Any car mechanics in the house?

[BigonaBianchi]

The clutch on my car isnt working. It has gone completly floppy and loose and I cannot select a gear. The engine starts fine but it's defo not going anywhere. The car was iced up this morning...could this be a brake/clutch fluid issue???

Its a BMW 318i

TIA for any helpful suggestions










Just dont ok lol!

 

[tyred]

Moisture in the clutch fluid frozen or a frozen cable (not sure which system BMW use)?

Could potentially be much more serious but more likely to be a problem with the clutch operating mechanism. I would guess BMW use a fluid clutch but could be wrong.

Wait and see if it thaws out. If so, change the clutch fluid. Otherwise it would need more investigation. Start with the simple things. Is there fluid in the system first of all?

Has the car been in regular use recently? If it wasn't driven for a few weeks or longer, sometimes the clutch plate can stick to the flywheel.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Thanks...

the car is is reasonably regular use..it was driven yesterday no problem.

 

[BrumJim]

Sounds like something broken in the clutch.

Contact your local garage. It will probably need to be rescued in to them, although it is possible to drive a car without a clutch, but getting the thing going and stopping at lights are the biggest problems.

Ice may just be coincidental.

 

[TonbridgeSteve]

Moisture in the clutch fluid frozen or a frozen cable (not sure which system BMW use)?

I'm anything but a mechanic but that was my first thought. I have had a similar problem with the accelerator cable on a previous car. It was working fine one day, the next day it had frozen and would not work. The day after it warmed up and was back working fine.

Hope it is something as simple and cheap as that for you!

 

[BigonaBianchi]

ok well its defo nothing to do with leaking fluid or frozen fluid. It's looking like a cylinder is buggered and the hydraulics have failed. Anybody got a BIG hammer??

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Hope it is something as simple and cheap as that for you!

A BMW, simple and cheap...hahaha

haha

ha

.

 

[very-near]

Get another one from a scrap yard if it 'is' the master cylinder on a car of that age. It isn't a massive problem to sort. My first thoughts were it was the thrust bearing gone.

 

[skudupnorth]

Clutch slave or master cylinders are favorite culprits,fluid should not freeze but will pass seals in either cylinders if they fail and not do it's job.The joys of motoring as i say everyday at work !

 

[Rhythm Thief]

How old is your car? If it's "of a certain age" it should be easy enough to pick a new master cylinder (if that's what it is) up from a scrap yard or ebay.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Ok well it's looking like a case of failed slave cylinder itus...damage seems to be limited to about £120 and am hoping it can be done today by cool blokey garage peeps..not good but could hav ebeen mor epainful I suppose.

Thanks for all your help chaps

 

[Jane Smart]

ok well its defo nothing to do with leaking fluid or frozen fluid. It's looking like a cylinder is buggered and the hydraulics have failed. Anybody got a BIG hammer??

No but I have a garage

Sorry to hear that you are having car troubles though seriously

 

[Globalti]

£120 for a clutch slave cylinder? Feckin' hell. They used to be about £20 on my Land Rover and I could change them lying underneath in 10 minutes.

If the slave has gone the master cylinder will go soon in sympathy.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Ok thats interesting thanks...he did say £30 parts rest labour...but I will ask about master stuff

 

[tyred]

I would definitely get a second hand one but I've always been a cheapskate. I would expect a complete car for £120....