[larryn]

The Clutch Delay Valve (CDV) is something BMW puts in place to limit the flow of hydraulic fluid to the clutch, supposedly to minimize stress to the components. It was introduced around the same time BMW began offering included service that covered clutches.

It does make the clutch take-up/engagement somewhat unpredictable and sluggish at times, making for a sometimes jerky ride.

This DIY takes about 20 minutes, and you'll need somebody to help you bleed the clutch fluid after you're done.

You'll need an 8mm socket, a small flat blade screw driver, a 10mm wrench, and possibly a little bit of hydraulic brake fluid.


Steps


1. Jack up the front of the car and put it on jackstands (or drive up on ramps).

2. Loosen the eight (8) transmission shroud/cover screws with that 8mm socket. The transmission cover is about directly underneath the shifter. The cover comes off once you remove the 8 screws and twist the cover about 45 degrees to clear the slot shown in Pic 1.

3. climb under three and find the CDV. Pic 2

4. The CDV can either be removed or replaced with an aftermarket free flow modified CDV. I chose to remove it. There's a small metal clip on the CDV, and an identical one on the coupling. See the circled items in pic 3. Also, take a took at a closeup of the CDV in pic 4, to see how to pop the retaining wire out with a small flat bladed screwdriver.

5. Once you have the two retaining wires popped out a bit (as in pic 4), quickly pull out the fluid line going into the CDV, and cap it with your finger. Then, pull out the CDV itself. Then take the fluid line that you have capped with your finger, and plug it into the coupling. You'll lose a bit of fluid, but not that much. Push the retaining wire back in to secure the fluid line in the coupling. It will look like pic 5 when you're done. alternately, install your modified CDV instead of bypassing it.

6. Locate the bleed valve, (pic 6) and unloosen it while you have a cup under it to catch the fluid, and have somebody press the clutch pedal once to the floor, and hold it there, while you tighten the bleed valve.

7. Put the shroud/tranny cover back in place with the 8 screws.


..and you're done! Have a congratulatory beer and admire you're 13375k1z.

You'll notice that the clutch pedal will respond more directly to your input now, and YOU can control how it it let out.