Clutch Problem?
 

Hello,

I hope I have not broken any rules by just signing up and posting a new thread if I have I do apologise.

Any way I have just bought a 1997 bmw 316ti. It has done 155,000 but with full service history (last service done 6000 miles ago)

Well it is the first BMW I have owned and only my second car so forgive me if I sound like a 'noob' because I am to be honest.

Well done about 150 miles in the car and all seems fine apart from a couple of things, a bit bumpy and makes a noise when on full lock etc.

Well to get to the point the car just revved when i put my foot down in 5th and didn't seem to go any where. In 1st 2nd and 3rd and 4th all seemed ok. But I was in 5th doing about 35mph and put foot on accelerator and just revved and didn’t move unless I lowered the gears and started accelerating slowly but soon as gave it a bit of beans just revved and did not move.

The car starts ok and drives ok as long as I gradually build up speed but soon as put foot just revs.

Is the clutch on its way out?

Sorry for the essay just wanted to get in as much detail as possible.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Regards

Gary

You wont feel any pulling power from 5th gear imo.. I would not use 5th to accelerate just maintain speed eg: cruse @ 50 mph+ other wise its just stressing out the engine.

You are wrong, everybody accelerates in 5th, you don't have to downshift every time you want to increase your speed a bit, yes if you want to have more power then you will want to downshift. It's not hard on the engine... okay... end rant...

But OP *Original Poster* you are correct, you need a clutch! Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

seriously 5th @ 35mph ?

Well if he is below 1800 rpm in 5th than I suppose your right, i'd keep it above 1900rpm's in the 4 cyl. Depends on his differential too, who knows. Yes lugging an engine is bad, but it all depends on throttle position, load, and too low of rpm's.

Granted if he is getting clutch slip at x amount of rpms in 5th that's a very blown clutch!