Hello all. I'm new here. I have a 2000 V6 Camry with a 5 speed manual transmission. The clutch hit the floor and didn't come back up. The trans wouldn't shift gear. So, after bleeding the clutch of all air and noticing that I was still dumping fluid into the resevoir, I laid on my back under the car to look up into the engine compartment, told my wif to press the cluth, and saw fluid squirt out through the space between the accumulator and the bracket it's bolted to. So, here's my question for all of you. I took off the accumulator from the bracket and didn't see the remnants of a gasket, just a bunch of crud. Is fluid supposed to be getting in between the accumulator and the bracket? Was there a gasket between the accumulator and bracket that got eaten away? Doesn't really look like it. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to know why the fluid was shooting out like that. I can only guess that a gasket inside the accumulate is malfunctioning/damage, allowing fluid to leak through that ring in the bottom side.

 

If you're sure it's not the slave cylinder that failed then it sounds like you need a new accumulator. No fluid should be escaping near the bracket, must have a busted bladder in the accumulator. Not sure but you may be able to get a repair kit for that.

 

Toyota offers no detailed info on accumulator and no parts for repairs. If it is leaking outside of a fitting you only option may be replacement.

You can try to take it apart. For gaskets, etc. you will need materials compatible with brake fluid not engine or trans fluids.

 

I too had a leaking accumulator. After replacing it to the tune of $100.00 I took the old one apart. There is a square cut o ring inside of mine that failed. I wish I had known this before buying and installing the new one. Bolting the accumulator to the bracket is what actually puts pressure on the o ring. I hope this helps someone else!

 

I could do that whenever I have some problem... this will help a lot.

 

hi guys my 96 vienta had this clutch accumulator problem also was goin to cost $450.00 to fix at a break and clutch place so after $150.00 for them to look at it i decided to fix it myself i saw no reason for this troublesome device to be there so i bypassed it all other cars and vans i have owned never needed this stupid system they were master cylinder/pipe/slave cylinder. all is fine now no dumping the clutch (in this car i've never done it not likely to in the future)
so if you have this prob goin on bypass it i see no reason to spend heaps on a device that dampens the flow of fluid if you drive sensably as well as the reports of performance drivers doing this to their cars .
mine been this way for over 3 months now and still goin strong
hope this helps save all some $$

 

Good idea custodian! I was going to do the same thing but this was my daughter's car and didn't want to take the chance of her having problems. I should have eliminated it also. If someone is driving a standard shift they should know how to let the clutch out easy and not rely on an expensive little control.

 

Cusstodian, how did you bypass the accumulator?

 

Patonium follow the line from the master cylinder to the accum disconnect it from there and extend it to the slave its that simple bleed from the slave and you will have full pedal once more this accumulator is there to make the pedal lighter it may have been there to slow down the flow of fluid on release to protect the clutch assembly when you dump the clutch .. but i am driving mine normally with no ill effects if you need more info on these systems talk to a hydrolic fitter they seem to have a handle on things better than the break specialists (its hydrolics at its most basic).. my appollo of the same year and body type dont have this unit and none of the other cars i've owned had it either and i've had a lot. maybe theres a unit that will do the same job out there in hydrolic land for a lot cheaper

 

Thanks for the reply Cusstodian. So, does your clutch engage/disengage quicker? How much harder is it to press the clutch pedal compared to stock? I wonder about this as a matter of making quicker shifts and less pedal lag. This clutch in my '07 feels like no other clutch I've driven and it lacks any real feel.