cold clutch question - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

EdP · 25th March 2005, 17:45

Does anyone else notice a very pronounced difference in clutch engagement when the car is cold vs. fully warmed-up? During the first few miles of very gentle shifting, the clutch seems to need a full second or so to fully engage. When the car is warmed, this "delay" diminishes to nothing, except on some high rpm shifts where it's very brief, but discernable. Is this a function of the self-adjusting clutch mechanism, or the operating temp of the clutch material, or maybe both? Could it be a sign of a worn clutch? I'm at 31k miles.
Thanks for your thoughts.

jjc1843 · 26th March 2005, 06:15

Ed:

I see no difference in clutch engagement hot or cold. Cold the tranny is a real bear from 1st to 2nd.

Are you seeing actual RPM increases when you believe the clutch is not engaged? High RPM shifts, I would expect some clutch slipping, especially on hard shifts, but at cold,with baby shifts, no way.

Something is amiss, but I can't provide more guidance than that.

hudson · 26th March 2005, 08:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdP

Does anyone else notice a very pronounced difference in clutch engagement when the car is cold vs. fully warmed-up? During the first few miles of very gentle shifting, the clutch seems to need a full second or so to fully engage. When the car is warmed, this "delay" diminishes to nothing, except on some high rpm shifts where it's very brief, but discernable. Is this a function of the self-adjusting clutch mechanism, or the operating temp of the clutch material, or maybe both? Could it be a sign of a worn clutch? I'm at 31k miles.
Thanks for your thoughts.

Ed I feel no difference in mine hot or cold. You might have a clutch master cylinder or slave cylinder that is hanging up when it's cold, I've seen that happen before. Ask the person who works on your car to check those two items.

Hope this helps
Joe

EdP · 26th March 2005, 13:49

Thanks guys. I'm not seeing rising rpm after the clutch is engaged, except to the extent I'm applying throttle. Same is true when shifting gentling and when shifting at higher rpm. With might foot just off the pedal, the clutch seems to say -- wait a second, ok, I'm ready now. It's going to be hard for the dealer to duplicate without keeping the car overnight - guess I'll wait and see.

MEnthusiast · 26th March 2005, 14:35

Ed,
I have the same experience as the others- I don't notice a difference in the clutch engagement when the car is cold- but the transmission does like very slow and gentle shifts (especially from N-1-2) when cold. Some times I have to snick it into 3rd first to get everything to line up right... Because of this I am doing the clutch work slower because I know the shifts are occuring slower.

hudson · 26th March 2005, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdP

Thanks guys. I'm not seeing rising rpm after the clutch is engaged, except to the extent I'm applying throttle. Same is true when shifting gentling and when shifting at higher rpm. With might foot just off the pedal, the clutch seems to say -- wait a second, ok, I'm ready now. It's going to be hard for the dealer to duplicate without keeping the car overnight - guess I'll wait and see.

Ed the car definitely will need to be left overnight so the tech can drive it first thing in the AM. I think he'll find a clutch release or engagement problem. The transmission is a little stiff to shift in gear when cold

but it dosen't sound like your problem.

Joe