Clutch not releasing 08 GSA

[Bendy toy]

After having problems with clutch drag some weeks ago, I replaced the clutch slave cylinder, stripped and rebuild master cylinder. When done, there still seemed to bit too much "slack" at the lever but bleeding was moving clear fluid and it was much improved.

Today I was doing a lot of town and small lane driving and clutch operation got steadily worse. I rode home with effectively no clutch release. Knocking into neutral while rolling to a traffic light is far from easy when the clutch isn't opening.

What is the collective opinion? Do I need a new master cylinder? I already have a new slave cylinder.
BMW do not sell seal repair kits does anyone know of a replacement that will work?


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[G5RJO]

Did you have the recall done some time ago?

Rerouting of the clutch line as it was getting overheated and boiling the fluid.

From memory it was just a cable tie or two.

Lots of town work could cause it...

Roger,

 

[Bendy toy]

Thanks Roger, I wasnt aware of that one. I'll have a look the engine certainly got well warmed today.

Just in case it is the master cylinder/pump - will a late model such as twin cam fit this bike? Its the Mk2 face lifted version.

 

[Steptoe]

I'll get the obvious question out the way first, no offence intended as you know what you're doing and I fully expect you to have used the correct fluid, but just need to ask to be sure

What fluid did you use.

 

[Bendy toy]

No worries

I used the expensive BMW branded mineral oil clutch fluid bought from Motorworks. I did have a few fine bubbles escaping into the reservoir while bleeding but they eventually stopped. I also tied the lever back overnight - trick that seems to work with brakes.

I also have a clutch rattle in neutral that stops in gear. I'm told that's likely to be excessive endfloat in the gearbox input shaft. The clutch works fine with no slipping (ever in my care) and no judder. When it does release there is no release bearing noise.

 

[Bendy toy]

The plot thickens -maybe.
This morning, I opened the clutch reservoir - dry as a witch's !!!
But no oil on garage floor and no clag on swing arm and no stain on exhaust pipe. WT?
I've topped it up, bled the system into a syringe. All is now flowing clear and I have a clutch again.
Next job is to get some Dowty washers for the slave cylinder banjo. Unless the new slave has failed.
The hose runs around headstock under the tele-lever arm then clipped to frame near right foot peg and loops up to slave cylinder. I don't know the recall data, but can't see it getting too hot like that.




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[Popell]

Sounding like the new slave may be suspect - can the fluid disappear inside the housing rather than showing a witness outside?

 

[Bendy toy]

I have wondered that but the loss of clutch action was why I changed the slave. The original was dry though that's no certainty the new one is ok.


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[Bendy toy]

Well - it's definitely the banjo. It's now quite oily though surprisingly the bike isn't oil splattered.
Now off to get some Dowty washers.


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