clutch problems

[goggstrotter]

hi again, down here now in india with our 2003 1150gs adventure and the the heat and busy traffic has caused the clutch to start playing up. when the bike is really hot in the city the clutch lever seems to lose pressure and once felt like it had lost all pressure. it feels better again when back on the move and cooling down but i fear that the clutch is going to fail me, bike has done 30000km and i need to know if anyone has experienced any similar problems and what the outcome was.

by the way i hit some telephone wires hanging in the road the other day and managed to survive, somehow, they nearly took my head off ?, driving here is like no where else on earth.

hope someone can give me some advice on the clutch, next BMW service will be in Thailand. thanks.

 

[newman7096]

Certainly not an expert but doesn't the clutch fluid have some kind of optimum temprature? A bit like brake fluid DOT 1,2,3,4,5 etc....!!

I of course could be talking complete Bo**ocks!

 

[goggstrotter]

i thought about that and shouldn't have BMW when they designed the bloody thing, these adventures are supposedly supposed to be able to travel the world

 

[newman7096]

Yep, Im struggling with british road salt over here!

Brakes keep seizing!

Thought this was a go anywhere machine!

 

[Greg Masters]

Certainly not an expert but doesn't the clutch fluid have some kind of optimum temprature?

I of course could be talking complete Bo**ocks!

DOT4 fluid has, when new, a maximum operating temperature of 550°C (could be 500°C - not sure just now). Even in the heat of India, I don't think that it gets that hot.

But unless you're using DOT5, your brake/clutch fluid will be absorbing moisture which dramatically reduces its boiling point. (You know the phrase Old brakes never die, they only fade away!).

The fluids should be changed every 2 years for that very reason. But if your clutch is fading, it could be that you have other problems associated with either your master cylinder or your slave cylinder. If you are not losing fluid, it's likely to be the master cylinder.

DO NOT bleed you clutch or brakes with washing-up liquid! It may be the same colour and feel similar, but it doesn't work very well and neither will your brakes - ever again!



Greg

 

[hops]

DOT4 fluid has, when new, a maximum operating temperature of 550°C (could be 500°C - not sure just now). Even in the heat of India, I don't think that it gets that hot.

Greg,

Sorry to p!ss on your strawberries but the boiling point of DOT4 fluid is about 230°C.

 

[Greg Masters]

Bollox!

I knew that there was a zero in the number somewhere!

That'd be

450°F for DOT4 and
500°F for DOT5

But the point I made is still valid!



Greg

 

[BlackBetty]

Yep, this is a common problem in the hotter climes when loaded and constantly feathering the clutch ....and one of the reasons for the shorter 1st gear on the ADV. However, a ceramic clutch for the 1150 has been developed in SA, I believe Touratech distribute it.

 

[Barrie]

I would try to bleed the clutch to see if that helps before you start to worry about the clutch it self.
Always try the simple things 1st
good luck from
Barrie

 

[goggstrotter]

hey thanks guys, that'll give me something to ponder over, next service is 30000km in thailand and i will try to get them to change the clutch fluid for free...... i mean this is a problem and it is under warranty, then we see how it goes.