Comfortmatic Fluid Changes

[Nitram77]

Actually, Simon recommends changes at a max of 2 years but he changes his own annually.

Hi all.
Had our Comfortmatic fluids done at AM Portsmouth last Tuesday (24/10/23) for £147. As Lenny states here Simon (who was very helpful) said the fluid needs to be changed every 2 years.
Found AM staff to be very helpful and efficient. Everything was done on time and in about an hour. As previously stated there is a common nearby or if you prefer a retail park where you can pass the time.
Only tricky thing was finding the entrance to the motorhome service area, so below are a few pictures.

These are the building on the corners of road into industrial estate with the road next.


Then turn left here


And finally turn left here into a 'lane' before the left turn into the 'Truck yard'.


Hope this helps.

 

[MichaelT]

Might as well ask him if he can run the clutch/flywheel degredation test on it whilst it’s there

Is that the recalibration kiss touch plate thingy?

 

[WESTY66]

Is that the recalibration kiss touch plate thingy?

No I don’t think so cos Simon said he’d have to run it on mine as well as the kiss touch plate thingy!
I’m there on the 27th Nov, I’ll keep you posted

 

[Trev45]

The problem is it is not the fluid at the reservoir that deteriorates. The fluid turns grey/black at the slave cylinder and damage can be caused before it shows up at the reservoir.

What causes the fluid to turn grey / black , is it the rubber seals in the slave cylinder deteriorating or something else ?

 

[BILL 875]

HI, I had a look at my clutch reservoir over the weekend it was half way down and looked clear so stuck my finger to the bottom and I had a fine grey of whatever on my finger end so topped it up, the other reservoir next to the clutch reservoir is such a small diameter top you cannot even get your little finger in it so no idea the level in there, so maybe get it all changed, the MH has done 42000 mls 7 yrs old and works just fine. Bill

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[Verteuil Man]

I had mine done last week and they changed the brake fluid as well. Also did the clutch calibration. It was £371 with £135 of that being a log on fee to the Fiat diagnostic online system. Seems to be a standard charge.

 

[Pausim]

What causes the fluid to turn grey / black , is it the rubber seals in the slave cylinder deteriorating or something else ?

Not really sure but the seals seem a likely cause.

 

[mikebeaches]

I had mine done last week and they changed the brake fluid as well. Also did the clutch calibration. It was £371 with £135 of that being a log on fee to the Fiat diagnostic online system. Seems to be a standard charge.

Can you clarify what logging on to Fiat's diagnostic system entails? It sounds suspiciously like some sort of simple online check?

Not sure if I'm being naive, but if it is an accredited Fiat dealership, shouldn't that be completely routine and not something to be charged extra for?

I'm struggling to see exactly what special additional service is being provided?

Perhaps I'm missing something...?

 

[mikebeaches]

I had my 4 year service done at Huttons, a Fiat professional garage “premium” or Gold service.
Nothing in there about clutch hydraulic check let alone change.
View attachment 828428View attachment 828429View attachment 828430

Thanks for posting that. I'm booked into Huttons in a couple of weeks for a low mileage service.

Just being slightly pedantic for a second - I was interested to see the Premium Service invoice included spark plugs!

Sorry, couldn't resist that.

But you are of course right that there is absolutely nothing specifically about the clutch actuation fluid, just a general and vague reference to 'checking all fluids'.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Thanks for posting that. I'm booked into Huttons in a couple of weeks for a low mileage service.

Just being slightly pedantic for a second - I was interested to see the Premium Service invoice included spark plugs!

Sorry, couldn't resist that.

But you are of course right that there is absolutely nothing specifically about the clutch actuation fluid, just a general and vague reference to 'checking all fluids'.

I would have thought that they would use the Fiat service checklist that I got when I went to Imperial Commercials

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[mikebeaches]

I would have thought that they would use the Fiat service checklist that I got when I went to Imperial Commercials

Yes, exactly - totally agree. I suppose being cynical, it's perhaps a bit too demanding for them?

 

[Colin McCourt]

I had mine done last week and they changed the brake fluid as well. Also did the clutch calibration. It was £371 with £135 of that being a log on fee to the Fiat diagnostic online system. Seems to be a standard charge.

I have just been quoted today by AM in Portsmouth for clutch and hydraulic fluid changes. They are asking for £480.

 

[MichaelT]

I have just been quoted today by AM in Portsmouth for clutch and hydraulic fluid changes. They are asking for £480.

Wow cashing in

 

[WESTY66]

I have just been quoted today by AM in Portsmouth for clutch and hydraulic fluid changes. They are asking for £480.

Quoted me £147 for 27th Nov unless that’s only the clutch fluid

 

[Colin McCourt]

Quoted me £147 for 27th Nov unless that’s only the clutch fluid

Maybe you should check?

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[Verteuil Man]

Can you clarify what logging on to Fiat's diagnostic system entails? It sounds suspiciously like some sort of simple online check?

Not sure if I'm being naive, but if it is an accredited Fiat dealership, shouldn't that be completely routine and not something to be charged extra for?

I'm struggling to see exactly what special additional service is being provided?

Perhaps I'm missing something...?

Not quite sure what the Fiat connection is but there is a charge for Witech and it is also on a quote for a cam belt change.

 

[WESTY66]

Maybe you should check?

To be fair I only asked for the clutch fluid change, and kiss point recalibration, it was Simon who suggested they will do a clutch/flywheel degredation test

 

[Verteuil Man]

I have found this with the aid of our good friend Google

Chrysler wiTECH 2 Dealer Diagnostic Scan Tool

Micropod 2 interface and Chrysler wiTECH 2 license is the dealer diagnostic scan tool. FCA wiTECH 2.0 subscription works with Mopar Secure Micropod II

diagnoex.com

 

[BILL 875]

Looks like AM Portsmouth are sick of doing this job hence £480.00 to keep people away, or be a mug. Bill

 

[Vintage_Potter]

Hi Nigel,.thanks for sharing that. It doesn't say hydraulic fluid change, just gearbox oil and brake fluid?

Just curious as I'm down the road from you and would use them, however I have used E&M commercials at Kidsgrove for 20 years. martin is a sound and honest mechanic, i wonder if this is something i should ask him about.
Having said that it seems a bit complicated but if he doesn't know he will say so.

Hi Haganap, I was wondering if you ever got around to having the clutch fluid conversation with Martin at E&M Commercials?
I also live near Kidsgrove and use E&M Commercials. Since first using them for my Fiat Ducato based Adria I now take my car there too, I have a lot of faith in Martin the proprietor. He has an Autotrail on a Ducato with Comfortmatic transmission. When I spoke to him about changing the clutch fluid a few months ago he wasn't in favour. My van is a '19 plate, his is an '18 I think (but he has a new one order) and he's never done his own clutch fluid. I doubt that he will have changed his mind but more enquiries might make him more curious about it, perhaps?

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[haganap]

Hi Haganap, I was wondering if you ever got around to having the clutch fluid conversation with Martin at E&M Commercials?
I also live near Kidsgrove and use E&M Commercials. Since first using them for my Fiat Ducato based Adria I now take my car there too, I have a lot of faith in Martin the proprietor. He has an Autotrail on a Ducato with Comfortmatic transmission. When I spoke to him about changing the clutch fluid a few months ago he wasn't in favour. My van is a '19 plate, his is an '18 I think (but he has a new one order) and he's never done his own clutch fluid. I doubt that he will have changed his mind but more enquiries might make him more curious about it, perhaps?

I haven't as yet but will be doing. I agree hes a top rate mechanic who ive used for nearly 20 years.
I think he is likely to say not to touch it. His new one he has had on order for nearly 2 years

 

[Verteuil Man]

I haven't as yet but will be doing. I agree hes a top rate mechanic who ive used for nearly 20 years.
I think he is likely to say not to touch it. His new one he has had on order for nearly 2 years

When I spoke to him about it when he did the MOT he said no, but could do the cam belt. Since then his cam belt man is on l9ng term sick.

 

[dunnah01]

Hi Haganap, I was wondering if you ever got around to having the clutch fluid conversation with Martin at E&M Commercials?
I also live near Kidsgrove and use E&M Commercials. Since first using them for my Fiat Ducato based Adria I now take my car there too, I have a lot of faith in Martin the proprietor. He has an Autotrail on a Ducato with Comfortmatic transmission. When I spoke to him about changing the clutch fluid a few months ago he wasn't in favour. My van is a '19 plate, his is an '18 I think (but he has a new one order) and he's never done his own clutch fluid. I doubt that he will have changed his mind but more enquiries might make him more curious about it, perhaps?

Did he give any reason for not doing it or was it just a casual comment?

 

[Vintage_Potter]

Did he give any reason for not doing it or was it just a casual comment?

I don't remember his exact words but the gist of it was that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. As he is not only a 1st class mechanic but also an owner of a Comfortmatic-equipped outfit, I (as a non-mechanic) am inclined to take his word for it.

 

[MichaelT]

I don't remember his exact words but the gist of it was that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. As he is not only a 1st class mechanic but also an owner of a Comfortmatic-equipped outfit, I (as a non-mechanic) am inclined to take his word for it.

That's what my fiat garage says, not done one in 20 years.

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[Riverbankannie]

Just back from AM Portsmouth. Comformatic fluid and kiss point relearn plus a low mileage service £401.
However, I apparently have the dim lights on instrument panel showing, when cruise control engaged. As it never is engaged in thus country we hadn’t seen that. So we need some sort of repair which they are offering for £150 but it’s a long way to go back. He said a known problem. We did have the original dashboard lights done (not to be so dim) on a recall in 2017.
Anyone else had this fixed?

I can agree with unfortunate jerryz driving on the M27 yesterday morning, the driving was atrocious, and let’s not mention the A34 and a diversion through middle of Winchester to get home!

 

[MichaelT]

Just back from AM Portsmouth. Comformatic fluid and kiss point relearn plus a low mileage service £401.
However, I apparently have the dim lights on instrument panel showing, when cruise control engaged. As it never is engaged in thus country we hadn’t seen that. So we need some sort of repair which they are offering for £150 but it’s a long way to go back. He said a known problem. We did have the original dashboard lights done (not to be so dim) on a recall in 2017.
Anyone else had this fixed?

I can agree with unfortunate jerryz driving on the M27 yesterday morning, the driving was atrocious, and let’s not mention the A34 and a diversion through middle of Winchester to get home!

Is it an MOT issue if not why bother if you never use it?

 

[Riverbankannie]

Is it an MOT issue if not why bother if you never use it?

Not yet an MOT issue but it could be should the issue get worse and cause one or more of the lights to show up.

 

[MichaelT]

Not yet an MOT issue but it could be should the issue get worse and cause one or more of the lights to show up.

As far as I know cruise control is not part of the MOT test so likely not a failure. But when you say lights show up do you mean when you put cruise control on the dashboard goes dim or do some warning lights show up dim?

At £150 does not sound too difficult or hard so why not ask AM what the fix is then get it done locally or may be possible to do yourself if its a component change?

 

[Lenny HB]

However, I apparently have the dim lights on instrument panel showing, when cruise control engaged. As it never is engaged in thus country we hadn’t seen that. So we need some sort of repair which they are offering for £150 but it’s a long way to go back. He said a known problem

Very easy job to take the instrument binical out (less than 10min) 4 screws and one plug.
Send it to Cartronix at Waterlooville for repair.

Worth doing as it starts off just happening when you turn cruise on then it gets worse and they comes on all the time, bound to happen just before an MOT.

Speedo Repair | Instrument Cluster Repair | Dashpod Repair | Cartronix

Faulty instrument cluster? Speedo repair needed? We will help, we are dashboard repair specialists and repair all instrument panels. Call for a quote!

cartronix.co.uk

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