Depress clutch, nothing happens

[themilkguy]

Hi folks,

Well, I'm finally to a point where I have some time to spend on the old girl.

1973 520

She has a dead battery after a winter of neglect, but aside from that when I pushed in on the clutch I can't feel any resistance other than the spring at the top of the pedal. Confirmed it today with a buddy pressing the clutch as I look down the engine bay.

The clutch (I assume now) is hydraulic? Is my inexperience showing yet? It's a rubber tube that turns into a small metal 90deg tube next to a bleeder or lubrication nipple. Hard to tell, she's not on jacks and the lighting was less than stellar.

Does anyone have any suggestions on troubleshooting this? I checked the FAQs without any luck, and finding a Chiltons/Haynes seems to be difficult. Any resources online? Perhaps a pdf file somewhere?

Input appreciated.

Thanks!
Craig

[Peter Florance]

Hi folks,

Well, I'm finally to a point where I have some time to spend on the old girl.

1973 520

She has a dead battery after a winter of neglect, but aside from that when I pushed in on the clutch I can't feel any resistance other than the spring at the top of the pedal. Confirmed it today with a buddy pressing the clutch as I look down the engine bay.

The clutch (I assume now) is hydraulic? Is my inexperience showing yet? It's a rubber tube that turns into a small metal 90deg tube next to a bleeder or lubrication nipple. Hard to tell, she's not on jacks and the lighting was less than stellar.

Does anyone have any suggestions on troubleshooting this? I checked the FAQs without any luck, and finding a Chiltons/Haynes seems to be difficult. Any resources online? Perhaps a pdf file somewhere?

Input appreciated.

Thanks!
Craig

Most likely the clutch master cylinder. Make sure you get 11mm flare wrench and treat the threads on the hose fitting with PB Blast or equal in advance of the repair.

Not too expensive (consider doing the slave at the same time)

[Mike W.]

Rule of thumb that's almost always right, if it's using fluid, it's the slave, if it's not using fluid, it's the master. Masters bypass internally and bleed off back to the reservoir, slaves only have one seal, so if it's leaking, it's leaking fluid, usually onto the ground.

[themilkguy]

Food for thought... Thanks guys, I'll look into a rebuild kit.

Related note: I found a Chilton BMW: Coupes and Sedans 1970-88 that covers the North American 5-series as well as a myriad of the "2000" models.

While I have but a lowly 2.0 litre, I am assuming I'll find info I can use in this. I'll buy it tonight unless someone has another direction to point me in.

Cheers,
Craig

[Jeff Dennis]

The factory service manual (blue binder) is a gem but not that easy to come by. One of the Craigslist posters may have one for sale.... and I have seen them come up for $100US in the past.

[Peter Florance]

Food for thought... Thanks guys, I'll look into a rebuild kit.

Related note: I found a Chilton BMW: Coupes and Sedans 1970-88 that covers the North American 5-series as well as a myriad of the "2000" models.

While I have but a lowly 2.0 litre, I am assuming I'll find info I can use in this. I'll buy it tonight unless someone has another direction to point me in.

Cheers,
Craig

http://www.amazon.com/528i-1975-1980-OW ... -1-catcorr

[themilkguy]

Thanks guys - appreciate the input.

Waiting on the manual to arrive before I get too hung up on this... I can't even see a reservoir between the pedal and the tranny! lol

Craig

[Peter Florance]

Thanks guys - appreciate the input.

Waiting on the manual to arrive before I get too hung up on this... I can't even see a reservoir between the pedal and the tranny! lol

Craig

It's the blue hose coming off brake reservior