Strange flat spots...could it be my clutch?

[gpgold]

Hey everyone.

I am experiencing an odd symptom on the 320d.

When I accelerate, especially harder acceleration, I feel an "on and off" loss in power. The best way to explain it is as if the clutch pedal is being slightly depressed while I accelerate causing the revs to rise quicker than usual but no additional power results.

The first thing I thought was it must be my car mat touching the clutch pedal but then I saw the clutch pedal comes from above the foot well and not from out the floor so I know its not that.

Any ideas? :thinker:

 

[abmi0000]

If rev climbs without the car moving in relation, it's usually a slipping clutch

 

[vylint]

Interesting question gpgold. I've experienced something similar on my automatic 320d which I have attributed to it merely being the way an automatic works.

What I did was pull onto an off-ramp joining the highway and put the car into 'Sport' mode and after 1 second I literally floored the accelerator pedal. I was expecting a serious 'thrust back into my seat feeling' but sadly it didn't happen. The vehicle did speed up rather quickly but not without giving me the feeling that it had to 'think' about giving speed while the rev counter seemed to climb disproportionately with the speedometer.

I'm keen to hear if your concern is something to be worried about.

Cheers.

 

[gpgold]

hmmm...thanks guys, I am not sure why but I recall this type of problem points to a clutch issue like a warn clutch or slipping clutch or something. Just what you hear you know.

Will wait and see what a few more fanatics have to say before taking her in to my mech.

 

[L~C~G]

Welcome to the club bud. We seem to have a few cars doing this.

Have you had the cats removed? Have you bypassed your EGR?

Mine did this for a few weeks before leaving me on the side of the road in satans backyard. My mechanic cleaned out the waste gate which was sticking, bypassed the Egr which was also sticking, we also ripped out the first cat while we were busy, she was still doing it when I got the car back but it seems to have stopped now and the car is getting stronger every day.

Im not sure if the ecu is adjusting to the changes and the crap has stopped or if I have another breakdown in my future.

 

[gpgold]

Hey L~C~G...No I haven't done those two mods yet...I think I will need to swing by my mech and ask him to check the clutch first. if that is okay, then perhaps I should look into the de-cat, its something on my "to do list" anyway. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Dhp507]

Hey L~C~G...No I haven't done those two mods yet...I think I will need to swing by my mech and ask him to check the clutch first. if that is okay, then perhaps I should look into the de-cat, its something on my "to do list" anyway. Thanks for the advice!

Put the car in second and raise the clutch gradually if it stalls the clutch is fine. If it is past the normal bite point the clutch is gone........

 

[gpgold]

Hey L~C~G...No I haven't done those two mods yet...I think I will need to swing by my mech and ask him to check the clutch first. if that is okay, then perhaps I should look into the de-cat, its something on my "to do list" anyway. Thanks for the advice!

Put the car in second and raise the clutch gradually if it stalls the clutch is fine. If it is past the normal bite point the clutch is gone........

Will give it a shot thanks:thumbs:

 

[gpgold]

Hey L~C~G...No I haven't done those two mods yet...I think I will need to swing by my mech and ask him to check the clutch first. if that is okay, then perhaps I should look into the de-cat, its something on my "to do list" anyway. Thanks for the advice!

Put the car in second and raise the clutch gradually if it stalls the clutch is fine. If it is past the normal bite point the clutch is gone........

It stalled in 2nd as expected...but I am still not convinced as they other symptoms are still present. Will check out what L~C~G suggested too....maybe I need to de-cat

 

[Dhp507]

Hey L~C~G...No I haven't done those two mods yet...I think I will need to swing by my mech and ask him to check the clutch first. if that is okay, then perhaps I should look into the de-cat, its something on my "to do list" anyway. Thanks for the advice!

Put the car in second and raise the clutch gradually if it stalls the clutch is fine. If it is past the normal bite point the clutch is gone........

It stalled in 2nd as expected...but I am still not convinced as they other symptoms are still present. Will check out what L~C~G suggested too....maybe I need to de-cat

You running software........if you decat you will need software and that may not solve the problem. Check the egr as mentioned by L N G . Please explain at what rpm or speeds and what gear you in ?

 

[gpgold]

Hey L~C~G...No I haven't done those two mods yet...I think I will need to swing by my mech and ask him to check the clutch first. if that is okay, then perhaps I should look into the de-cat, its something on my "to do list" anyway. Thanks for the advice!

Put the car in second and raise the clutch gradually if it stalls the clutch is fine. If it is past the normal bite point the clutch is gone........

It stalled in 2nd as expected...but I am still not convinced as they other symptoms are still present. Will check out what L~C~G suggested too....maybe I need to de-cat

You running software........if you decat you will need software and that may not solve the problem. Check the egr as mentioned by L N G . Please explain at what rpm or speeds and what gear you in ?

No, the whole software thing is an unknown to me...I am running whatever the car came with stock. So if I de-cat, I will need to have the software upgraded? Will try to see when I see the faults when I drive tomo and report back...

 

[Dhp507]

Yes you will have to remove the regen process and the car is going to register faults on the ECU for the cat not being there

 

[gpgold]

Yes you will have to remove the regen process and the car is going to register faults on the ECU for the cat not being there

Ah crap...will the ppl who remove the cats be able to handle the software complications?

 

[ekseniks]

My E36 is doing exactly what you described. It kinda feels like when you pull off hard on sand and the wheels just spin but no speed increase. I get it a little in second and then all gears up from there. I was wondering if you still have it? Or if you've managed to fix it?

 

[gpgold]

My E36 is doing exactly what you described. It kinda feels like when you pull off hard on sand and the wheels just spin but no speed increase. I get it a little in second and then all gears up from there. I was wondering if you still have it? Or if you've managed to fix it?

Yep, still have it. Been very busy at work so havent taken it in yet. It is however getting worse! There is now considerable loss in power with more "uneven" rev surges during acceleration. Gonna try get to the mech today!

 

[Pfw28]

Hi there, sounds like clutch from here. Re the decat, just done one on a 04 E46 320d, no software issues, so you should get away with it. Check the pipe from the exhaust to the Egr valve, a leak there could cause fluctuating boost, but not the rev thing. Good luck! :fencelook:

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

My first thought is also the clutch

 

[pieter.com]

My BMW also do the same kind of thing but then i was told its the chip that does it.But I had a TDI polo at a stage and it had the same problem when driving on the highway it did not pick up speed only revs and also on take-off at a stop the same thing happened it only got worse until the clutch k@ked completely I heard a lot of stories one guy said it a turbo protector that did that and they said it could be the intercooler but guess they were wrong.

 

[Jarv]

Hi there.
i get a similarthing.
Bmw tested it and said its the throttle valve.

 

[gpgold]

So I took it to my local mechanic. He says he thinks it is the clutch. He says he has to find out which clutch my car has as there are three different clutch kits for 320d's. He also says that my fly wheel might need replacement as its a duel mesh fly wheel so doesnt think it can be skimmed.

Its all starting to sound pretty complex and expensive so I think I must get a second opinion next week. Anyone suggest a place in Cape Town and surrounding areas to inspect this?

Thanks everyone:thumbs: