1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Clutch fluid is always dirty

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by 99RojoTaco, Aug 14, 2025.

  1. Sep 4, 2025 at 12:02 PM
    #21
    b_r_o

    b_r_o Gnar doggy

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2016
    Member:
    #202672
    Messages:
    14,869
    First Name:
    Alex
    WA
    Vehicle:
    2015 DCLB
    If the clutch works fine just leave it. You'll drive yourself crazy trying to make everything perfect
     
    Jimmyrace, Bivouac and Wulf like this.
  2. Sep 4, 2025 at 1:56 PM
    #22
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2023
    Member:
    #429578
    Messages:
    3,823
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Sugar Land TX
    Vehicle:
    1996 Taco 2.4L 2wd Automatic
    Clock Volt meter/LSPV Delete/Hyundai 16’s/FP gauge/after 9months of wrenching ZERO oil leaks
    Bivouac has good Q's

    i have been told not to mix dot3/4 with dot5 (dot5 race car stuff)

    also that cap/float inspection
     
    Bivouac likes this.
  3. Sep 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
    #23
    99RojoTaco

    99RojoTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2024
    Member:
    #459702
    Messages:
    90
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1999 Red Tacoma (manual 4x4 5vzfe)
    No it shifts significantly worse when the fluid gets dirty. When it’s fresh the gear switches are smoother and don’t take as much effort. I don’t need it perfect but it gets like diesel oil black within a week of cleaning it
     
  4. Sep 4, 2025 at 4:35 PM
    #24
    99RojoTaco

    99RojoTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2024
    Member:
    #459702
    Messages:
    90
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1999 Red Tacoma (manual 4x4 5vzfe)
    I only use dot 3, what is the cap/float inspection?
     
    ControlCar[QUOTED] likes this.
  5. Sep 4, 2025 at 4:54 PM
    #25
    b_r_o

    b_r_o Gnar doggy

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2016
    Member:
    #202672
    Messages:
    14,869
    First Name:
    Alex
    WA
    Vehicle:
    2015 DCLB
    When its shifting smooth, have a helper push the clutch pedal while you watch the slave cylinder throw. It should be moving the clutch fork a good distance.

    When the shifting gets worse, check the slave again and see if it is still moving the clutch fork the same distance

    That will tell you if you have a hydraulic problem or a clutch problem
     
    Jimmyrace likes this.
  6. Sep 4, 2025 at 5:10 PM
    #26
    99RojoTaco

    99RojoTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2024
    Member:
    #459702
    Messages:
    90
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1999 Red Tacoma (manual 4x4 5vzfe)
    What do you mean by clutch problem. The clutch has nothing to do with the fluid so I don’t see how that be the source of contamination that creates the bad shifting
     
  7. Sep 4, 2025 at 5:39 PM
    #27
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2023
    Member:
    #429578
    Messages:
    3,823
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Sugar Land TX
    Vehicle:
    1996 Taco 2.4L 2wd Automatic
    Clock Volt meter/LSPV Delete/Hyundai 16’s/FP gauge/after 9months of wrenching ZERO oil leaks
    a firm that

    the cap and black rubber float of the MC
    Yellow cap
     
    Bivouac likes this.
  8. Sep 4, 2025 at 5:53 PM
    #28
    b_r_o

    b_r_o Gnar doggy

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2016
    Member:
    #202672
    Messages:
    14,869
    First Name:
    Alex
    WA
    Vehicle:
    2015 DCLB
    Looking at the slave cylinder throw when the fluid is clean and when the fluid is dirty would help you figure out your shifting problem.

    If the contamination is truly affecting the releasing of the clutch it will be reflected in the distance the slave can push the clutch fork
     
    Jimmyrace and Bivouac like this.
  9. Sep 4, 2025 at 6:21 PM
    #29
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2021
    Member:
    #376253
    Messages:
    11,642
    Northern Lehigh Valley Pa
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tacoma 5 speed 3.4
    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    The bad part unless it is just a very poor quality flex rubber hose.
    A failure could leave you sit !.
    I have heard of Aisin Knockoffs I hope you received the real deal !
    Something is causing this contamination .
    Good Luck !
     
  10. Sep 4, 2025 at 8:22 PM
    #30
    99RojoTaco

    99RojoTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2024
    Member:
    #459702
    Messages:
    90
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1999 Red Tacoma (manual 4x4 5vzfe)
    Yes I understand, but how would this help me determine where the problem is. I know the contamination so effecting it, I can feel the difference after I put clean fluid in it for the first few drives
     
  11. Sep 4, 2025 at 8:22 PM
    #31
    99RojoTaco

    99RojoTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2024
    Member:
    #459702
    Messages:
    90
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1999 Red Tacoma (manual 4x4 5vzfe)
    Sorry I’m having a hard time understand what you’re saying. The cap floats in the master cylinder what should I be looking for? No part of my master cylinder is yellow
     
    Bivouac likes this.
  12. Sep 4, 2025 at 8:47 PM
    #32
    b_r_o

    b_r_o Gnar doggy

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2016
    Member:
    #202672
    Messages:
    14,869
    First Name:
    Alex
    WA
    Vehicle:
    2015 DCLB
    Then it sounds like you need to keep replacing parts. I'd throw another master cylinder at it. It could be leaking internally and/or binding somehow

    The pushrod binding could possibly be wearing out the seals in such a way to turn the fluid black so quick? I dunno, I'm just throwing things out there
     
    Jimmyrace and Bivouac like this.
  13. Sep 4, 2025 at 11:24 PM
    #33
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2021
    Member:
    #376253
    Messages:
    11,642
    Northern Lehigh Valley Pa
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tacoma 5 speed 3.4
    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    Just look if the float or cap look to be breaking down to the point they seem to be crumbling.
    The problem has to be coming from the top ..
    I can`t see pulling dirt from the flex hose or slave to the reservoir!
    The Master Cylinder should be under warranty take it back try again.
    Sadly in this day failed parts out of the box are quite common!
     

Products Discussed in

To Top