Toyota Repair: Clutch Problems, clutch, master


Question
I have a 1995 Tacoma P.U. 2 Door Standard 4 cylinder 5 speed trans that I bought new.  It has 112,317 mileage at the present time. I was having problems every once and awhile with the clutch pedal going all the way down to the floor and not being able to shift into the next gear.  It was just like when you get air into the brake system when they are not properly blead after working on them.  It only happened after so many miles and some time days would pass before it would happen.  I figured it was air in the clutch system and proberly needed the clutch slave cylinder or the clutch master cylinder replaced.  I took it to our local Toyota Dealer and told them the way it was acting and what I suspected was causing it.  They had their Tech to check it out.  He test drove it and looked it over.  He said the clutch and bearing needed to be replaced.  I disagreed because the clutch shifted smoothley with no grinding or any other problems except that once every 20 to 30 miles the clutch pedal would go straight to the floor and I would have to tap on it to get it back up than reengage it to get it to shift.  Well due to the mileage on it I figured it proberly could use a new clutch anyway so I had them install one at the cost of $734.02 dollars.  Well it is still doing the exact same thing but seems to be more often and the clutch is very touchy (the truck wants to jump and stall the engine unless you rave up the engine when you engage the clutch to get moving.
I am going to return to the dealership next week and explain the problem, but I know they will end up replacing  either or both the slave cylinder or the master cylinder and costing me more $dollars.  So I quess my question to you is am I right about the problem or do you have something other than that it might be?
Thank you in advance for your info.

Answer
Are you having to add clutch fluid?  You could have a leak.
If not, the seals on the slave or master cylinder could be allowing fluid to leak internally, thereby allowing the clutch pedal to drift.
You probably did need a new clutch based on your mileage - which is pretty good for one clutch.  The dealer should have changed out the slave cylinder while he had the tranny down.
You may be able to save some money and change out the clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder yourself, just make sure you slow-bleed the slave cylinder.

Hope this helps.

Vince