1991 318i troubles

[spotty1111]

I have a 1991 318i 5spd manual sedan 1.8ltr. Im having clutch trouble, the other morning I went to drive and i put my foot on the clutch and there was almost no pressure? I'd say that 3/4's of the way to the floor was no pressure and 1/4 pressure was pressure. I could'nt change gears also. I then looked under the cart and found a small puddle?? Then this morning I decided to start the car and check the clutch, there seen to be alittle more pressure and I could change gears, but after 5 minutes the clutch went back to having almost no pressure, can anyone help... thx

[Harls]

almost 100% sounds like you have lost your clutch fluid.

Under the bonnet you will see a small resovoir for clutch fluid. It should be labeled.

Fill that up with the correct fluid, usually just your run of the mill brake fluid and you will have clutch pressure.

If after another day or two you loose your clutch pressure, you will need to check the seals in the main and slave clutch cylinders. Or maybe the hose connection is loose.

See how you go.

[spotty1111]

thx mate, can you tell me on which side under the bonnet is the is the resovoir, I see one on the right side it is labeled ATF??? thx

[White318i]

It is fed from the Brake resivior.
If you have no pedal feel and there is fluid under the car you have a leak that will need to be fixed now.
Topping up the resivior will not solve your problem and probably won't give you pedal feel unless you bleed all the air out first.

Get the car in the air and have a look at the fluid lines from the resivior down under the car to where it connects to the slave cylinder on the side of the gearbox. The flex line that connects the body lines to the slave could have perished or if the fluid is leaking out of the bottom of the gearbox bell housing then the seals in the Slave cylinder have failed.

You will need to remove the fluid line from the cylinder and remove the two bolts that hold the slave to the bell housing. CAREFULLY extract the slave from the bell housing ensuring the piston does not fall down into the bellhousing or you'll need to pull the box to get it back out...
Get an exchange cylinder from a brake specialist or get a new aftermarket one
and throw it all back together.
If you don't know how to bleed the clutch system then get yourself a Bentley manual or PM me.
Good Luck,
Luke.