Have Your Failing Clutch Diagnosed By Certified BMW Technicians in Jeffersonville

Your BMW requires a device called the clutch to harness the power of your engine into rotational energy for your wheels. The clutch is a complicated device with a dizzying array of moving parts, so, unfortunately, it is prone to many different ailments. We are going to explain the symptoms and results of various clutch problems and tell you how we can help.

Clutch Malfunctions Reach Beyond the Transmission

Sometimes, a clutch problem will cause observable deficiencies in your BMW’s ability to operate. If you want your BMW to retain its explosive yet smooth acceleration and agile steering, we would suggest addressing these problems promptly to avoid any further damage.

Slow starts and a racing engine may occur because of an issue known as clutch slippage. If you drive a stick shift, you might notice unusually fast action in your clutch pedal. In fact, for stick-shift drivers, AxleAddict has an easy diagnostic test for clutch slippage.

Start the engine and engage the emergency brake. Depress the clutch pedal. Shift into second or third gear and rev the engine to about 2500 rpm. Slowly release the clutch pedal. The engine should stall; if it does not, the clutch is slipping.

Even if you drive an automatic transmission, there may be other ways to see if your starting problem is the result of clutch slippage. Notably, a burning odor is a telltale sign of clutch slippage. Clutches are most likely to slip on vehicles driven in heavy traffic, vehicles with efficient engines, vehicles with new clutch systems, and vehicles with non-self-adjusting systems.

Trouble Reversing

If you are struggling to shift your BMW into reverse, the culprit may have to do with your clutch. You may have a linkage malfunction or a damaged clutch plate, for example.

Failure to Switch Gears

If you are having trouble getting your BMW into gear, the problem may have to do with a low fluid level or faulty master and slave cylinders (only manual transmissions have a slave cylinder). Obviously, this will make it difficult to accelerate, and your BMW might drive poorly – a very good reason to get the problem checked out.

Noise Problems

Even if your BMW appears to be working fine, certain sounds might reflect a clutch issue, and you should address them before the problem becomes one that actually undermines your car’s ability to drive. Many of these are especially noticeable in stick shifts.

Clutch-Pedal Noises: If you drive a stick shift, you may hear certain noises because of problems with your clutch. When you turn the engine off, a faulty clutch may result in noise after releasing or depressing the clutch pedal. The noise will often come from the clutch-release mechanism. This is likely to occur when lubricant dries up, causing parts to scrape against one another.
Noises in Neutral: If your transmission is noisy in neutral, but not when you depress the clutch pedal, the issue may be a worn-out input shaft bearing.
Noises When Pushing the Pedal: A bad clutch may result in what AxleAddict describes as “squealing” or “growling.” Unsurprisingly, this is a bad thing. The problem may be your release bearing or pilot bearing, and you can determine which one. A slight depression of the clutch pedal will cause noise if it comes from the release bearing, while a bad pilot bearing will only make noise when the pedal nears the floor.
Grinding Noise When Shifting Gears: If a gear shift causes a grinding sound, you might have a problem called a dragging clutch, which occurs when the friction or clutch disk gets stuck.

Other Problems with Clutch Pedals: For manual-transmission drivers, clutch problems may cause a variety of symptoms, all of which are cause for consulting a professional mechanic. They include the following:

vibrating clutch pedal, sometimes with jerky acceleration
pulsating or wobbling clutch pedal
stiffness when trying to push clutch pedal
clutch pedal staying on the floor
clutch pedal feeling loose
resistance lessening the further you push down on the pedal

How We Can Help

We would highly suggest having your BMW’s BMW Clutch Inspection clutch pedal diagnosed and, if necessary, fixed by our experts at Mike Johns Imports, located in Jeffersonville, IN. We are proud to serve areas including Crestwood, Hurstbourne, Jeffersontown, Louisville, and St. Matthews. Call us today for a convenient appointment.