I just bought a '78 diesel cruiser with a 4 speed and after about a week of normal driving all of the sudden the clutch doesn't work. Within a few hours it went from working fine to it being hard to change gears to now you can easily press the clutch to the floor with no resistance and it won't go into gear. It also looks like there may be a bit of transmission fluid under the truck, but not sure. I can't find the tranny dipstick or fill tube. I know nothing about these things, only had it for a week. Help!
'78 FJ40 clutch problems
- Thread starter pacifico40
- Start date
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Sounds like the clutch master just gave up.
Oh, and welcome to Mud
Oh, and welcome to Mud
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks for the welcome! So how bad is this, is it an easy fix? Is there any way to rig it so that I can drive it to a mechanic (besides starting it in gear and going clutch-less)? Thanks for the help!
- Thread starter
- #4
anyone else???
Easy is always relative. But, being an inexperienced mechanic myself, it was pretty easy to replace the clutch master/slave cylinders. Replace both at the same time. Haynes or the Toyota FSM tell you how to do it. Actually, Haynes directions on this item were clearer (to me). Make sure you get Japanese parts (OEM more expensive but much better quality). You can always post up if you have problems. Good luck!
Like Tandy said, you need to replace both the master and slave cylinders at the same time. Once one gives out, the other generally follows shortly. Spend the extra bucks and get the OEM. Do it yourself and learn something new about your rig. The Haynes manual is good and there is always help here if you get stuck.
As a short term fix to get it to a mechanic, you might try to refill the reservior and bleed the system. It wont fix your leak but it might buy you enough time to get across town to a shop. Use the clutch as little as possible and you will want to stop and check/top off the fluid level often. Good luck.
As a short term fix to get it to a mechanic, you might try to refill the reservior and bleed the system. It wont fix your leak but it might buy you enough time to get across town to a shop. Use the clutch as little as possible and you will want to stop and check/top off the fluid level often. Good luck.
- Thread starter
- #7
Thanks for the help everyone. I got it to a mechanic without using the clutch, started it in first (thankfully it starts on the first crank every time) and shifted carefully. I would do it myself but I'm in Costa Rica and don't know much about getting parts, and I need to order the book. Once I have the book and know where to get parts I'll start trying things on my own, so expect lots of questions! Thanks again.
A Tico on the board or a gringo? Spent 3 nice weeks in Dominical, Quepos, Jaco, Mal Pais, Tamarindo, and Arenal. Would love to go back. Saw lots of nice Cruisers there.
Welcome
Welcome
- Thread starter
- #9
Gringo here in Costa Rica, but we're here for good! A diesel cruiser here is the perfect car, it can go anywhere (the roads suck!), good gas mileage, and parts are cheap and available. There are definitely some nice ones around.
