Clutch to the floor, leaking through transmission?

[Sarstan]

Hi guys. '91 318is here with what looks to be a pretty bad leak. I was going to bleed the clutch fluid today since I thought a different leak (the plugs under the reservoir were done) left bubbles in the system. I got under and the slave cylinder bleeder screw was dry, even so much that I could completely remove the thing.
At first I thought the thing was so dry it was only air in there, but after a few pumps and openings of the screw, I got a steady leak forming between the transmission and the engine block.
I'm not even going to act like I know what's going on. Am I looking at pulling the transmission off and replacing a seal and a new clutch in the process?

[DesktopDave]

Sounds like you need a new slave cylinder. The slave's inner seal has failed and is leaking brake fluid into the bell housing each time you pump the clutch pedal - you're seeing that fluid draining from between the engine & tranny.  New slaves are cheap - maybe $30 brand new? I'd consider replacing both the master and slave, as it's an irritating job to do twice.

You can easily check the slave cylinder. Remove the two small bolts that secure the slave cyl to the tranny & check for any fluid leaking from the inner seal. If the slave is working properly there will be no trace of any fluid on the slave cyl inner seal, bellows or pushrod (a bit of black powdery clutch residue is OK though). I would avoid pressing the clutch pedal while the clutch slave was unbolted from the bell housing...I'm not sure there is a captive ring inside the slave cyl bore...

BTW, water is an excellent cleaner for spilled brake fluid. Be relatively quick about cleanup - like less than an hour - as brake fluid is rough on both plastic and paint.

[Beeker1972]

yeah i agree .....

[dwf08]

Did you every figure out the prob? I think I'm having the same prob

[DesktopDave]

Yep, you are. I posted some advice in your other thread.