Clutch Master Cylinder Leaking

I've noticed that my brake fluid reservoir was getting low every so often. Then a couple of days ago, I see that there is a spot on my floormat underneath the clutch pedal. When I investigate further, there's fluid leaking from around the top of the clutch master cylinder. I didn't see any leaking around the hoses, just from the top of the cylinder. Has anyone else had this problem or replaced the master cylinder? Looks fairly straight forward in the shop manual.....

 

Are you talking about the clutch master cylinder or the master cylinder for the brakes? You've mentioned both..... and they're not the same thing.

Just looking for some clarification (I'm confused).

 

Sounds like a dealer visit is in order.

 

No problem. It's the clutch master cylinder that appears to be leaking. It is located behind the clutch pedal against the firewall. Two hoses that come out of it. One of them goes to the brake fluid reservoir / brake master cylinder. I'm not sure exactly where the other one goes, I guess to the slave cylinder on the transmission?

The clutch master cylinder looks easy enough mechanically to replace, but I'm not sure how to keep as much air as possible out of the fluid lines. Also not sure how to bleed the clutch afterwards, or do I just bleed the brake lines?

Maybe just easier to take it in to a pro

 

Then you'll never learn..... then we won't learn from when you do it and take pics, and post a tutorial for a sticky!

 

I'm still confused.... I've never heard of the clutch using/sharing the brake resevoir. But - with these new trucks, anything is possible I guess.

If I had to guess, you probably don't have to replace any of the master cylinders. You probably have a worn/leaking seal somewhere.

But yeah, I agree...take it to a professional.

 

I didn't beleive it at first either about the brake resevoir. I'm also not sure if it's this way on every year of the 2nd gen. You might be right about the leaky seal. I haven't been able to investigate any further yet. But I was able to price a new clutch master cylinder. Local dealer MSRP $102, from www.trdparts4u.com $76.70. P/N 31420-04011

I didn't know if anyone else had any experience or words of wisdom about how to replace it.

 

Well, I ended up taking it to the stealership yesterday to get it fixed. Just didn't want to deal with trying to do this myself out in the cold. So, I'm sorry that there's no write up with pics for all the other DIY'ers. Remarkably, everything went pretty well though. They were quite surprised to find out that I wasn't full of sh*t, in other words that it really was leaking like I said over the phone. There were at least three guys that came over to see for themselves. One of them was a concerned fellow Tacoma owner. Judging by their responses, this isn't something they see a lot of at 70k miles on a 2nd gen. All in all, happy to have it fixed. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

I know this post is old, but wanted to reply in regards to my 2012 tacoma. I got the 6 speed manual. a month into getting the truck, noticed the clutch squeaking. couldn't figure it out. It would do it on and off. tried to pinpoint why...maybe hot, maybe cold, humidity? no dice. Finally brought it to the dealer under warranty and they thought I was making it up. Brought it again and they finally heard it. they still made me feel like I was an idiot and was knit picking. Hmm. Anyway, they said they couldn't fix it and that it was just part of the design. again, hmm... I even showed them the posts on the service bulletin regarding this very problem and of course, as there was no official notices about it, they weren't gonna fix it. I finally gave up/in and dealt with it. Now (months later) I got the problem mentioned above. My brake fluid was going low. After filling it about 3 times from half full, I finally noticed a greasy puddle on my floor mat (driver's side) couldn't see a definitive leak, but after pulling the matt, felt the floor carpet and it was greasy. So there you have it. If it wasn't for this forum and people having the same issues and sharing them, I'd be s o l trying to prove to what are supposed to be pros and yet more often then not don't have a clue. No offense, but how hard is it to go online and research something, rather then BS your customer out of laziness. Luckily I have a good mechanic who works with my warranty. Gonna bring it in. I'll start a new post about the topic. But thanks all for actually sharing this stuff. gives me peace of mind knowing I am not making this sh$t up.

 

2013 4.0L 6speed with 65K doing the same thing.

Replacing the master clutch cylinder Thursday (at mechanic). Will report.

Thanks everyone.