Loss of Power/Acceleration

I have a 2015 4.0 MT tacoma that has been experiencing acceleration and power issues. The short of it is that once I was off of the clutch, I had hardly any power and could not get the truck moving until well over 3,000 RPM and even then it was slow to go. I would say that the power point was between 1k-1.5k higher than normal and the truck felt like a brick. After this going on for a little bit I did a highway drive and once I got home, smelled burning, but I could not tell if it was clutch or something like stuck brake caliper.

I have cleaned the MAF and the throttle body, but nothing improve my issue. I took it to the dealership service and they basically said it needs a new clutch disc, flex plate, pressure plate, pilot bearing and throw out bearing. I am having a hard time trying to understand how the clutch went south so fast unless it was staying engaged even when I was off it and that is why I had to over rev. It also seems strange that I didn't get any burning smell earlier if it had been doing to for sometime. I am hoping the hive mind can help me out on this one before I have to send +3k on a new clutch.

In case it matters, 50,000 miles, issue happened before and after a recent oil change and recent air filter change. Another random observation, for some time when under cruise control, anytime I hit a hill the throttle would surge and shut off cruise.

Thanks,
Marcus

 

If the engine is reving up but the truck isn't picking up speed your clutch is toast, if not your gona have to get a scanner on it and check codes and look at data.
Do you gave a CEL on or any other lights, have the plugs ever been changed (they should be changed every 30k)?

 

Dragging brakes is easily checked for, drive it a little ways when its acting up and stop and go around and put your hand near the center of each wheel if any of them feel much hotter than the rest or extremely hot it's dragging.

 

no codes or CEL have ever come up while this has been going on. I did not do the plugs at 30k but it has not been driving rough or any abnormal vibration that would make me think its a spark issue. It probably is the clutch, I'm just not sure why it would have been partially engaged when I am fully off of the clutch pedal. When the problem started i was pulling up on the clutch to make sure it sagging or otherwise not returning to the top.

-marcus

 

So yoir saying your RPMs are going up but the truck isn't picking up speed?

 

Correct, the clutch take-off point feels the same, but when I am fully off of the clutch and giving it gas, it will not move. I have to increase the revs to around 3000-3500 before it will start to go. It is the same into second gear where I have to keep the revs up.

At highway speeds, it seems that the RPMs are about 500 higher than what I remember normal cruise to be. But to try and pass on the highway I have to rev it up high again to get anything moving.

Thanks,

-marcus

 

Yea that sounds like a failed clutch although 50k is really low mileage for a clutch to go, are you running oversize tires?

$3k sounds really steep to put a clutch in as well.

 

???

Pushing the pedal is what disengages the clutch. When you are 'off the pedal' its fully engaged.

Your performance description is classic worn out clutch.

Ones worn out at such low mileage are usually from some form of abuse.

Was this a used vehicle purchase?

 

Tires are the stock size for the TRD off road trim. 3k seemed high too, but they were proposing to change out a few other things on the transmission as well. I am going to get a second opinion on cost to see as well.

-marcus

 

Clearwater Bill. you are correct, I have the actual action reversed in my wording, but meant that when I am off the clutch pedal and just on gas, I am having to over rev it to 3k before the truck even thinks about moving. I bought it used at 15k and put 35k on it since in mostly around town driving. I have only driven manuals for 20+ years so I generally consider myself adept at using a clutch, but I could have killed it, just not sure when or how.

-marcus

 

Or it could have been hammered the first 15k and you just finished it with normal wear. You'll never know for sure.

What I do know is that the quote you got is ludicrous, and a second quote from a quality independant shop is in order.

 

that is the next order of business. I appreciate the help

-marcus

 

You may consider a URD clutch kit, it seems to be a popular option here and look into the throwout bearing sleeve as well.

Lots of info and links about the RA 60 transmission in the thread below.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...on-your-6-speed-transmissiom-write-up.338840/

 

Thanks for the reference page. I will do some digging into what is on there. I have seen the URD kits in the past, figure it would make sense to do it as well since it likely has to all be swapped out.

-marcus