Clutch slipping - going to dealer

bkrM3 · 01-18-2011, 10:05 AM

Hi guys

Stock e92 335i performance-wise (no tune) and the clutch is slipping on WOT pulls from 2,000-2,500 RPM in tall gears (3-6). The RPMs jump up and you can hear/feel the slip and then they come back down and the car resumes pulling.

I have a dealer appointment soon - how should they be testing my clutch?

It's impossible to detect this slipping under normal around-town driving. When I asked about this at a previous dealer visit I took a ride with a tech who rode with me, saw the RPMs oscillating like that, said it could be "turbo lag" and that he was watching my speed not my RPMs. W. T. F.

I have CPO warranty and extended maintenance (clutch is covered under extended maintenance) and I want to make sure I get this fixed properly.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

GeorgiaTech335coupe · 01-18-2011, 10:08 AM

Tell them to test the car doing a low rpm WOT pull in 5th. That's what I told them to do when I had mine replaced. That tech is an idiot if he thinks that is turbo lag.

bkrM3 · 01-18-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgiaTech335coupe

That tech is an idiot if he thinks that is turbo lag.

No kidding. I certainly didn't want him "fixing" it after that.

Thanks for the advice

Former_Boosted_IS · 01-18-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkr335

Hi guys

Stock e92 335i performance-wise (no tune) and the clutch is slipping on WOT pulls from 2,000-2,500 RPM in tall gears (3-6). The RPMs jump up and you can hear/feel the slip and then they come back down and the car resumes pulling.

I have a dealer appointment soon - how should they be testing my clutch?

It's impossible to detect this slipping under normal around-town driving. When I asked about this at a previous dealer visit I took a ride with a tech who rode with me, saw the RPMs oscillating like that, said it could be "turbo lag" and that he was watching my speed not my RPMs. W. T. F.

I have CPO warranty and extended maintenance (clutch is covered under extended maintenance) and I want to make sure I get this fixed properly.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Are you sure that is not the CDV?

bkrM3 · 01-18-2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Former_Boosted_IS

Are you sure that is not the CDV?

Yep. Removed it long ago

**edit ** correction - replaced it with a gutless one long ago.

Big Tom · 01-18-2011, 10:23 AM

This is why I don't like the eBay Clutch Stop...

bkrM3 · 01-18-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Tom

This is why I don't like the eBay Clutch Stop...

This is why I didn't like the original owner putting 31,000 miles on it in a year and a half in Delaware/Phila traffic with the stock CDV in.

Ebay clutch stop has no effect on how the clutch engages - simply removes a bit of extra pedal travel.

Shellacked135i · 01-18-2011, 10:53 AM

If its slipping in a 3rd gear pull, then have them replicate it in a 3rd gear pull. Simple enough.
The car has good torque down low, so 3 or 4th down low on the highway should get it to slip if its slipping.
If its only slipping on a 3-4 shift at WOT, then I would be hard pressed to tell them its slipping yet, cause they wont be going 100+ to see if its slipping. You would need to wait for it to get worse.
I cant believe the tech said turbo lag.... is he dumb?

techlogik · 01-18-2011, 10:58 AM

I assume to really be able to check it, they need to crack open the space and get a gauge on the plates for thickness and wear?

Shellacked135i · 01-18-2011, 11:06 AM

Oh and I would put back the CDV and take away the clutch stop. They will easily try to blame it on something you did if they can.

ES BMW · 01-18-2011, 11:19 AM

2nd on putting the stock CDV back in and the clutch stop. They can point at the stop and say that the clutch wasn't fully disengaging and this is why it's toast or they could get curious and check your CDV to make sure it's still stock.

bkrM3 · 01-18-2011, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My E90

2nd on putting the stock CDV back in and the clutch stop. They can point at the stop and say that the clutch wasn't fully disengaging and this is why it's toast or they could get curious and check your CDV to make sure it's still stock.

Yeah I thought about that but two things:

a) It's widely accepted at this point that the stock CDV actually increases clutch wear by introducing artificial "slip" and, as you know, in order to deny coverage they have to prove your part could plausibly have caused the problem. With the CDV removal (or modification - and btw the replacement looks exactly like OEM and has been in there for ages, no one will ever look at it), the effect is manifestly the opposite - it increases clutch life.

b) The clutch stop speaks for itself. It either interferes with the clutch disengaging or it doesnt. Mine doesn't. It's not some sort of variable like adding a tune that "might" cause premature wear.

********

Anyway, back to the original question - does anyone know if the dealer driving it on the road is the only way to test it?

Is there not some way to test how the clutch holds without getting on the highway and stepping on it? Or without disassembling it to check actual wear?

Shellacked135i · 01-18-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkr335

Yeah I thought about that but two things:

a) It's widely accepted at this point that the stock CDV actually increases clutch wear by introducing artificial "slip" and, as you know, in order to deny coverage they have to prove your part could plausibly have caused the problem. With the CDV removal (or modification - and btw the replacement looks exactly like OEM and has been in there for ages, no one will ever look at it), the effect is manifestly the opposite - it increases clutch life.

b) The clutch stop speaks for itself. It either interferes with the clutch disengaging or it doesnt. Mine doesn't. It's not some sort of variable like adding a tune that "might" cause premature wear.

********

Anyway, back to the original question - does anyone know if the dealer driving it on the road is the only way to test it?

Is there not some way to test how the clutch holds without getting on the highway and stepping on it? Or without disassembling it to check actual wear?

I wont pry too much, but what us as enthusiast accept, like clutch stop and CDV, BMW sees it as a modification, and its technically a modification which can interfere with the car, in this case the clutch.

They will quickly look to save a dime if they can, not to mention they will not have a tech putting in a clutch for a half a day. Ive worked at dealers for years including a SA at one point myself, again, if I was you, I would put back the CDV and stock clutch stop. In regards to your last question, IDK, but if the clutch is slipping its slipping on the road.

EastBayE90 · 01-18-2011, 12:32 PM

Shellacked135i is right a dealership will try to get out of doing a warranty replacement on the clutch if they can. Why give them a reason to turn you down. Take out the clutch stop at the very least before taking the car in. As far as testing the clutch for slippage there is a way. The car can be placed in gear preferably 3rd gear or 4th gear. With the e-brake pulled up and engaged act as if you were trying to slip the clutch and take off in 3rd gear or 4th. If the clutch is worn your rpm's will go up and you will almost be able to fully release the clutch. If the clutch is still in good shape it should kill the engine and stall out the car. Simple test just don't rev too hard and drop the clutch. Just smoothly release the clutch with light throttle.

01-18-2011, 10:05 AM	#1
bkrM3 Major 73 Rep 1,388 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Main Line iTrader: (9) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [9.50]	Clutch slipping - going to dealer - how should they test it? Hi guys Stock e92 335i performance-wise (no tune) and the clutch is slipping on WOT pulls from 2,000-2,500 RPM in tall gears (3-6). The RPMs jump up and you can hear/feel the slip and then they come back down and the car resumes pulling. I have a dealer appointment soon - how should they be testing my clutch? It's impossible to detect this slipping under normal around-town driving. When I asked about this at a previous dealer visit I took a ride with a tech who rode with me, saw the RPMs oscillating like that, said it could be "turbo lag" and that he was watching my speed not my RPMs. W. T. F. I have CPO warranty and extended maintenance (clutch is covered under extended maintenance) and I want to make sure I get this fixed properly. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks! __________________ E90 M3 Space/Fox/6MT E92 335i BSM/Saddle/6MT - Sold
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01-18-2011, 10:08 AM	#2
GeorgiaTech335coupe Lieutenant Colonel 76 Rep 1,883 Posts Drives: Black BMW 335i coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Tell them to test the car doing a low rpm WOT pull in 5th. That's what I told them to do when I had mine replaced. That tech is an idiot if he thinks that is turbo lag. __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(e90post.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.
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01-18-2011, 10:23 AM	#6
Big Tom Banned 57 Rep 1,054 Posts Drives: 335i n54 e92 MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Västerås iTrader: (0)	This is why I don't like the eBay Clutch Stop...
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01-18-2011, 10:53 AM	#8
Shellacked135i Banned 6 Rep 348 Posts Drives: 2010 135i, 09 335xi Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SoFla iTrader: (1)	If its slipping in a 3rd gear pull, then have them replicate it in a 3rd gear pull. Simple enough. The car has good torque down low, so 3 or 4th down low on the highway should get it to slip if its slipping. If its only slipping on a 3-4 shift at WOT, then I would be hard pressed to tell them its slipping yet, cause they wont be going 100+ to see if its slipping. You would need to wait for it to get worse. I cant believe the tech said turbo lag.... is he dumb?
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01-18-2011, 10:58 AM	#9
techlogik Lieutenant Colonel 70 Rep 1,565 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i Dravit Grey Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: FL iTrader: (2)	I assume to really be able to check it, they need to crack open the space and get a gauge on the plates for thickness and wear? __________________ 2020 M340i: Dravit Grey Mettalic. Loaded.
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01-18-2011, 11:06 AM	#10
Shellacked135i Banned 6 Rep 348 Posts Drives: 2010 135i, 09 335xi Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SoFla iTrader: (1)	Oh and I would put back the CDV and take away the clutch stop. They will easily try to blame it on something you did if they can.
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01-18-2011, 11:19 AM	#11
ES BMW Captain 68 Rep 883 Posts Drives: '12 E92 M3 ZCP 6MT Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Florida iTrader: (3)	2nd on putting the stock CDV back in and the clutch stop. They can point at the stop and say that the clutch wasn't fully disengaging and this is why it's toast or they could get curious and check your CDV to make sure it's still stock. __________________ '12 E92 M3 \| 6MT \| ZCP
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01-18-2011, 12:32 PM	#14
EastBayE90 Formerly (-(ellblazer420 48 Rep 703 Posts Drives: 07 E90 335i M/T, 15 F80 M3 DCT Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: SF East Bay, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335I E90 [8.84]	Shellacked135i is right a dealership will try to get out of doing a warranty replacement on the clutch if they can. Why give them a reason to turn you down. Take out the clutch stop at the very least before taking the car in. As far as testing the clutch for slippage there is a way. The car can be placed in gear preferably 3rd gear or 4th gear. With the e-brake pulled up and engaged act as if you were trying to slip the clutch and take off in 3rd gear or 4th. If the clutch is worn your rpm's will go up and you will almost be able to fully release the clutch. If the clutch is still in good shape it should kill the engine and stall out the car. Simple test just don't rev too hard and drop the clutch. Just smoothly release the clutch with light throttle.
	Appreciate 0 Quote