[warrenw]

Howdy all, when flushing and replacing the brake fluid do I have to do anything special with the clutch as well?

[F87source]

I would recommend flushing the clutch fluid as well - but it's best to do this with a pressure bleeder because the baffle for the clutch side is so small itll run out of fluid in 2-3 pumps if you bleed the clutch by pumping the pedal. But other than that no special procedure just ensure the reservoir is topped up properly and make sure you check the clutch side carefullybto ensure its full as well.

[///393]

What’s a good interval for clutch fluid?

[F87source]

I'd just do it with brake fluid because you're pretty much there anyways. Plus it's good to clear the reservoir of any old brake fluid that also contains moisture.

[edycol]

Originally Posted by F87source

I'd just do it with brake fluid because you're pretty much there anyways. Plus it's good to clear the reservoir of any old brake fluid that also contains moisture.

Copper. At this stage, few years into service, copper is bigger issue. That is why two years is important interval. Moisture at this point won't affect performance in regular street driving. But copper might damage components.

[Fred Conoway]

I'm sure bleeding the clutch isn't something the dealer does with scheduled maintenance, correct?

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Fred Conoway

I'm sure bleeding the clutch isn't something the dealer does with scheduled maintenance, correct?

Yup they do not do clutch fluid.

[jefe2000]

Can anyone provide a pointer to the proper clutch fluid flush procedure?

I found this after some searching, but I'm not sure if it's complete:
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...3&d=1603317376

[TheHaze]

Originally Posted by jefe2000

Can anyone provide a pointer to the proper clutch fluid flush procedure?

I found this after some searching, but I'm not sure if it's complete:
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...3&d=1603317376

Yeah that's basically it. I used a motive power bleeder without any fluid in it and just kept refilling the tiny clutch reservoir. Using the bleeder with fluid is probably the safer bet, but I didn't feel like cleaning it out after using it. The repair document in ISTA is listed as 2100006 if you have access to that.

Edit: Just looked at your link again and it's the same document that comes up when I look in ISTA.

[jefe2000]

Originally Posted by TheHaze

Yeah that's basically it. I used a motive power bleeder without any fluid in it and just kept refilling the tiny clutch reservoir. Using the bleeder with fluid is probably the safer bet, but I didn't feel like cleaning it out after using it. The repair document in ISTA is listed as 2100006 if you have access to that.

Edit: Just looked at your link again and it's the same document that comes up when I look in ISTA.

Excellent, thanks! I have a Motive I use for brake flushes, so I’ll make sure to add in a clutch flush when I do the brakes every two years.

[David.m]

Originally Posted by jefe2000

Excellent, thanks! I have a Motive I use for brake flushes, so I’ll make sure to add in a clutch flush when I do the brakes every two years.

I also use a Motive and like the guy above just fill the reservoir to both save cleaning the Motive and wasting racing fluid (I also use a syringe to first remove old fluid).

Tips for doing the clutch, don't let the reservoir fluid level drop much below the neck as the clutch chamber is very small and empties very very quickly (and so sucks air!). I fill to top of neck, bleed to bottom of neck or so, refill & repeat 3-4 times (obviously closing the bleed valve while line is pressurised).

The clutch bleed valve needs a lot of loosening (compared to a brake caliper) before fluid will flow, first time you'll think it's not working.

[3t3p]

Car in for service tomorrow, getting brake fluid done as been a couple of years. But then I got thinking hmm does clutch fluid need replacing?

2016 6MT

just never seen it routinely mentioned

[maxcbrdriver]

Considering the huge pita it is if you introduce air by running the bleeder dry, I would consider the waste of a bit of brake fluid and cleaning just a necessary cost of using a bleeder. I always buy extra knowing id rather be safe than sorry.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by 3t3p

Car in for service tomorrow, getting brake fluid done as been a couple of years. But then I got thinking hmm does clutch fluid need replacing?

2016 6MT

just never seen it routinely mentioned

It would be a good idea, I'm doing mine this summer. I should have done it with each brake fluid flush but I ran out of fluid last time.

[3t3p]

Cheers. And for a competent garage not much to fuck up doing the clutch fluid?

Is it as hygroscopic as brake fluid?

[maxcbrdriver]

It's the same fluid using the same reservoir. When pressure bleeding, you just add the clutch slave cylinder to the list of points you need to bleed from.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by 3t3p

Cheers. And for a competent garage not much to fuck up doing the clutch fluid?

Is it as hygroscopic as brake fluid?

Clutch fluid is brake fluid, they share the same reservoir.

Your shop will most likely pressure bleed it with positive displacement (pumping fluid), no way will they have the time to constantly refill the reservoir, they likely have a very expensive brake bleeder machine. So you don't need to worry about running dry.

[3t3p]

Ah interesting thanks. So the line to the clutch would not be bled but it would get very slowly by diffusion new fluid when brakes are done?

[F87source]

Originally Posted by 3t3p

Ah interesting thanks. So the line to the clutch would not be bled but it would get very slowly by diffusion new fluid when brakes are done?

no it's a completely separate compartment inside of the master cylinder (bmw does this so if the clutch loop failed you wouldn't loose brakes as well), so technically there would be no fluid exchange, moisture would be able to get through though because there's a gap at the top - this is why you need to flush the clutch fluid eventually (while clutch fluid doesn't get hot and boiling isn't a concern, contamination and high water content causing issues is a concern).

[David.m]

Originally Posted by maxcbrdriver

Considering the huge pita it is if you introduce air by running the bleeder dry, I would consider the waste of a bit of brake fluid and cleaning just a necessary cost of using a bleeder. I always buy extra knowing id rather be safe than sorry.

But that was the point of my post, to save others experiencing the pita that I did first time. I've done 3 clutch bleeds since (my & mates cars) re-filling the reservoir (rather than filling the Motive) without an issue. Yes it adds 10min max to the job but good racing fluid isn't cheap and I'd guess cleaning the Motive would probably take 10min anyway.