Comfortmatic Fluid Changes

[Jim]

I use a busy local mechanic who I trust to do cambelt changes etc, I know he doesn’t see many comfortmatic systems though and I want my fluids changed.

Are the fluid changes easy enough for competent independent mechanics or is it something that should be left to Fiat Professionals familiar with these machines?

 

[Lenny HB]

My local I depend is good but they don't recomended doing things like that without the full Fiat diagnostics.
My vans going into them tomorrow for a service then to a Fiat dealer next week for a clutch fluid change. You can't just change the clutch fluid on a Comformatic without the correct software, you risk ending up with no gears.

 

[dunnah01]

I'd trust your local guy if he has the right software to run the clutch bleed procedure after the fluid change. It runs 15 cycles of the clutch open/close cycle with limited pressure to make sure any air in the system is bled. A normal gravity bleed would work without the software but a bit risky if there is any air left in the system and it also leaves a bit of the old fluid in the system.

 

[Lenny HB]

A normal gravity bleed would work without the software but a bit risky if there is any air left in the system and it also leaves a bit of the old fluid in the system.

Some people on the Fiat forum say you can do it but you must disconnect the battery, but no one mentions recalibrating the clutch afterwards.
Dangerous me thinks, not worth the risk.

 

[Carpmart]

Would be really useful if we could work out a few places around the UK that understand what is required for a fluid change, have the correct kit, follow the correct process and are interested in a Funster group as a customer base!

I feel there are enough Comformatic and Agile box owners on Fun who would use this them for regular preventative gearbox service work to make it worthwhile…

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[Lenny HB]

Adams Morey at Portsmouth are one of the few dealers who understand Comformatics.

 

[Abacist]

This is a thought provoking question about servicing generally if our van based motor homes. Gone are the days when the handbook listed what had to Be done and when to the mechanicals.

My van is 2014 3 litre fiat and I got it at 4 years old with 1800 miles on the clock. A local truck garage does the servicing and MOT’s but it’s now 2023 and approaching 20k miles and only had engine oils and filters done to date plus some axle greasing.

Any suggestions as to whether that is enough?

 

[Riverbankannie]

My local I depend is good but they don't recomended doing things like that without the full Fiat diagnostics.
My vans going into them tomorrow for a service then to a Fiat dealer next week for a clutch fluid change. You can't just change the clutch fluid on a Comformatic without the correct software, you risk ending up with no gears.

Adams Morey at Portsmouth are one of the few dealers who understand Comformatics.

Is that where you are going for the clutch fluid change?

 

[Lenny HB]

This is a thought provoking question about servicing generally if our van based motor homes. Gone are the days when the handbook listed what had to Be done and when to the mechanicals.

My van is 2014 3 litre fiat and I got it at 4 years old with 1800 miles on the clock. A local truck garage does the servicing and MOT’s but it’s now 2023 and approaching 20k miles and only had engine oils and filters done to date plus some axle greasing.

Any suggestions as to whether that is enough?

If it's a Comformatic you should have the clutch fluid changed every 2 years and it's recommended the hydraulic fluid is changed at 4 years.

 

[Lenny HB]

Is that where you are going for the clutch fluid change?

Yes.

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[Bustup15]

My local I depend is good but they don't recomended doing things like that without the full Fiat diagnostics.
My vans going into them tomorrow for a service then to a Fiat dealer next week for a clutch fluid change. You can't just change the clutch fluid on a Comformatic without the correct software, you risk ending up with no gears.

Lenny, what's the quoted cost for the clutch fluid change? I've just enquired to NETV for the same, unfortunately no other choices in the NE that I'm aware of

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny, what's the quoted cost for the clutch fluid change? I've just enquired to NETV for the same, unfortunately no other choices in the NE that I'm aware of

£90.

 

[nickq]

Pains me to say the manual states to change the fluid every 96,000Km or every 2 years.
I have taken mine to Fiat Professional for every service since new (2017), they never once changed the clutch fluid .
So unless they have some different recommendation for low mileage vehicles, not stated in the manual, I think I need to find a new Fiat Professional...

 

[Trev45]

Pains me to say the manual states to change the fluid every 96,000Km or every 2 years.
I have taken mine to Fiat Professional for every service since new (2017), they never once changed the clutch fluid .
So unless they have some different recommendation for low mileage vehicles, not stated in the manual, I think I need to find a new Fiat Professional...

Exactly the same for me although in 2019 the recommended change for oil in the hydraulic clutch activation system was 60,000 miles or 4 years . In 2021 that had been amended to change every 2 years . What appears to be happening is Fiat produce a service schedule and it is not unreasonable to expect a Fiat main dealer to carry out every item on that schedule . As I mentioned in another thread my latest service at Guest Truck and Van in Peterborough alongside the operation on the scheduled servicing check list where it reads ' Change the oil for the hydraulic clutch actuation system [ versions with COMFORT-MATIC transmission] the operator [mechanic] has written OK . What does that mean ? I think it means he didn't change it and merely checked it . This again opens up an interesting discussion as presumably Fiat would list the number of hours a service should take that would include changing the oil for the hydraulic clutch . By not changing the oil the time taken for that service would be reduced by how much I have no idea .
LennyHB states he is being charge £90 for that one operation presumably that included the hydraulic oil but the majority of that cost would be labour I suspect . I think us Comfort-Matic owners are being had over to a certain extent by the attitude of Fiat Professional garages who seem to think it is OK to disregard items on a servicing schedule . With my 6 year service looming up in September I will ensure that the garage are instructed to carry out the hydraulic clutch oil change but how will I know that actually do that ?

 

[Nanniemate]

Some people on the Fiat forum say you can do it but you must disconnect the battery, but no one mentions recalibrating the clutch afterwards.
Dangerous me thinks, not worth the risk.

Sure Jim can afford £4/5000 if it goes wrong
Ask Rob

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[solaris]

Still on the subject of gearboxes but a manual one on a 2018 Peugeot Boxer. Gradually reverse gear became awkward to select so took it to our preferred garage. Guy is a keen rallier and also drives a Boxer. Explained problems, his response was when was gearbox oil last changed. Dealer serviced til then and never noted on service sheets. Oil changed and all back to normal. Know it’s not comformatic box but might be on use to manaul owners

 

[Mixyblob]

Would be really useful if we could work out a few places around the UK that understand what is required for a fluid change, have the correct kit, follow the correct process and are interested in a Funster group as a customer base!

I feel there are enough Comformatic and Agile box owners on Fun who would use this them for regular preventative gearbox service work to make it worthwhile…

This has been suggested before by me and others on here but nothing seems to have happened.
It needs soneone with a Comfortmatic van, enthusiasm and the skill to research and compile a list.
Unfortunately I only qualify for one of those.

 

[Lenny HB]

majority of that cost would be labour I suspect

£90, 80 quid of it is labour at £138 per hour (115 +vat).

 

[PP Bear]

Pains me to say the manual states to change the fluid every 96,000Km or every 2 years.
I have taken mine to Fiat Professional for every service since new (2017), they never once changed the clutch fluid .
So unless they have some different recommendation for low mileage vehicles, not stated in the manual, I think I need to find a new Fiat Professional...

Probably don’t know how to do it

 

[Lenny HB]

Probably don’t know how to do it

Problem is most of the Fiat Profession garages are truck garages not really into Motorhomes & vans.
Had one in Shoreham 2 miles from home used them once never again, no longer do Fiat thank goodness.

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[Terry]

I use a busy local mechanic who I trust to do cambelt changes etc, I know he doesn’t see many comfortmatic systems though and I want my fluids changed.

Are the fluid changes easy enough for competent independent mechanics or is it something that should be left to Fiat Professionals familiar with these machines?

Hi Jim could you share your local guy’s name/number? We have tried a couple of different garages around here for service on cars but not impressed by any. I end up going back to Yorkshire but that’s a 2hour drive plus £30/40 in fuel before we start. Kwik fit are ok for mots on cars but they don’t do MH.
Cheers Terry

 

[Lenny HB]

Adams Morey just phoned to confirm my appointment, I asked about the actuators they said they would check the fluid but no need to change it unless contaminated.

 

[lorger]

I'd trust your local guy if he has the right software to run the clutch bleed procedure after the fluid change. It runs 15 cycles of the clutch open/close cycle with limited pressure to make sure any air in the system is bled. A normal gravity bleed would work without the software but a bit risky if there is any air left in the system and it also leaves a bit of the old fluid in the system.

I assume this is for the clutch fluid and not the hydraulic fluid?

 

[lorger]

I have my van in at Motus commercial in Glasgow next Monday so I will enquire while there if they do clutch and hydraulic fluid changes on the comfortmatic box.

 

[MisterB]

Is that where you are going for the clutch fluid change?

It's where I am now, having mine done!

Just ask for Claire or Simon !

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[OldCodger]

While I was playing with the ODB leads and multiECU software I bought recently I found a setting in the software for various fluid changes.

If you need a ‘puter to do a fluid change I suspect it means it’s a specialist job!

 

[Trev45]

It's where I am now, having mine done!

Just ask for Claire or Simon !

Do they change the oil for the hydraulic clutch actuation system as part of the Fiat 2 yearly service ?

 

[MisterB]

No idea, you could ask them?

mine is 4 1/2 years old, first change as far as I am aware and its done 18k miles. Just seemed to make sense after reading some if the issues that MIGHT occur if it's not done .

 

[MisterB]

Adams Morey just phoned to confirm my appointment, I asked about the actuators they said they would check the fluid but no need to change it unless contaminated.

I'm hoping they will let me know if mine need changing ... I suspect they are pretty thorough after finding the mouse nest in the air filter (they're checking the air mass flow meter to make sure it's ok)

 

[TheBig1]

A cautionary tale. Adams Morey Southampton did the fluid change on mine last year and on their test drive the slave cylinder failed ruining the clutch. Suspect they left air in the system and didn't do it right. The van is now in Adams Morey Bournemouth with apparently the same fault. They are talking to Fiat Italy, as I think they cocked it up. The van has only done a couple of hundred miles since the £2500 bill last August

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