Comformatic confusion continues (1 Viewer)

[DexterP]

I read w it’s interest numerous Funsters recommending changing the clutch fluid, and only to have that carried out at Fiat maindealer garage where they have the necessary diagnostics and appropriate equipment
So I just called my nearest Fiat maindealer garage, to arrange an interim service, MOT and Clutch fluid change. The Service technician was most helpful, agreeing that they could certainly carry out the work, BUT, …..he asked if I had read about the clutch fluid change online. He then said that if the gearbox was behaving ok, then he would seriously recommend not to “meddle” as his experience was that sometimes the action of carrying out the work could end up with serious implications, with a frightener of up to £7500 risk.
I understand that it is right to make me aware that there are risks, and maybe he does this to cover themselves that at least we were made aware in advance,
So my gut is to take his advice, no clutch fluid change unless or until the gearbox starts to cause problems.
I wonder if anyone out there has good or bad experiences that may guide me.
Dexter

 

[dunnah01]

Fiat can never agree with themselves when to change it but the majority of Fiat manuals say change every 2 years which if done by grown ups shouldn't cause any issues.

 

[Just smiffy]

The dilemma is who is right… a few (and only a few) fiat dealers say do it every year and Adam’s moray is making a few bob out of his advice…. But the mains census is that fiat don’t even know as there vehicle handbooks have changed…

My ducato has 126,000 miles on it now (as far as I’m aware) hasn’t had a gearbox oil change….

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[dunnah01]

The dilemma is who is right… a few (and only a few) fiat dealers say do it every year and Adam’s moray is making a few bob out of his advice…. But the mains census is that fiat don’t even know as there vehicle handbooks have changed…

My ducato has 126,000 miles on it now (as far as I’m aware) hasn’t had a gearbox oil change….

The gearbox oil is a different system to the Comfortmatic stuff and should be good for life - or about 150k miles

 

[Lenny HB]

So my gut is to take his advice, no clutch fluid change unless or until the gearbox starts to cause problems.

By then it's too late and you will be into a repair bill of between £2000 to £5000

I wonder if anyone out there has good or bad experiences that may guide me.
Dexter

Minxy & Oscar & Kannon Fodda have recently had expensive clutch repairs due to contaminated fluid.

The dilemma is who is right… a few (and only a few) fiat dealers say do it every year and Adam’s moray is making a few bob out of his advice…. But the mains census is that fiat don’t even know as there vehicle handbooks have changed…

That is not correct Garry, Fiat recommend changing the fluid every 2 years. Simon the service manager at AM agrees with Fiat but he changes the fluid in his own van annually.

You seem to be happy not spending £130 on a clutch fluid change against the risk of a £2000 to £5000 repair bill, not a risk I was prepared to take.

Also when was the kiss alignment last done on your clutch as that needs doing regularly to avoid problems (it's done when they do the fluid change).

 

[Just smiffy]

By then it's too late and you will be into a repair bill of between £2000 to £5000

Minxy & Oscar & Kannon Fodda have recently had expensive clutch repairs due to contaminated fluid.

That is not correct Garry, Fiat recommend changing the fluid every 2 years. Simon the service manager at AM agrees with Fiat but he changes the fluid in his own van annually.

You seem to be happy not spending £130 on a clutch fluid change against the risk of a £2000 to £5000 repair bill, not a risk I was prepared to take.

Also when was the kiss alignment last done on your clutch as that needs doing regularly to avoid problems (it's done when they do the fluid change).

I agree with you Lenny, I’d like to get the oils done but you do hear of “it can cause a problem if you have it done” my van is running really sweet and I’m constantly monitoring the box and gear changes to a point of obsession…

I’m in two minds… I’d thought I’d wait a little while and see if anyone has a problem who has recently had the oils done….

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[Lenny HB]

I agree with you Lenny, I’d like to get the oils done but you do hear of “it can cause a problem if you have it done” my van is running really sweet and I’m constantly monitoring the box and gear changes to a point of obsession…

I’m in two minds… I’d thought I’d wait a little while and see if anyone has a problem who has recently had the oils done….

Nearly everyone who has had it done comments on smother gear changes and more responsive changes me included. It's probably down mostly to the kiss point realignment which most dealers don't do on a service because they haven't got a clue.

 

[WESTY66]

Nearly everyone who has had it done comments on smother gear changes and more responsive changes me included. It's probably down mostly to the kiss point realignment which most dealers don't do on a service because they haven't got a clue.

Spot on Lenny, that’s what I’ve found, I’m very happy I made the trek down there to have it done, it’s a lot smoother on take up now which I agree is probably down to the kiss point re learn

 

[TheMachMan]

Had ours done for its 4 year service. Don’t see the benefit of not having it done and then creating a potential problem, which then everyone denigrates the comfortmatic system?

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[Just smiffy]

Nearly everyone who has had it done comments on smother gear changes and more responsive changes me included. It's probably down mostly to the kiss point realignment which most dealers don't do on a service because they haven't got a clue.

I’ll be up your way in march and I’ll probably book it in for then….

 

[Lenny HB]

I’ll be up your way in march and I’ll probably book it in for then….

Common sense at last.

 

[Fragle]

The dilemma is who is right… a few (and only a few) fiat dealers say do it every year and Adam’s moray is making a few bob out of his advice…. But the mains census is that fiat don’t even know as there vehicle handbooks have changed…

My ducato has 126,000 miles on it now (as far as I’m aware) hasn’t had a gearbox oil change….

My Ducato Comformatic had 20k on it and was fine and is now somebody else's problem.

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[peterc10]

This morning I phoned Adams Morey in Portsmouth and booked the first fluid change on my 8 year old Hymer's Comformatic box. At about £150 ish it seems to me it is sensible to have it done every 2 years from now on.

 

[Minxy]

@Minxy & @Oscar & @Kannon Fodda have recently had expensive clutch repairs due to contaminated fluid.

Ours wasn't caused by contaminated fluids, the clutch cylinder was leaking, we collected it this morning and were given the parts back.

 

[Lenny HB]

Ours wasn't caused by contaminated fluids, the clutch cylinder was leaking, we collected it this morning and were given the parts back.

What did they replace?

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[TheBig1]

I got my van used and with a good service history, which I continued to the schedule fiat put in their books at the time. The hydraulic actuating fluid had never been changed and it turns out contamination leaks in past seals. The upshot was a total loss of gears and the slave cylinder dumped fluid onto the clutch. The mechanic that took it apart first thought it had lost all fluid. It was like treacle though. £2500 later I got it back and it packed in again within a year and other than a replacement seal was covered under the warranty. Thankfully I have breakdown cover, which despite being with the RAC was handled by HGV specialists both times. HGV breakdown and transport is measured in thousands of pounds and only a few places do it. Not getting mine changed again this year if I can avoid it, but it will be done next year regardless. I was very lucky to have broken down both times within 25 miles of my local Adams Morey and within 10 of the Portsmouth branch. I wouldn't trust a backstreet garage in an unknown area to gamble whether they were capable of doing it right. It's not a simple process and getting it wrong is what causes problems

As for leaving it till it breaks, you are then pretty certain it will cost a few grand to fix and who knows when? To misquote Dirty Harry Do you feel lucky this holiday?

 

[Minxy]

What did they replace?

Clutch kit (1666756980) @ £310+VAT and slave cylinder (55251546) @ £100 +VAT, then they flushed hydraulics & calibrated. They actually discounted the parts as their list prices were £347 & £130 +VAT respectively. The labour/other costs came out at £1057+VAT, grand total of £1467+VAT = £1760.