E34 5spd diagnostic help?

[Deutscherman]

So i picked up an 91 525i 5spd for 2k, it has only 117,000miles on it. The brake pedal feels soft, and the clutch wont release all the way, ive noticed that the clutch pedal wont come all the way back up. This is my 2nd E34, first one was automatic, and i am totally in the dark about how the "clutch system" works and what components i need to check. Any info is greatly appreiciated.

[Dave M]

Could be a ZF tranny. Regardless, your clutch and brake systems share the brake fluid resevoir. As your brakes are spongy, I assume (correct me if I'm wrong folks) that if the fluid level dropped low enough, air may have been introduced into the clutch system as well. I have not experienced this, so I'm just taking a stab at a cheap fix. I would bleed both the brake and clutch systems (brakes should be done if you don't know the history). The clutch slave cylinder and bleed screw is accessed on the drivers side of my ZH bell housing from under the vehicle.

Good luck with it,

Dave

[Deutscherman]

thanks man, yea i found some evidance of fluid leakage under the master cylinder.. Thanks for the info, im starting to piece together how the system works.