M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: achtungE30 on May 02, 2008, 07:53:15 AM

Title: Clutch feeling spongy, engagement is now all abrupt
Post by: achtungE30 on May 02, 2008, 07:53:15 AM
The car sat a couple of days since I last drove it. This morning, I get in and as I immediately get to pull out of my spot, i'm surprised that as soon as I let off the clutch, its already engaging the gear.

Just stepping on the clutch feels very spongy all of a sudden, as if it were a race clutch. It took a little getting used to, but I made it to work in one piece.
Is this a sign of the clutch going out or am I losing hydraulic fluid?

Can anyone tell me what's wrong?
Title: Clutch feeling spongy, engagement is now all abrupt
Post by: Cobra Jet on May 02, 2008, 09:20:38 AM
Have you checked the clutch slave cylinder?  It's possible the slave cylinder OR the line going to it is bad.
Title: Clutch feeling spongy, engagement is now all abrupt
Post by: achtungE30 on May 02, 2008, 02:28:43 PM
OK well this is a new one on me... dude8383 (Denis) recommended me to check my brake fluid - and I know I have a small brake fluid leak. Well it took nearly 3/4 of a standard dot3 bottle from a gas station to top off, then after pumping the clutch pedal a few times, the catch point is back to where it was and alot easier to drive again.

Who woulda thunk??
Title: Clutch feeling spongy, engagement is now all abrupt
Post by: haledj on May 02, 2008, 02:52:09 PM
:eek::eek:

You should find that leak and get it fixed
Title: Clutch feeling spongy, engagement is now all abrupt
Post by: Jimmy Lewis on May 02, 2008, 08:45:58 PM
Yeah I had the same issue, leaking fluid and it was actually leaking within the slave cylinder . I replaced the slave and it fixed the leak and the issue, I too could top off the brake fluid and it would temporarily fix the car, namely get me home from wherever I was, to the point where I had to remove my clutch stop and put the pedal to the floor completely before changing gears, to avoid grinding. Maybe your issue is different, this is my experience with it, my two cents.