Lack of power but engine is revving

Oh man.
I have a 2005 4x4 v6 access cab tacoma. Manual. I love this truck. 118K miles

In late august, on the way back from a weekend road trip, it started sounding like the engine was revving too high and it was losing power. I took it to the dealer. It was JUST over the warranty, but I was willing to pay to make my awesome truck happy. It had a hard time getting up to highway speed at times, a little variable, but suddenly waaaay down from the kickin' peppy truck it was shortly before and borderline unsafe. The mechanic said "There is nothing wrong with your truck" and replaced the air filter and an oil change for the diagnostic price (ouch).

I felt like an idiot, but it ran a little better. Still not what it was and I was bummed that my truck had gone from being GREAT to seeming like an old beater. It ran sort of OK for about 6 weeks but way weaker.

In the last couple of weeks, it has really kicked up again. I mean like a couple times I didn't think I'd get up the highway ramp. I have to be real careful about pulling out of a parking space if there's a car a block away. My heart fails if traffic makes me slow down and lose momentum. Some days I can't get it over 60. But today I filled up and it got to 75.

Its scary but if I can limp 2 more days I'll be gone for a week and then I can take it in. The engine light has never come on. The shifting feels fine.

Right now, its always bad, but sometimes its worse than others. It did feel better after I filled up. Nothing rough about it, just s-l-o-w, but the engine goes VROOM.

My fiance thinks it's clutch or transmission, but after some reading I am wondering it it might be fuel system related or the exhaust/converter.

Things are dicey now and I really really really do not want to take it in only to hear "it's fine" again. I'll probably cry. I can't wrench this thing, but it would really help to know where to point the guy, and how expensive this can get. I think I might have used the dealer for the last time but main reason I go back is they have cheap rentals that can allow me to get to work with minimal hassle. Plus, I'd like to have this truck forever.

Before the warranty was out I did have a fuel pump (I think) replaced.

That's a lot of blabber, but I really love this truck and this is bumming me out (plus dangerous).

Anyone have thoughts? Really want this to get fixed.

Thanks, I have read this forum a fair amount and really appreciate the info. If I manage to get this fixed and it stays fixed I'll be a Tacoma lifer. This is my dream truck.

 

First off, welcome to TW! sounds like your tranny is slipping a little with the rev high and it not moving how it supposed to, try taking it to a transmission shop and have them look at it

 

You really think a mechanic would miss a bad clutch?????? That'd be a first... I mean, I agree and all, sounds like a clutch, but damn.

 

clutch

 

2nd that

Do you smell the clutch burning?

 

Very distinct smell...


Does it make a funny sound when you put it in neutral and let out the clutch?

 

No smell at all and no funny sound except that the engine revs w/o it accelerating as it should.

I also thought clutch at first but that was what I suggested to mechanic and thought he would be happy to sell me one. Would that be something that would not make engine light go off?

Also, is this necessarily a replacement thing, or maybe an adjustment thing?

Thanks for the responses.

 

Clutches do wear over time and hard use. Cable style clutches can be adjusted, but I don't think hydraulic clutches can, which I believe tacomas are hydraulic. I would sugest taking your truck to an aamco or other reputable trans shop. Not sure what area you're in, if you can post that, I'm sure the suggestions will come flying in on where to take or even a member on here giving you a second opinion. What you are describing does sound like the clutch slipping ie engine revving in gear but not accelerating.

 

Thanks. I'm in Sacramento. Thinking about red rocket auto or anderson's transmissions. Maita was the one who said nothing was wrong with it. Who ever heard of a mechanic that did not want to sell you a clutch?

 

There are plenty of NorCal members that would be willing to give ya some help in determining your prob. I would defineately take it to a different shop, and if it turns out it is the clutch and you paid for the previous place to diagnose, then you should have them refund your cash.

 

Well, at least there seems to be consensus on this issue.

 

Sacramento huh.... come to my house, or I can come to yours if you're not too far... driving my roomies car though, I'd rather not drive too far. I'm near Watt and Auburn.... you close by?

 

PM sent. I can help you tommorow.

 

I know the consensus is the clutch, but has anyone checked the MAF connector? Mine did the same thing after I had the truck in for warranty work, tech didn't plug in the connector for the sensor right. The truck would rev but had almost no power. Didn't set off a CEL until the connector completely came off. Maybe it came loose or something. Just a thought. Good luck hope things work out.