Is This A Clutch Problem? - BMW Forum

frank3 · 11-10-2004, 11:01 AM

Am I having a problem with my clutch, or am I just a lousy driver?

When taking off from first gear at a stop, my clutch will lug/chatter a little. After that, all shifts are fine. If I rev the engine a bit and slowly slip the clutch in, then there will be no chatter...but I know that I'm revving the engine too high and this is not normal.

My other manual transmission car is an MGB and I don't have this problem at all, so I'm guessing it's not my driving.

Any suggestions on what might be wrong? Maybe not the clutch, but I'm not getting enough power on initial accelleration?

Car has just under 68,000 mi on it.

Please tell me it's a simple fix and I'm not in need of a clutch job.

xsperf · 11-10-2004, 06:24 PM

nope, that actually means ur clutch is very very strong... because ur clutch isnt slipping too much.

but it can be ur driving because different cars have different engaugment points in which the clutch starts to grab...

BLACKBMW · 11-11-2004, 04:12 AM

I had the exact same problem - when yuo try to pull away in 1st the car lurches - then you put it in 2nd gear and it is fine...

My problem was that the rubber boot had a split in it - the boot connects the throttle body and the air sensor

Because 1st gear means getting the car going from a standstill there is more pressure on the engine and greater induction - this was forcing the split open and sucking too much air into the engine - then when you change into 2nd the pressure wasnt so great so the split closed up and she drove like normal

Also, I once found that a hose connector on the throttle body had come apart slightly and I had the same symptoms - lurching in first gear

I would suggest you check ALL you air hoses and take off the rubber boot and check it - both these checks are easy - my boot had a split in the bottom and could only be seen once I took the boot off

It cost me £10 ($18) to repair - the dealer wanted $700 for a new throttle body and oxygen sensor + labour!

If you search this site and put in "boot" and search the E36 section you should be able to find my posts about this.

It may not be the same problem you have but the symptoms sound EXACTLY the same...hope this helps

J...

frank3 · 11-11-2004, 12:12 PM

BlackBMW, thanks.

When you say "boot", what are you referring to?

frank3 · 11-11-2004, 05:16 PM

OK - if the boot is the rubberthingy that goes from the throttle body to the air filter housing...mine is not cracked. However, as I'm digging around in there I see tons of vacuum hoses. Not sure where they all go, but they sure seem stiff.

I've changed the plugs and the air filter...so I think this may be a vacuum leak that affects me most on initial load/accelleration and that's why it seems like the clutch is stumbling.

Guess I need to by a Hayne's manual to figure out how to change all the vacuum hoses. Even if this doesn't fix problem, I'm sure these hoses need changing anyway.

737NG Driver · 11-21-2004, 11:16 AM

Hello everyone!

I'm new on this forum.

Question for Frank3, does the clutch always make this noise, or does it happen after the engine has warmed up?

My '92 320i coupe also has makes some strange 'clanking noises, but this only happens after long stop-and-go driving and does not appear to be related to the air intake system.

Greetings from Europe!

737NG

thekid · 11-21-2004, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by frank3@Nov 11 2004, 05:16 PM
OK - if the boot is the rubberthingy that goes from the throttle body to the air filter housing...mine is not cracked. However, as I'm digging around in there I see tons of vacuum hoses. Not sure where they all go, but they sure seem stiff.

I've changed the plugs and the air filter...so I think this may be a vacuum leak that affects me most on initial load/accelleration and that's why it seems like the clutch is stumbling.

Guess I need to by a Hayne's manual to figure out how to change all the vacuum hoses. Even if this doesn't fix problem, I'm sure these hoses need changing anyway.

[snapback]228914[/snapback]

I am pretty sure it would not be vaccum hoses, I had one leaking and all it did was flat spot my acceleration. The car would pull to about 3.5k rpms and then not accelerate as fast until a bit over 5k rpms. So the point is you can definately tell a vaccum leak. Perhaps give it more gas as you are beginging to move perhaps that will take out the lurch ie, more gas as you take the clutch out, but not reving before you do.

93 325i · 11-22-2004, 07:57 AM

Was at the NY Giants game yesterday and in the heavy stop & go (mostly stop) traffic, my clutch was doing the same. Chattering and vibrating.. i noticed that if i kept the clutch pedal down while in traffic it would chatter and if i put it in neutral and stayed off the clutch it would be fine upon next startout. In my case tho i assume my clutch is getting weak- car has 128K, but the fact that it is fine in everyother driving condition makes me wonder how much life is really left on the clutch..

737NG Driver · 11-22-2004, 09:41 AM

Right,

I´ve been surfing the internet and found a German site where ´zee same problem´ is discussed.

Here´s the link for anyone who speaks German. According to HANIBAL07´s reply you have to change both clutch (Kuplung) and flywheel. (schwungscheibe)

Some others contributed that this chattering noise is a typical E36 BMW problem.

Any thoughts/inputs from anyone?

Ciao

frank3 · 11-22-2004, 10:13 AM

My problem is constant...not just when car is cold or hot. Also, problem is only on take off from first gear. It's like the car doesn't have enough power to take off - so I have to rev the engine more than what would be normal to keep the clutch from shuddering. And, no, I'm pretty sure it's not my driving...I have other manual transmissions where I don't have this problem.

If you guys don't think it's a vacuum leak (I've changed plugs, and air filter to no avail), could it be some computer problem that needs resetting, or maybe a clogged fuel filter?

thekid · 11-22-2004, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by frank3@Nov 22 2004, 10:13 AM
My problem is constant...not just when car is cold or hot. Also, problem is only on take off from first gear. It's like the car doesn't have enough power to take off - so I have to rev the engine more than what would be normal to keep the clutch from shuddering. And, no, I'm pretty sure it's not my driving...I have other manual transmissions where I don't have this problem.

If you guys don't think it's a vacuum leak (I've changed plugs, and air filter to no avail), could it be some computer problem that needs resetting, or maybe a clogged fuel filter?

[snapback]235223[/snapback]

you would notice the fuel filter much like you would the vaccum leak, also you would have a hard time starting the car. Have you tried just pushing down on the pedal faster as you are taking the clutch out? It's not a knock on your driving style, but each manual tranny car has its own needs, maybe yours just needs a little more push on the gas pedal from the stand still.

frank3 · 11-22-2004, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thekid+Nov 22 2004, 10:30 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(thekid @ Nov 22 2004, 10:30 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-frank3@Nov 22 2004, 10:13 AM
My problem is constant...not just when car is cold or hot.* Also, problem is only on take off from first gear.* It's like the car doesn't have enough power to take off - so I have to rev the engine more than what would be normal to keep the clutch from shuddering.* And, no, I'm pretty sure it's not my driving...I have other manual transmissions where I don't have this problem.

If you guys don't think it's a vacuum leak (I've changed plugs, and air filter to no avail), could it be some computer problem that needs resetting, or maybe a clogged fuel filter?

[snapback]235223[/snapback]

you would notice the fuel filter much like you would the vaccum leak, also you would have a hard time starting the car. Have you tried just pushing down on the pedal faster as you are taking the clutch out? It's not a knock on your driving style, but each manual tranny car has its own needs, maybe yours just needs a little more push on the gas pedal from the stand still.

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[/b][/quote]

You may be right, but my ego has me searching for a car problem rather than a problem with my driving!

Speedy-325is · 11-22-2004, 02:03 PM

i started hearing the same chattering after we put in my new engine. we also put in a new flywheel, release bearing, and clutch. the noise started then....but was never there before. it was s SACHEs kit, so i know its good, but i cant figure out why it does this......
it just is...

Mark

BLACKBMW · 11-25-2004, 11:07 AM

lol - someone else questioned my driving ability on here and then I found the split in the rubber boot - I have an advanced drivers license and been driving for 15 years so I knewit wasnt that!

It definitely sounds like an O2 problem to me - too much of it will make your car run rough and givingit more gas will only make it lurch and shudder more

Have you tried all the normal tests for a burnt out clutch?

frank3 · 11-25-2004, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BLACKBMW@Nov 25 2004, 10:07 AM
lol - someone else questioned my driving ability on here and then I found the split in the rubber boot - I have an advanced drivers license and been driving for 15 years so I knewit wasnt that!

It definitely sounds like an O2 problem to me - too much of it will make your car run rough and givingit more gas will only make it lurch and shudder more

Have you tried all the normal tests for a burnt out clutch?

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Normal tests? Do you mean starting off in 2nd?