320i hydraulic clutch problems

[KeeperJones]

Hey guys I was hoping someone had a idea about my clutch problem. I have an 1983 stock 320i. I have a hydraulic clutch with a, I suspect, an easily identifiable problem. The brakes are fine and the system is not losing fluid. It started out that it would only loose pressure slowly when the clutch pedal was in the middle, NOT at the top or all the way depressed. Now it loses pressure very fast anywhere. I rebuilt the slave cylinder a couple years ago and it has been working great for that couple years.

The thing that makes it interesting is that if the pedal is not pushed, it will build back pressure on its own after a 30 seconds or a minute or so. I suspected a vacuum leak, but can't hear any air noises. I am really low on cash these days and can't really afford to have it fixed by someone else and I can't afford to fix things that don't need fixing right now. I am guessing that someone will know right off the bat what the problem is. I hope!

Thanks in advance for any help,

Keeper

 

[KC Ron Carter]

Clutch master

Yep the clutch master cylinder is bypassing the fluid.

There is no vacuum connection to the brakes.

Later,

 

[KeeperJones]

Thanks for the reply. Does that mean I have a leak in a line or is there a problem with the master cylinder? Any ideas on what to check or process to figure it out?

Thanks again,

Kevin

 

[KC Ron Carter]

Hmm,

Nothing to test or demonstrate.

The clutch master cylinder is a piston that is allowing the fluid to bypass the piston seal.

The fluid is normally sealed to the front side of the piston.

As the piston seal deteriorates or the cylinder wall it seals to is eaten by corrosion the fluid can bypass to the unpressurized side of the piston.

This is best described as the clutch release is allowed engage even with the pedal depressed.

Correction requires the master cylinder be overhauled or replaced.

This is not what I would consider a good DIY.

Later,

 

[KeeperJones]

Yep, I think your right. I was my bad for not looking. I just assumed that because the resevouir was the same as the brakes that it was the same system some how. If I would have looked a little closer I would have seen the seperate master cylinder. The slave cylinder leaked when it went bad, but I suppose it could be that as well. I will have to take a look at them.

Thanks again,

Keeper