Shifting after the clutch install

After the clutch install, I can't shift when the car is on. What is up with that?

I definitely heard air go in when I pulled out the slave cylinder, so I bled it and I saw bubbles come out through the clear tubing.

Anyone have an idea what's going on?

Well, it seems the clutch won't disengage but not sure exactly why. Could possibly still be air in the slave or a problem with the TO bearing. What clutch/flywheel setup is this?

Originally Posted by TxZHP04

Well, it seems the clutch won't disengage but not sure exactly why. Could possibly still be air in the slave or a problem with the TO bearing. What clutch/flywheel setup is this?

Details:
We did about 5 clutch pedal pumps worth of bleeding.
TO is new, new stock flywheel, new UUC Performance Organic Clutch

Also new plastic nub, release lever, spring clip, guide tube

It's simply difficult to bleed, that's all.

I think on the 330Ci I had to do it in 2 good sessions 1 day apart to get it 100%.

One thing I found to help was taking the slave cylinder off the transmission housing, and letting it just hang down with the bleed valve open allowing gravity to do it's thing.

Originally Posted by PEI330Ci

It's simply difficult to bleed, that's all.

I think on the 330Ci I had to do it in 2 good sessions 1 day apart to get it 100%.

One thing I found to help was taking the slave cylinder off the transmission housing, and letting it just hang down with the bleed valve open allowing gravity to do it's thing.

Man I hope that's it!
That's what it says to do in TIS actually^
They show a tool that loads the plunger during bleeding - did you use any such thing?

EDIT: Hmm on second read it looks like you opened the valve, let it hang, and walked away between bleeds...yes...I see...

In order to minimize the number of 20 degree clutch bleeding sessions, and give myself time to focus on Christmas shopping while I wait for it , I ordered the Bavauto Clutch bleeder tool (they're close so I should have it in a day or two). According to TIS, something like this will allow me to get a good bleed in one fell swoop.

That's a slick tool....I wish I had one.

What ever you do, don't push on the clutch pedal with the slave cylinder removed from the transmission housing. You'll do that only once, before hitting your head against the steering wheel multiple times. (It pops the plunger out)

we're both having clutch problems. In fact, it seems like an epidemic lately on this forum...

Originally Posted by PEI330Ci

That's a slick tool....I wish I had one.

What ever you do, don't push on the clutch pedal with the slave cylinder removed from the transmission housing. You'll do that only once, before hitting your head against the steering wheel multiple times. (It pops the plunger out)

Yup...I know that from experience Its fixable...you have to pry the little fingers on the washer up, install it and then push all of the fingers back down.

That tool would make like much easier. I would have gotten it a month ago except for the $30 shipping charge to an APO.

I am going through the same thing except I have now pulled the transmission twice and it still doesn't work. I have bled it over and over, and I think maybe I have a bad master clutch cylinder or a defective clutch. Oddest thing. Can't drive my car right now, SO frustrated.

having experienced a lot of fail with this system, I think your entire system is bled properly and it's nowhere near the fault of any hydraulics... that's just my very pessimistic expectation, and if indeed it is, pm me

btw, baller tool find, i'm getting one

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

we're both having clutch problems. In fact, it seems like an epidemic lately on this forum...

Originally Posted by bluejeansonfire

having experienced a lot of fail with this system, I think your entire system is bled properly and it's nowhere near the fault of any hydraulics... that's just my very pessimistic expectation, and if indeed it is, pm me

is this directed at me or franz?

Originally Posted by bluejeansonfire

btw, baller tool find, i'm getting one

After bleeding the slave cylinder on my E36 325i in like 2003 I actually remember swearing I'd get the tool if I came across the situation again

What pressure plate did you use?

Originally Posted by cyberkaa

What pressure plate did you use?

oh yeah, I left that out: the one that came with the clutch

Originally Posted by McSpeed

oh yeah, I left that out: the one that came with the clutch

Oh, ok, just checking. Installing a self-adjusting clutch incorrectly can cause shifting problems, but I'm pretty sure your UUC kit should have a non-SAC pressure plate. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Is the slave cylinder rod seated correctly? If you haven't taken it off to check, I recommend you do.

Originally Posted by cyberkaa

Oh, ok, just checking. Installing a self-adjusting clutch incorrectly can cause shifting problems, but I'm pretty sure your UUC kit should have a non-SAC pressure plate. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Yeah it's non-SAC.

Originally Posted by cyberkaa

Is the slave cylinder rod seated correctly? If you haven't taken it off to check, I recommend you do.

I felt resistance when bolting it in but I didn't exactly look where it was going. However I figure that even if it were hung up on the lip of the release lever somehow, it would actually help the clutch release sooner than normal, no?

Also, when I first put the transmission back on, I bolted the slave on and pushed the clutch in to relieve any strain from slight misalignment before I torqued everything down. When I pushed the pedal in there was a nice kerchunk noise of the clutch settling into a more comfortable position.

And also also, if I shift into first while it's off and then start the car (clutch is depressed), there's a reeaaarr noise until I turn the key to off - the car doesn't just stall - which implies that the clutch is partially disengaged, which implies that the slave cylinder plunger is pushing against something.

So yeah I think it's good, but I'll make sure I can feel it seated properly in the release lever before I bolt it back on.

Originally Posted by McSpeed

Yeah it's non-SAC.



I felt resistance when bolting it in but I didn't exactly look where it was going. However I figure that even if it were hung up on the lip of the release lever somehow, it would actually help the clutch release sooner than normal, no?

Also, when I first put the transmission back on, I bolted the slave on and pushed the clutch in to relieve any strain from slight misalignment before I torqued everything down. When I pushed the pedal in there was a nice kerchunk noise of the clutch settling into a more comfortable position.

And also also, if I shift into first while it's off and then start the car (clutch is depressed), there's a reeaaarr noise until I turn the key to off - the car doesn't just stall - which implies that the clutch is partially disengaged, which implies that the slave cylinder plunger is pushing against something.

Ok, starting to get a clearer picture now. Thinking the slave cylinder rod is probably aligned ok in that case and I'm going back to thinking it's just air in the system.

The coolest bleeding method I've seen is one where you pump fluid up through the slave cylinder instead of trying to force (much lighter) air down.

Originally Posted by cyberkaa

Ok, starting to get a clearer picture now. Thinking the slave cylinder rod is probably aligned ok in that case and I'm going back to thinking it's just air in the system.

That's what I like to hear

Originally Posted by cyberkaa

The coolest bleeding method I've seen is one where you pump fluid up through the slave cylinder instead of trying to force (much lighter) air down.

And how pray tell?
Like a dealership fancy-machine?

Originally Posted by McSpeed

That's what I like to hear



And how pray tell?
Like a dealership fancy-machine?

Nope. Just an oil can and a bit of clear tubing.

I was thinking I'd get my girlfriend to help out again with the clutch pedal, but is there any big advantage to using a power bleeder? I'd rather not have to clean out the power bleeder unless it's gonna revolutionize the way I look at clutch bleeding- but if it's called for, it's called for.

Originally Posted by cyberkaa

Nope. Just an oil can and a bit of clear tubing.

lol is there a thread on it?

Originally Posted by McSpeed

I was thinking I'd get my girlfriend to help out again with the clutch pedal, but is there any big advantage to using a power bleeder? I'd rather not have to clean out the power bleeder unless it's gonna revolutionize the way I look at clutch bleeding- but if it's called for, it's called for.



lol is there a thread on it?

Starts at 3:10.