Steve Anderson Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 Is it normal to use/lose clutch fluid when towing with a manual transmission? Twice now, I have been low on clutch fluid after towing...I drop the trailer, everything's fine, then on the first really cold morning my clutch fluid is low. So there seem to be two contributing factors to clutch fluid loss: Cold and towing. Should I have it checked or just add fluid after towing and/or cold. Stuck In Baltimore, SA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameron Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 Steve, If you are loosing alot of fluid, you have a leak. Typically the slave cylinder on the bell housing is the cause. You better have it fixed, being stuck on the side of a freeway sucks. Cameron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Anderson Posted December 16, 2004 Author Share Posted December 16, 2004 I only lose it during a towing/cold combo...or, does it just show up then? Thanks, SA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackdragon Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 I have had this happen with both of my Toyotas, Truck and 4 Runner. In both cases it was a pin hole in the fliud line. Talking to my buddy who works on Toyotas he says it is common. I carry break fliud with me now. Ivan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 Brake fluid is usually what is used for "clutch fluid". Grab a bottle to have with you just in case. I don't know that towing would have any special effect, unless you are increasing pressure somehow...causing fluid to leak out faster. Check for leaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackdragon Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 Yea Flex, The second time I took my 4 runner in and told them to replace the line they said it wasn't leaking. I responded "Where did all the fluid go?" They replaced it no problems now. The pin holes are real tiny. I noticed it after towing my motorcyle trailer to Dumont. I don't know why that made any difference tho- Ivan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameron Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 Steve, The system will leak when it is under pressure. The system is only under pressure when you have the clutch pedal depressed. It is possible that you are seeing a leak under a heavy load simply because the clutch pedal is depressed for a much longer period of time. Cameron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 Also, the seals in either the clutch master cylinder or the clutch slave cylinder (or brake master cylinder as well) may leak fluid (seep) even when at rest, and, if the seals are borderline, they may leak more in colder weather. (A cold, rubber seal is less effective than a hotter one.) If the seals are in this semi-worn state, often, as soon as you apply pressure on the pedal the worn seals will flare out and expand to seal the cylinder, then when the seals are at rest they "relax" and allow some brake fluid to seep past. In any case, a mechanic should be easily able to detect the leak and repair the problem. Under no circumstances is it ever "normal" or acceptable to lose brake fluid. All leaks should be repaired as soon as possible. Especially with clutch hydraulics, it's not a bad idea to rebuild or replace both the master and slave cylinder at the same time. Even if only one is leaking, often, after repairing it, the remaining cylinder will begin leaking. But of course it could be a line or connection leaking as well, but in any case leaking break fluid always leaves behind a trail. be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokshwn Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 You think the guy would be happy enough being the all knowing all seeing of the reloading and pistol shooting world, but nooooo he has to be a master mechanic too. What BE said. Trust me I just went through this with my 93 trooper. I was adding a little fluid here and there trying to postpone taking it in and then bango no clutch at all. Also get the whole sytem done at once. Good luck, Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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