Comfortmatic Fluid Changes

[MisterB]

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

I am hoping that if the issue was down to them, that they would have circulated the information throughout their branches to prevent further occurrences ...

 

[TheBig1]

I am hoping that if the issue was down to them, that they would have circulated the information throughout their branches to prevent further occurrences ...

I would hope so, and cover the bill to rectify would be good too

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Have a bit of history with Adams More Portsmouth put my firms MAN 7.5t tipper in there and when I went to pick it up after they had carried out some work the chap said, we have had a bit of an accident with your lorrya bit!!someone had cut the corner and took part of the front off!! Why they didn’t ring me I don’t know, it then took months for them to get it sorted.

When I had my current van serviced at Hendy Iveco in Southampton I said to them I don’t want it parked in the yard, no we don’t do that the chap said it will be parked in a bay out the way. Bugger me if I didn’t go back at the end of the day to collect it and it was parked up in the yard next to skip and tipper lorries told the Hendy Bloke what I thought of them and now have it serviced in Germany when we are away.

First thing they do in Germany is a chap comes along with a cart and covers everything with paper and proper covers on the seats….

 

[TheBig1]

Have a bit of history with Adams More Portsmouth put my firms MAN 7.5t tipper in there and when I went to pick it up after they had carried out some work the chap said, we have had a bit of an accident with your lorrya bit!!someone had cut the corner and took part of the front off!! Why they didn’t ring me I don’t know, it then took months for them to get it sorted.

When I had my current van serviced at Hendy Iveco in Southampton I said to them I don’t want it parked in the yard, no we don’t do that the chap said it will be parked in a bay out the way. Bugger me if I didn’t go back at the end of the day to collect it and it was parked up in the yard next to skip and tipper lorries told the Hendy Bloke what I thought of them and now have it serviced in Germany when we are away.

First thing they do in Germany is a chap comes along with a cart and covers everything with paper and proper covers on the seats….

Mine is currently beside the tipper wagons and skip lorries in the yard, where dropped off by the HGV wrecker

 

[Emmit]

Simon-Alan Kerr

Got any Comfortmatic whizz kids @ Alan Kerr's?

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[Coastal Cruiser.]

Mine is currently beside the tipper wagons and skip lorries in the yard, where dropped off by the HGV wrecker

 

[Rogerwyn]

The reason you need to calibrate the trans after a fluid change is that at the start off the calibration sequence it’ll active all solenoids passively to expel any air in the solenoid

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Mine is currently beside the tipper wagons and skip lorries in the yard, where dropped off by the HGV wrecker

As I arrived at AM Portsmouth on the wrecker there were frantic signals from blokes in the truck area to turn round and go to different area. At Portsmouth the Fiat Professional area for vans and motorhomes is a separate part of building and yard to any trucks.

Not all Adams Morey branches service Motorhomes. Of those that do it seems Portsmouth has big advantage that their service manager has a Comfortmatic and thus has an added interest in understanding them.

 

[TheBig1]

As I arrived at AM Portsmouth on the wrecker there were frantic signals from blokes in the truck area to turn round and go to different area. At Portsmouth the Fiat Professional area for vans and motorhomes is a separate part of building and yard to any trucks.

Not all Adams Morey branches service Motorhomes. Of those that do it seems Portsmouth has big advantage that their service manager has a Comfortmatic and thus has an added interest in understanding them.

When I speak to them again tomorrow I may suggest they speak to the Portsmouth manager. They are already being careful what they say about what happened at Southampton last year

 

[CazPaul]

No wonder some folk like traditional old fashioned engineering

Can’t change fluid without software, good grief how complicated.

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[Lenny HB]

When I speak to them again tomorrow I may suggest they speak to the Portsmouth manager. They are already being careful what they say about what happened at Southampton last year

His name is Simon Potter.

 

[dunnah01]

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 risky .

Gravity bleed is fine but a good idea to disconnect battery to make sure the master cylinder isn't activated by mistake. The clutch bleed procedure just mixes the residual fluid from the piston chamber with the fresh stuff in the reservoir. There's no reason to recalibrate the clutch if you're not having problems but I'd rather it was done at the same time to baseline everything again. I'd also want to see the clutch recalibration done at every service but I'd never expect to argue that one with the dealers.

 

[Wanderlust]

https://hoddysrecovery.co.uk/ if in the NE, they do all of Gateshead councils vehicles.

 

[Lenny HB]

Gravity bleed is fine but a good idea to disconnect battery to make sure the master cylinder isn't activated by mistake. The clutch bleed procedure just mixes the residual fluid from the piston chamber with the fresh stuff in the reservoir. There's no reason to recalibrate the clutch if you're not having problems but I'd rather it was done at the same time to baseline everything again. I'd also want to see the clutch recalibration done at every service but I'd never expect to argue that one with the dealers.

I decided for the sake of 90 quid I'm not going to risk it.

 

[dunnah01]

The reason you need to calibrate the trans after a fluid change is that at the start off the calibration sequence it’ll active all solenoids passively to expel any air in the solenoid

That is really only for true automatics. It's a different sequence for robotic systems but sort of achieves the same results.

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[TheCaller]

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.

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.

Same here Jim if you wouldn't mind.

I have had recommendations for Greenards Garage in North Somercoates from several people who I consider well informed. They take their vans out to Nth Somercoates from Louth despite there being plenty of service & repair places in Louth.

 

[MisterB]

I know someone who went to Southampton branch today when they were booked in at Portsmouth today .... No names, no pack drill ...

But I did see a lot of motorhomes at both branches..... Sh1t, you now know it was me ... Seems like Portsmouth had two comformatic failures in aswell .. service manager is certainly not a fan of comformatics and suggested fluid change and recalibration every 12 months should be considered..

 

[JimmE]

Simon-Alan Kerr

Got any Comfortmatic whizz kids @ Alan Kerr's?

If they do, I’m local so would be looking to get mine booked in too!

 

[dunnah01]

. service manager is certainly not a fan of comformatics and suggested fluid change and recalibration every 12 months should be considered..

This is the best advice I've seen a garage give (except the not a fan bit ), why can't they all be as proficient and actually do the correct recalibration

 

[Emmit]

I've made enquiries locally (Plymouth/Saltash) as well as my reliable mechanic
and MOT place.

None of them wanted to do anything to do with changing the fluid.

I've amended my cross channel ticket and booked it into Adams Morey
at Portsmouth where at least I know that they know what they are dealing
with.

It's a 'While you Wait' service and I've been quoted £80 + VAT.

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[Carpmart]

I've made enquiries locally (Plymouth/Saltash) as well as my reliable mechanic
and MOT place.

None of them wanted to do anything to do with changing the fluid.

I've amended my cross channel ticket and booked it into Adams Morey
at Portsmouth where at least I know that they know what they are dealing
with.

It's a 'While you Wait' service and I've been quoted £80 + VAT.

How do we all know AM are doing it properly, not just telling us they are doing it properly?

 

[Emmit]

How do we all know AM are doing it properly, not just telling us they are doing it properly?

Harvey,

How long would it take AM to FUBAR a Comfortmatic fluid change and it NOT get
it plastered all over this Forum?

Put another way. The job is necessary. Do I go to someone who has been recommended
on here or ?????? No one locally wants to do it. I lack the necessary skills and
equipment to do it. Has anyone on here suggested an alternative?

That well known phrase comes to mind, Damned if I do, damned if I don't.
Or 'Dirty Harry," Do you feel lucky""Well, Do you"

 

[Nanniemate]

How do we all know AM are doing it properly, not just telling us they are doing it properly?

Kannonfodda Rob seems happy with his he is giving it a good test at the mmomentfingers crossed its going well

 

[Freo]

Had my Comfortmatic van done on Monday 5th June at Adams Moray, Portsmouth, as suggested/advised some weeks ago by Lenny HB (Thanks Lenny) on Kannonfodda’s thread.
Since then, I’ve travelled home to Scotland with no issues.

It’s an early 2017 registered 2.3L Ducato based unit which I bought privately in 2021. I have no idea if the clutch fluid has ever been replaced previously but I’ll be looking to get it done annually from now on. Bit of a trek to Portsmouth so if anyone knows a Fiat Comfortmatic specialist nearer home, then please, do tell.

 

[TheBig1]

How do we all know AM are doing it properly, not just telling us they are doing it properly?

I hope they have learn't from previous mistakes like mine. Changed fluid and left air in which blew the slave cylinder, fixed apparently but did the same within 300 miles. At least they owned the failure and covered the cost. Including a 25 mile move between garages. HGV recovery is not exactly cheap an the recovery trucks are constantly busy. Moving mine will have cost them 3 hours

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[Kannon Fodda]

I wish I was on some sort of commission for all the work the Portsmouth branch are getting. Suspect Lenny HB would like a cut too as he put me onto them.

The service manager at Portsmouth, Simon Potter, seemed to know his stuff and made it clear they didn't want any short cuts on the Comfortmatic, even to the extent that once upon a time they'd use an equivalent grade fluid but now only use the Fiat stuff just in case there was any difference. I'd expect TheBig1 issues will have reinforced training at many AM branches.

I've now done over 1000 miles since my repair and (touch a lot of fake wood as nothings real in this PVC), it's fine. As much as I can I trust it. Having done a lot of motorway including 2 hours worth of M25 stop start, I've been from Surrey to Scotland and am now starting out on the windy Wild Atlantic Way of Eire.

 

[Jim]

Called in to my local guy today, hooked it up but his computer said 'NO' and insisted a Commercial module be fitted to his system which would cost over 2k. So Fiat Professional it is.

Phoned a dealer who is also a Fiat Pro dealer who said they could do it but insisted that unless I was experiencing problems the fluid was good to at least 70,000 miles and changing it might actually cause issues.

Maybe a trip to Portsmouth or Southampton is required.

 

[dunnah01]

Changed the clutch fluid today. Probably last done when the previous owner had the eye watering gearbox and Comfortmatic controls replaced in 2015 at 12k miles and nearly as many £s according to the receipts in the purchase pack. The van has now done 47k and the 8 year old fluid that came out was good as new. The hydraulic fluid also looks brand new so didn't change it. Ran the bleed procedure and clutch self calibration so fingers crossed it keeps going for quite a few more miles.

 

[WESTY66]

Changed the clutch fluid today. Probably last done when the previous owner had the eye watering gearbox and Comfortmatic controls replaced in 2015 at 12k miles and nearly as many £s according to the receipts in the purchase pack. The van has now done 47k and the 8 year old fluid that came out was good as new. The hydraulic fluid also looks brand new so didn't change it. Ran the bleed procedure and clutch self calibration so fingers crossed it keeps going for quite a few more miles.

Thanks for the info, mines just gone over 44k I contacted the previous owner (it’s a one previous owner from new) and they’ve had ZERO things done to the clutch, gearbox or ANYTHING comfortmatic related, and it drives flawless, changes are smooth and it drives very good indeed!
I was going to go get it changed but do I really need to upset something that clearly works as it should??

 

[Carpmart]

Changed the clutch fluid today. Probably last done when the previous owner had the eye watering gearbox and Comfortmatic controls replaced in 2015 at 12k miles and nearly as many £s according to the receipts in the purchase pack. The van has now done 47k and the 8 year old fluid that came out was good as new. The hydraulic fluid also looks brand new so didn't change it. Ran the bleed procedure and clutch self calibration so fingers crossed it keeps going for quite a few more miles.

Might look good but it’s hydroscopic! Hence why these kind of fluids need doing!

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