7th Gen - 1994 Corrolla DX 4dr sedan

[2004 Camry SE 3.3]

I recently purchased a 1994 Toyota Corrolla DX 4dr Sedan, manual transmission, and with 120k miles on odometer. First things I had done to the car was to have it inspected, have a tune up, replace a leaky pressure hose on the power steering unit, replaced thermostat, and smog checked.

One thing I noticed at the very start was that the clutch was too soft and the gear shifting is, too. Despite the soft clutch and gear shifting, all seems fine -- shifts into all gear without problems until I try make a quick take off from first gear -- it judders/shudders. The only way I can take off from first gear is to do it ever soooooooooo gently. After being successful in taking off without the judder/shudder, everything else is fine.

My suspicions lead me to think that the person I bought the car from had put in the wrong type of transmission oil. Would this be a correct assumption?

I would greatly appreciate advise from a Toyota specialist.

[GTChink]

my used 94 corolla did the same thing for a year until I decided to replace the thermostat. For the reason being that my heater would never heat up at all and my temp gauge needle always stayed at C. Ever since the new thermostat, temp gauge needle is halfway which is normal, heater works, and the judder is gone! Not sure why but it worked and that's all it matters to me

[sequoiasoon]

I don't think the gear lube (not tranny fluid) would change any of that. Shifting/grinding issues definite possibility (I had that). I had my clutch replaced with an aftermarket one and shortly after developed a chatter/shaking in first gear. Shop resurfaced the flywheel under warranty (90 day) and it was fixed for about 2 weeks and started doing it again. They warrantied it again, resurfaced and put in a factory one. Chatter was gone for good.

Best description was more like pad material left on flywheel sort of like the same thing that happens with brakes when they pulse. Sometimes metal is warped sometimes brake pad material is left on the surface causing it.

Mine was also fine in all other gears and shifted smooth when it was chattering in first.

[2004 Camry SE 3.3]

Thanks for your experiences.

I'd like to hear from a Toyota tech on what they think is causing the problem.

[jfgarro]

You can check also the engine mounts....16 years or more of driving and the mount's material start to crack and show it's age. I changed mine and can feel a difference while driving, especially when take off in first gear...really smooth, like a new car!

[2004 Camry SE 3.3]

Originally Posted by jfgarro

You can check also the engine mounts....16 years or more of driving and the mount's material start to crack and show it's age. I changed mine and can feel a difference while driving, especially when take off in first gear...really smooth, like a new car!

sorry i couldn't respond sooner. i was in the process of relocating to another state.

i brought the car to a mechanic and they found that the master and slave clutch had to be replaced. the car runs great now.

thanks for all the advise.

[Bitter]

Has the timing belt ever been replaced? its due every 60k miles!