Does my Yaris really have a clutch problem?

[RMcG]

I am not sure if my Yaris has a clutch problem or not. It seems to chatter sometimes when going from a complete stop (on level ground or uphill) to moving in first gear. But other times, especially if I concentrate on letting the clutch out slowly, it does not chatter.

QUESTION(S): Does my Yaris really have a clutch problem or not?

Is there anything I should do to further explore this question?

Thanks,

R.

[rayfloyd170]

I am not sure if my Yaris has a clutch problem or not. It seems to chatter sometimes when going from a complete stop (on level ground or uphill) to moving in first gear. But other times, especially if I concentrate on letting the clutch out slowly, it does not chatter.

QUESTION(S): Does my Yaris really have a clutch problem or not?

Is there anything I should do to further explore this question?

Thanks,

R.


Add more details if possible, like total mileage of your car is very important,

I experienced a similar case but thinking my yaris was new at that time just roughly 35K KM so i assume it couldn't be a clutch problem.

I re-adjusted the clutch lever myself since it was adjusted by Toyota during the preventive maintenance on 30k, there was a tight tolerance "play" (feels a little engaged every time and always chatter) but after re-adjusting it everything went well and no more chattering.

I also cleaned the clutch linkages and added some lithium-based lube to the pivot point and everything was smooth.

[WeeYari]

Yes, providing us with mileage on the vehicle is very important. Unless you barely drive it and mileage is low, the clutch in an 11 year old car has got to be getting tired.

[CrankyOldMan]

The first sign I've seen of my clutch going out is slippage in 5th or 4th gear when accelerating. But that means that there's already a serious problem with one or more mating surfaces of the clutch/pressure plate/flywheel and a replacement is imminent. I don't have experience with chattering though, could be some other cause.

[RMcG]

Add more details if possible, like total mileage of your car is very important,


Very good point, sorry, I should have realized that. It has 105,000 miles on it and is almost 11.5 years old. I have not noticed slippage in 4th or 5th gear.

Thanks,

R.

[RMcG]

Very good point, sorry, I should have realized that. It has 105,000 miles on it and is almost 11.5 years old. I have not noticed slippage in 4th or 5th gear.

Thanks,

R.

QUESTIONS:

Does anybody have an opinion as to whether or not I have a clutch problem?

Is more information needed to determine whether or not I have a clutch problem?

Is there any advice you have as to what I should do at this point?

Thank you,

R.

[dogsridewith]

By bleeding the clutch, I got a couple bubbles, some particles in the fluid, a slightly higher engagement point and a bit less chatter. (Chatter seems a little more likely in reverse gear. Keeping revs up enough seems to prevent chatter. Can't say my original motor/trans mounts are getting soft.)

[RMcG]

Like I said in my original post, the clutch sometimes seems to chatter when going from a complete stop to moving in first gear. It does not happen if I let the clutch out slowly enough, but the chattering seems to be worse than in the past. On the other hand I can live with the problem as it is. The car has 105,000 miles on it and is 11.5 years old.

QUESTION: When should I begin to worry that I have enough of a problem to try DIY troubleshooting/maintenance for the clutch or seek professional help for the clutch?

Thanks,

R.

[CrankyOldMan]

If you can get it up on a lift or jacks, there's an inspection window in the engine block that lets you look at the back side of the flywheel. You might be able to get an idea of the amount of wear by the amount of dust or debris in there, but you won't be able to see the surfaces without pulling the transmission. That's not a small job.

It's kind of a catch-22 for getting a professional to look at it. If they're going to pull the transmission to inspect it, you might as well pay for the parts since they're doing all of the labor anyway. If they pull it apart and it's fine, you might as well preemptively replace it since you've got it apart.

[RMcG]

If you can get it up on a lift or jacks, there's an inspection window in the engine block that lets you look at the back side of the flywheel. You might be able to get an idea of the amount of wear by the amount of dust or debris in there, but you won't be able to see the surfaces without pulling the transmission. That's not a small job.

It's kind of a catch-22 for getting a professional to look at it. If they're going to pull the transmission to inspect it, you might as well pay for the parts since they're doing all of the labor anyway. If they pull it apart and it's fine, you might as well preemptively replace it since you've got it apart.

Thanks you C.O. Man,

I will keep your advice in mind. What are automotive signs/symptoms that may eventually show up that you (or others) think that it would be definitely advisable to get a professional to look at it?

It's been the way it is for months now, but I am concerned that eventually if there is a problem it may become essentially undrive-able at an inconvenient time or place.

Any further comments from you or others will be appreciated.

R.

[myfirstyota]

I've only seen the end of lifespan of 2 clutches. Usually, you will experience slipage under heavy load. At that point it can usually still be limped around for a couple hundred km keeping I mind to be easy on it. I doubt you'll have a complete failure leaving you stranded.

[RMcG]

I've only seen the end of lifespan of 2 clutches. Usually, you will experience slipage under heavy load. At that point it can usually still be limped around for a couple hundred km keeping I mind to be easy on it. I doubt you'll have a complete failure leaving you stranded.

thanks very much MyFirst,

Any comments from anybody else will be welcomed as well.

RMcG

[nortonfb]

Relax, enjoy the car.
If the clutch goes, fix it.
" What me Worry" Alfred E. Newman

[komichal]

My clutch is extremely stiff and there is no point where you can feel it starts to engage.
But it is not slipping at all.
Once I borrowed 10 years old Skoda Fabia (with original clutch) and I was amazed how incredibly light and precise the clutch was. It was enjoyable driving.
I have heard that the throwout bearing might be the culprit here. As it does not make sense to replace only the bearing (160,000km/100,000 miles) it would mean also pressure plate and flywheel replacement.
It costs 440 USD all inclusive. I am really not sure if this makes sense for 2500 USD car. Unfortunately, no chance for me to do it myself (I can replace suspension and everything but this job seems like too much).

[dogsridewith]

Low or no engagement position and chatter both indicate possibility of air in the system.
A first step might be basic bleeding of the clutch cylinder.