Clutch slipping??

dekaliber · 05-05-2008, 07:54 AM

A couple of times on my commute this morning I noticed atypical behavior going from a stop which I can only describe as a lugging sensation. My admittedly uneducated guess has it being the clutch slipping, but I didn't not any other symptoms once I started moving. Now, I've had my car for only about 8 months and it has less than 4000 miles on it, I don't track my car or launch aggressively (>2K RPM), and I don't rest my foot on the clutch pedal, so I'm hard pressed to believe that I've already caused damage to the clutch, especially with my commute that consists of 4 stops signs and a traffic light... Also, I still have the stock CDV.

I should note that since day one I often hear some chatter when disengaging the clutch at low gears (1st usually), but from what I've read this is fairly typical for Z4s.

I'll have to see if it happens again this week but I'm worrying (perhaps permaturely) that this will require service. I wanted to see if people knew whether this would be covered under warranty?

Dammmittt · 05-05-2008, 09:19 AM

If there is an issue with the clutch/transmission it'll be covered under warranty provided you don't do things like track it or abuse it. But, from what you've said it doesn't look like you do. I guess I'm not real sure what happened from your description, but if it's an issue that you the dealer can recreate than they should fix it.

Hawkeye · 05-05-2008, 09:23 AM

I have had this same problem. It happens about once a week, my RPMs drop to about 4-5K and the car luggs a bit. Always when I am at a stop and I have the clutch in. Is this what you are talking about or am I way off?

dekaliber · 05-05-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

I have had this same problem. It happens about once a week, my RPMs drop to about 4-5K and the car luggs a bit. Always when I am at a stop and I have the clutch in. Is this what you are talking about or am I way off?

Hawkeye do you mean 400-500?

I think it might be a similar issue. The car seems to lug a bit when I'm releasing the clutch and giving it gas -- feels like the engagement isn't as direct as it usually is. It's not something that I've experienced before so I'll see if I can get a better diagnosis when I drive it again. Have you had it looked at by the dealer, btw?

Hawkeye · 05-05-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dekaliber

Hawkeye do you mean 400-500?

I think it might be a similar issue. The car seems to lug a bit when I'm releasing the clutch and giving it gas -- feels like the engagement isn't as direct as it usually is. It's not something that I've experienced before so I'll see if I can get a better diagnosis when I drive it again. Have you had it looked at by the dealer, btw?

yeah I meant 400-500. Mine is when my foot is nowhere near the gas pedal though, just chillin in neutral. It has never actually died but I always think it is about to. When/if it does actually die it is going straight to the dealer. I have a good 33K left on the warranty so I am not too worried.

dekaliber · 05-05-2008, 11:18 AM

I think it might be a different issue then... I had a similar issue with my RX-8, which ended up getting a reflash as part of a recall, but so far with the Z4 the only fluctuation in RPM happens when I start the car. I believe that to be normal as the engine is heating up...

sailvi767 · 05-05-2008, 06:57 PM

To check if a clutch is slipping put the car in top gear at a moderate speed. Then floor the accelerator. You will see the RPM climb without the car speed picking up to match it. If the engine RPM moves up very slowly with the car speed then the clutch is fine.

The HACK · 05-05-2008, 07:10 PM

If your clutch is slipping you will SMELL IT.

Bammered · 05-05-2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

yeah I meant 400-500. Mine is when my foot is nowhere near the gas pedal though, just chillin in neutral. It has never actually died but I always think it is about to. When/if it does actually die it is going straight to the dealer. I have a good 33K left on the warranty so I am not too worried.

Mine does the same thing, revs seem to fall and then flare... my brothers ///M Coupe has the same issue... Not sure what it is, but since your experiencing it aswell it must be a common nuance...

Bammered · 05-05-2008, 07:41 PM

My dealer checked my old 323Ci for clutch slip and he accelerated hard in first and then shifted directly to third because he says it puts alot of stress on the drivetrain/ clutch... Give it a try, if you shift to third and the revs slur and then grab instead of just banging hard into gear and then grabbing and accelerating immediately, then your slipping.

dekaliber · 05-06-2008, 12:29 AM

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I'll do some testing this week. With normal driving coming home from work today everything seemed fine...so maybe it was just a fluke.

MMMazing07 · 05-06-2008, 09:11 AM

im pretty sure my clutch starting to slip also. The car is much slower now. And when i put here in 6th on the highway i dont go anywhere. Hope dealer doesnt give me a hrd time. My car has only 15k!!!!

dekaliber · 05-08-2008, 09:03 PM

Update: Hasn't happened since Monday, so I'm guessing everything is good. Strange...

Oddly enough, I feel like my clutch is engaging sooner than before. I almost stalled at a light the other day because it caught me by surprise.

05-05-2008, 07:54 AM	#1
dekaliber Major 75 Rep 1,143 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC, '11 JCW, '18 Z06 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Clutch slipping?? A couple of times on my commute this morning I noticed atypical behavior going from a stop which I can only describe as a lugging sensation. My admittedly uneducated guess has it being the clutch slipping, but I didn't not any other symptoms once I started moving. Now, I've had my car for only about 8 months and it has less than 4000 miles on it, I don't track my car or launch aggressively (>2K RPM), and I don't rest my foot on the clutch pedal, so I'm hard pressed to believe that I've already caused damage to the clutch, especially with my commute that consists of 4 stops signs and a traffic light... Also, I still have the stock CDV. I should note that since day one I often hear some chatter when disengaging the clutch at low gears (1st usually), but from what I've read this is fairly typical for Z4s. I'll have to see if it happens again this week but I'm worrying (perhaps permaturely) that this will require service. I wanted to see if people knew whether this would be covered under warranty?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-05-2008, 09:19 AM	#2
Dammmittt My favorite sign. 169 Rep 4,333 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Der Autobahnen iTrader: (0)	If there is an issue with the clutch/transmission it'll be covered under warranty provided you don't do things like track it or abuse it. But, from what you've said it doesn't look like you do. I guess I'm not real sure what happened from your description, but if it's an issue that you the dealer can recreate than they should fix it. __________________ 07 ///M Coupe (Premium Package) Black Saphire Ext. Imola Red Int. Best Website EVER!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-05-2008, 09:23 AM	#3
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2070 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	I have had this same problem. It happens about once a week, my RPMs drop to about 4-5K and the car luggs a bit. Always when I am at a stop and I have the clutch in. Is this what you are talking about or am I way off? __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-05-2008, 11:18 AM	#6
dekaliber Major 75 Rep 1,143 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC, '11 JCW, '18 Z06 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	I think it might be a different issue then... I had a similar issue with my RX-8, which ended up getting a reflash as part of a recall, but so far with the Z4 the only fluctuation in RPM happens when I start the car. I believe that to be normal as the engine is heating up...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-05-2008, 06:57 PM	#7
sailvi767 Private First Class 22 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 95BMWM3(full Dinan) 2007 Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: N.C. iTrader: (0)	To check if a clutch is slipping put the car in top gear at a moderate speed. Then floor the accelerator. You will see the RPM climb without the car speed picking up to match it. If the engine RPM moves up very slowly with the car speed then the clutch is fine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-05-2008, 07:10 PM	#8
The HACK Midlife Crises Racing Silent but Deadly Class 1821 Rep 5,337 Posts Drives: 2006 MZ4C, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Welcome to Jamaica have a nice day iTrader: (1)	If your clutch is slipping you will SMELL IT.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-05-2008, 07:41 PM	#10
Bammered Track Addict 10 Rep 207 Posts Drives: E86 Z4 ///M COUPE Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC/NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E86 ///M COUPE [0.00]	My dealer checked my old 323Ci for clutch slip and he accelerated hard in first and then shifted directly to third because he says it puts alot of stress on the drivetrain/ clutch... Give it a try, if you shift to third and the revs slur and then grab instead of just banging hard into gear and then grabbing and accelerating immediately, then your slipping.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-06-2008, 12:29 AM	#11
dekaliber Major 75 Rep 1,143 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC, '11 JCW, '18 Z06 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I'll do some testing this week. With normal driving coming home from work today everything seemed fine...so maybe it was just a fluke.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-06-2008, 09:11 AM	#12
MMMazing07 More than you can afford pal....ferrari 181 Rep 1,471 Posts Drives: Z4M Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	im pretty sure my clutch starting to slip also. The car is much slower now. And when i put here in 6th on the highway i dont go anywhere. Hope dealer doesnt give me a hrd time. My car has only 15k!!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-08-2008, 09:03 PM	#13
dekaliber Major 75 Rep 1,143 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC, '11 JCW, '18 Z06 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Update: Hasn't happened since Monday, so I'm guessing everything is good. Strange... Oddly enough, I feel like my clutch is engaging sooner than before. I almost stalled at a light the other day because it caught me by surprise.
	Appreciate 0 Quote