D4D replacement clutch slip - fixed after bleeding fluid from the system!

[Konrad C]

As it is quiet on the Avensis front, I want to post something very unusual, from the Toyota Avensis club on Facebook.

The owner of a 2004 D4D had the clutch and flywheel changed, but then the clutch began slipping! He sought advice from other sources and a mechanic advised him to bleed the hydraulic fluid out, to relieve pressure from the system. The owner was not sure and asked on Facebook. I then thought about the brake system, even though the operation is different. I responded to the Facebook post and owner replied saying that what the mechanic told him.

Anyway the owner bled the system, and so far the clutch has not slipped. 

This is something new to me. With my car and recent clutch change, the concentric bearing slave cylinder was changed, so bled as a matter of course. Cars with external slave cylinders, may not be touched so could suffer this issue.

One for owners to be aware of.     

[HartmannX]

Before changing a slipping clutch, its always important to check the clutch pedal and hydraulic, sometimes because of wear or someone unqualified adjust the pedal incorrectly.

 

If the pedal is not correctly adjusted the hydraulic master cylinder cant release the pressure in the system when you put the foot of the pedal = building up pre-pressure like when you tab a little on the pedal all the times.

 

Bleeding the system is more likely lack of maintenance because the fluid is clogging up over time.

 

But good info!