Worn Clutch?

[Deleted account 200502001]

Today I stalled twice on my way home from work , both whilst setting off at traffic lights in 1st gear. Both incidents happened within minutes of each other on a route I take every day, so I doubt it was me getting clutch control wrong?, So I'm wondering if my clutch is wearing out?

Each time after restarting and pulling away there was a distinctive burning clutch smell. Following the second instance, whilst holding the throttle steady in 3rd gear and going about 35/40mph the revs suddenly increased momentarily, and the gear number on the display disappeared. This happened twice in succession, and as the revs returned to normal the gear number returned to the display.

So, does this sound like a clutch issue? How big a job is it for a garage to repair/replace if it ends up failing on me? On some cars its a biggish job, but what about on a GSA? Are we talking a hefty bill?

(2009 GSA with 8,500 miles)

 

[birdseye]

A worn clutch wont normally cause stalling and it certainly wont cause the gear inicator number to disappear. The burning smell may well come from the clutch as you rev the nuts off in irritation and in an effort to make sure you dont stall again.

 

[Dellis]

Mine started slipping at 36,000. It's not a two minute job, took me around ten hours.

Dave

A few pics...

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

The burning smell may well come from the clutch as you rev the nuts off in irritation and in an effort to make sure you dont stall again.

Mmm, sounds about right I suppose.

Mine started slipping at 36,000. It's not a two minute job, took me around ten hours.

Dave

Fuck spiders !! Not a quick job then

 

[Dellis]

no but it's an easy job.

Dave

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

Id happily tow it to a certain mechanic/member on here. But out of interest, what would BMW charge to fit a new clutch? Or don't I want to know?

 

[Pukmeister]

Id happily tow it to a certain mechanic/member on here. But out of interest, what would BMW charge to fit a new clutch? Or don't I want to know?

IIRC I was quoted about £850 if my clutch was stripped/inspected under warranty and nothing was found to be wrong. The parts alone are £400 for some extortionate reason best known only to BWM and Sachs. I decided it was best to live with the odd intermittent clutch slip problem instead.

 

[Bendy toy]

Have you missed a zero off that mileage? At 8500 the engine should be hardly run in.
Check the clutch lever is not fouling hand guard.
Also check clutch reservoir is not over filled.
If that all looks ok, take off fuel tank and remove airbox/battery carrier you will see the black clutch housing cover. It's held by three screws.
Underneath you can see the flywheel and measure the clutch plate. Brand new 7mm. Service limit 4.5mm.
If problem is oil from gearbox again it should be clear.
The old VW boxer engines used the same clutch plate. Minimal mods needed to make it fit (allegedly).
Stalling could be anything
Rough fuel - maybe
Worn out plugs - unlikely
TPS needs a reset - quite possible.
Failed coils - unlikely but check they don't smell burnt
Hall sensor ore failing when hot.
Valve clearance closed up - unlikely but simple to check
Fuel pump controller. Quite possible

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

No missing zero, mileage is as stated.

I do sometimes struggle to get it into 1st gear when setting off at traffic lights etc, causing me to roll the bike back/forth before it will engage. I'll often I sit holding the clutch in for an easier get away. Is this a sign of the same problem?

 

[fuddy]

Today I stalled twice on my way home from work , both whilst setting off at traffic lights in 1st gear. Both incidents happened within minutes of each other on a route I take every day, so I doubt it was me getting clutch control wrong?, So I'm wondering if my clutch is wearing out?

Each time after restarting and pulling away there was a distinctive burning clutch smell. Following the second instance, whilst holding the throttle steady in 3rd gear and going about 35/40mph the revs suddenly increased momentarily, and the gear number on the display disappeared. This happened twice in succession, and as the revs returned to normal the gear number returned to the display.

So, does this sound like a clutch issue? How big a job is it for a garage to repair/replace if it ends up failing on me? On some cars its a biggish job, but what about on a GSA? Are we talking a hefty bill?

(2009 GSA with 8,500 miles)

You must do stunt shows to burn out a clutch in 8500 miles.
My 1200 has done 51k still on original clutch, and it works fine.

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

You must do stunt shows to burn out a clutch in 8500 miles.
My 1200 has done 51k still on original clutch, and it works fine.

Ive only done 2K of those miles, which make me doubt its the clutch. But today it had all the hallmarks of a worn clutch on a car. The random engine revving was the main concern, it was as if I was slipping the clutch. And why would the gear indicator disappear?

 

[Bendy toy]

Bleed the clutch hydraulics. Google "UKGSer R1200GS clutch fluid" for a sensible price supply.
My clutch banjo connection was leaking Dowty washers sealed it.

 

[Pukmeister]

You must do stunt shows to burn out a clutch in 8500 miles.
My 1200 has done 51k still on original clutch, and it works fine.

Not at all. My 2008 clutch has slipped (only occasionally) since 10,000 miles and other owners have had similar issues with similar age/model/mileage which suggests a batch of poor clutches or hydraulics.


Sent via my iThingumabob

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

Well I rode to work this morning without issue, but when getting off the bike there was a faint smell of clutch.

 

[Bendy toy]

Check the clutch lever for catching hand guard, fluid level and bleed hydraulics.

 

[Bendy toy]

Worn clutch causes fluid level to rise.