Need smother start from neutral to first?

As I stated in a previous post I just picked up an 03 trd tacoma, have driven it for about 1000 miles so far, it has a total of 61k on it. I have had 2, 4 cylinders in the past and am finding this v6 a bit different to drive.

I am finding it hard to make smooth start in first gear in this new truck, I have to hit the "sweet spot" just right when releasing the clutch in order to get a smooth transfer from neutral to moving in first gear. It catches just fine, but would really like it to be a smoother transition, any ideas?? I have driven many manual transmissions some a little harder then others but have never had to do any adjustments in the past so I am a little clueless on how to go about making the transition from neutral to moving in first a little smoother.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

let out the clutch a bit slower? the clutches on these trucks take some getting used to i found out

 

Guess it just takes some getting used too??

It is just not as smooth as my past vehicles so I thought maybe something needed tuned/adjusted.

 

Before I start I usually rev up and let the clutch out on the wind down of the revs and accelerate from there.

 

just checked the clutch master cylinder and it is pretty dirty, have never done anything with them before not sure if that could improve anything??

I will research that a little?

 

What's happening when you start? If it's stuttering, it could maybe be suspension related, not your shifting technique. When i first got my 01, it would kind of shutter/bounce when I started from a dead stop, and I thought it was just me and/or the engine. I upgraded the rear suspension to Alcan springs and that stutter went away, it was the suspension winding up and snapping back.

 

Just my opinion, but I don't think it is suspension related.

 

The clutch reservoir should be drained and cleaned regularly. I did it with each oil change. All that black crap settles in the lines and eventually kills the clutch master cylinder.

 

depending on what clutch is in there it may be a rough engaging clutch


IE stage 2 or 3 6 puck etc

 

I plan on doing that when I get home from work this evening. know any good how to's on cleaning it out?

 

The clutch on mine can engage roughly at times, mostly when cold. I let it out until it begins to catch, then add just enough gas for it to not stall while letting it out the rest of the way. This will help extend your clutch life but isn't as smooth of a start as reving it up first (which only burns up your clutch).

 

Pretty simple. Pick up one of these at any pharmacy.



Remove the cap and suck out the fluid with the syringe. Wipe the remaining crap out of the reservoir and refill with Dot3 (???????????? It's been a while) brake fluid. Keep an eye on it as the black stuff will start to work back out of the line so you'll want to change it every couple hundred miles for a while. Hopefully, your clutch will start working a bit better. Mine did.

X2 on the type of clutch it may be also. Could be aftermarket which may grab quicker.

 

without sounding like a jerk, I know how to drive a standard.

What I am saying is that I would not want to sit in rush hour bumper to bumper traffic with the way it currently starts off in first. It has to get better then what it is. It is not utterly terrible, just not as easy to drive as my previous Tacoma's so i am assuming something needs to be tuned or fixed.

 

Question, do I suck the reservoir bone dry, then wipe it out? Should I be worried about getting air in the line that way??

 

Don't try to drain the line but yes, wipe it out clean...gently.

 

maybe the previous owner burnt the clutch? I put in a brand new clutch in my 03 when the previous one was slipping, and it worked prefectly. Then I burnt it pretty bad trying to pull my buddies jeep out of some mud, and now my car shakes a little on takeoff...

 

Well Guys... Thank you all for your suggestions.

I went out and just gravity bleed the slave cylinder for about 20-30 minutes, kept filling it up as it drained out. I would stop, shut off the bleeder and pump the clutch a bunch of times then start again. I stopped when it was clean.

I just drove it around for about 0.5 mile start and stop and it could be mental but I am fairly certain it made a difference, just a much smoother transition. I will report back if my mind was just playing tricks on me...

**UPDATE**

NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE!! GOES INTO GEAR A HECK OF A LOT SMOOTHER NOW TOO.