 X3 that comes up every 1-2 years. Every time I have the clutch replaced and the mechanic says he doesn't know what the issue was because everything looks fine once taken out. Then it works for about 2 years on the new clutch and then it fails again. It's been replaced 3 times now and is currently failed again. Tried a different mechanic (BMW specialist) for the issue once thinking it must be something else and I need someone with more knowledge but they also wanted to just replace the clutch except charge me 2-3 times as much as the other guy. Last time my mechanic bypassed the hydraulic system by just shoving a rod into the slave cylinder hole and it still wouldn't fully disengage. So stumped.
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