Opinions please

[Hooversquirrel]

I admit to not being very mechanically minded but my Z3 (1997 2.8) has started to exhibit symptoms of clutch slip ( anything but very gentle application of the accelerator results in increased revs but not increased speed)
Am presuming this means it needs replacing so am wondering whether you guys may be able to suggest any other possibilities that won’t be so expensive as a replacement
Here’s hoping...

 

[the Nefyn cat]

If the clutch is gone then you'd best get something done a bit sharpish. Driving it around too much more will turn the flywheel to scrap, and then things get a lot more expensive. ECP are listing clutch kits at between £170 and £304, pricey bit will be having it fitted.

 

[t-tony]

I admit to not being very mechanically minded but my Z3 (1997 2.8) has started to exhibit symptoms of clutch slip ( anything but very gentle application of the accelerator results in increased revs but not increased speed)
Am presuming this means it needs replacing so am wondering whether you guys may be able to suggest any other possibilities that won’t be so expensive as a replacement
Here’s hoping...

Also if you leave it too long a damaged dual mass flywheel can soon do damage to the gearbox. Where are you located?

Tony.

 

[Hooversquirrel]

Thanks for the replies, the symptoms only became apparent yesterday so hopefully not too damage done yet.
I’m in Oxfordshire

 

[lucky jim]

I admit to not being very mechanically minded but my Z3 (1997 2.8) has started to exhibit symptoms of clutch slip ( anything but very gentle application of the accelerator results in increased revs but not increased speed)
Am presuming this means it needs replacing so am wondering whether you guys may be able to suggest any other possibilities that won’t be so expensive as a replacement
Here’s hoping...

hi is it auto or manual ?

 

[Hooversquirrel]

Manual

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Sure-fire way of being certain it's the clutch gone, warm the engine up a bit, handbrake on, right foot on brake, put it in fourth and let the clutch out. If it stalls you're probably OK, if it keeps going that'll be the clutch f***ed. Technical term, that. Don't try this inside the garage. And only do it for long enough to be sure it's still running or stalled.

 

[Grumps]

I'm not mechanic either but experience would suggest worn clutch plates.

 

[Hooversquirrel]

OK, thanks for the opinions, is there any chance it could be needing new hydraulic fluid, clutch hose or lock valve? (Been trying to do my own research more in hope than anything else!)

 

[t-tony]

Firstly, how many miles has the car done, how many owners, and what are the mileages on the previous M.O.T.s. Several things could make the clutch slip, one is the flexible hose breaking down and not releasing the fluid pressure quickly enough (possible), or the release lever sticking (unlikely) and even either of the hydraulic cylinders sticking (unlikely) one other is fluid contamination on the clutch driven disc (which you would smell), so, most likely you have a knackered clutch (technical term )

Tony.

 

[Hooversquirrel]

Thanks Tony - it’s done 84k. It’s only had 2 previous owners, one of which was my sister who had it for 95% of the previous miles. There are approx 3000 miles between MOT’s for last three years. She has the financial clout to be able to get it serviced regularly.
Your comment about the possibility of the hosing breaking down gives me a little hope but I realise that I’m probably ‘grasping at straws’.... she’s had approx 1K spent on her over the last 6 months and I certainly don’t have my sisters financial clout!

 

[Sean d]

Thanks Tony - it’s done 84k. It’s only had 2 previous owners, one of which was my sister who had it for 95% of the previous miles. There are approx 3000 miles between MOT’s for last three years. She has the financial clout to be able to get it serviced regularly.
Your comment about the possibility of the hosing breaking down gives me a little hope but I realise that I’m probably ‘grasping at straws’.... she’s had approx 1K spent on her over the last 6 months and I certainly don’t have my sisters financial clout!

Its not so much about the miles but more about the driver, if the previous drivers or even yourself has a bad habit of slipping the clutch it will dramatically reduce the life of it, we had a car in recently that an old dear drives, she goes through clutches every 10-12k miles

 

[t-tony]

You could change the hose, it certainly can't do any harm but sadly I think it's the clutch that's toast.

Tony.

 

[mrscalex]

Expect the worst and hope for the best.

I have a clutch waiting to be done on one of my project Z3s that has only done 70k miles, has low owners and is otherwise very well maintained.

Other people will tell you they are on the original clutch at 150k+ miles.

I'm afraid you're looking at up to around £500 as a guide figure if you get it done by an independent garage. If you shop around you might get it done for the right side of £400.

At least you have a 2.8. That sort of spend could finish off a 1.9 for some owners.

 

[Hooversquirrel]

Thanks for the input guys

 

[t-tony]

Thanks for the input guys

No problem. you're very welcome. Anytime.

Tony.

 

[Althulas]

I can recommend Norton Autohaus in Banbury he’s my Indy. He’s never ripped me off and even done things on my wife’s Polo for free on silly things while I’ve been working away from home.‭ if it’s a job you cant tackle or just to have it checked over Numbers 01295 278757‬

 

[Dalek]

If you are the Swindon, Wiltshire side of Oxfordshire my local garage have always done a good job on my car.
AutoDocs in Highworth. 01793 950871.

 

[Lee]

Just another thing to think about,

The clutch hose itself is know to become soft and spongy over time as age creeps up this in turn will absorb some of the clutch movement when you press the peddle (as said by tony) if really bad can cause the clutch to slip. All the Z3's I've owned/own I change the clutch line to a braided one and flush the fluid.

Relatively cheap and easy to do.

 

[Hooversquirrel]

Thanks Lee, during a recent ‘ health check’ I was informed that the flexi brake hoses would need replacing so perhaps a similar aged clutch hose could be in a similar state.
I perhaps haven’t described the problem too well though...
I have no problem selecting gears, the clutch seems to bite in the same place as it used to and pulling away is the same as it used to be ( not juddery). The problem becomes apparent when revs get into the 3k plus range and thereafter the revs increase but speed does not so I either change up or if in top gear, have to back off on the accelerator. I did some basic research before coming and asking here and ‘clutch slip’ was top of the list. So problems aren’t really happening when I’m pressing the clutch peddle, just driving