Manual Transmission Chatter when warm

[ticaz]

Hello T4R.org,

I have searched out a few threads on this topic, but I didn't find anything answering my question. I was wondering if anybody had an opinion on the matter or experienced this before.

I have a 5spd 1999 T4R with the 3.4L V6 (SR5 model). She seems to run really good, but I do encounter a problem after a few minutes of driving when it warms up.

Basically what happens is as I let the clutch out, I get a chatter/shudder (not like a bucking bronco), but like a washboard chatter. It only seems to do it once the truck warms up. I though I might be bogging it at first, and if I play the gas and clutch a bit, I can make the chatter almost nil, but it is there for the most part. It's seems worse when I am trying to accelerate quickly.

Here is what I am thinking:
1. Pressure plate with hot spots
2. Worn clutch
3. bad engine/transmission mounts

Any ideas would be great, and if anybody has suggestions on what might be the most likely cause, I would really appreciate it. Not sure if it makes a difference, but it was parked (on grass) for about a year before I bought it.

Truck has 125,000miles on it.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ticaz]

Might be a pointless thing to ask, but I am curious. I have always brought the engine to 1000-1500rpm for accelerating from a stop. I've always been a pretty smooth driver in manual vehicle, I just keep wondering if it's me doing something wrong. What's your method?

 

[Shibby!]

No idea, but my "old" 2009 TRD Tacoma did it A LOT. Especially warming up (first few starts of the day), and always when warming up and wet/humid out. It was a company vehicle so I didn't care about it too much and just delt with it for 100,000 km.

To be honest, I'm so glad I don't have that damn 6-speed and clutch. I found it horrible. (yet my buddies 05 seemed to be better? Maybe I had a lemon)

 

[Shibby!]

Might be a pointless thing to ask, but I am curious. I have always brought the engine to 1000-1500rpm for accelerating from a stop. I've always been a pretty smooth driver in manual vehicle, I just keep wondering if it's me doing something wrong. What's your method?

I would think 1500 is fine. Not like your racing 2500 and slipping it like I hear some poor engines. In fact I often do 1000-1200 and keep that RPM pretty constant till it's fully engaged. (mine idles around 650-700)

I doubt it's you. Sorry I can't answer the question. I'm curious what the issue is as well. As mentioned, my 09 did it since day one. My dirt bikes only do it once worn.

This 98, which I think still has a stock clutch, appears to work really quite well. Not the strongest clutch, but working!

 

[ticaz]

In fact I often do 1000-1200 and keep that RPM pretty constant till it's fully engaged. (mine idles around 650-700)

Yup, I do the same. My idle is about the same and it idles smoothly. Thanks for the input! Much appreciated.

I haven't really noticed a difference yet when it's been wet/humid out. I haven't really driven it enough yet. I will definitely pay attention to that though.

 

[JohnsD90]

So you dump the clutch at 1-1.5k? I cringe when i get over like 900rpm getting off the clutch. Thats not great for the clutch, but then again most people i get in the car with can barely drive stick anyway. Oh well, Another clutch bites the dust!

 

[ticaz]

So you dump the clutch at 1-1.5k? I cringe when i get over like 900rpm getting off the clutch. Thats not great for the clutch, but then again most people i get in the car with can barely drive stick anyway. Oh well, Another clutch bites the dust!

LOL, no I never clutch dump. Just talking about letting off the clutch during regular acceleration. I would rather have a little extra rpm there as I let the clutch out than bog the engine. As per the toyota owners manual, constant bogging can be hard on the engine.

Thanks for the input though... ill try a little lower rpm too. It's hard because it always seems to happen when I am not paying attention to rpm, like when I am turning at a stop light or something. I don't think too high rpm causes it though, like you said, all that will be happening then is ill be burning through clutches.