Comfortmatic Fluid Changes

[zac]

I’ve said before I don’t think it’s right that something like this needs doing every year. But hey ho.
I love our van but will probably change next year away from Fiat if funding allows
We now use a local guy for damp checks. Very good and half the cost

Mines never been done if referring to fluid change, if talking about damp check there is no way i would miss a damp check each year given the issues i have had recently with water ingress. This is not a full habitation check, it's just the £90 damp check so crucial in my experience.

 

[Riverbankannie]

This all seems a bit odd to me that we are all having to drive to Portsmouth for what seems to be a clutch fluid change?
Don't get me wrong I have no idea about such things but they can't be the only garage in the UK that is able to carry out this procedure. I'll check with my local garage (Bristol) to see what they say and report back.
If in the meantime anyone knows of a garage that can carry out the work in Bristol/Gloucester or Somerset please advise. Thanks

If we hadn’t decided to go to Adams Moreley, I would have gone to Huttons just outside Weston super mare. The reason is that some sort of clutch calibration routine is required with the Fiat software.
I used them after the first service at Imperial Commercials in centre of Bristol but it was very expensive and a yard full of trucks, so I didn’t return there.
I then went to Huttons who I was happy with but a bit of a trek from South Glos, so then I changed to an independent on Old Gloucester Airfield for services.
However, apart from Huttons, none of them deal a lot with Comformatic gear boxes and so we we have decided on Adams Moreley this time.
Huttons had a lot of MHs in last time we were there and they have all the software as a Fiat Professional dealer, I think they would be a good choice.

 

[AG 2602]

If we hadn’t decided to go to Adams Moreley, I would have gone to Huttons just outside Weston super mare. The reason is that some sort of clutch calibration routine is required with the Fiat software.
I used them after the first service at Imperial Commercials in centre of Bristol but it was very expensive and a yard full of trucks, so I didn’t return there.
I then went to Huttons who I was happy with but a bit of a trek from South Glos, so then I changed to an independent on Old Gloucester Airfield for services.
However, apart from Huttons, none of them deal a lot with Comformatic gear boxes and so we we have decided on Adams Moreley this time.
Huttons had a lot of MHs in last time we were there and they have all the software as a Fiat Professional dealer, I think they would be a good choice.

Thanks Annie I'll give them a bell

 

[Pausim]

Take care one of the Glos. Fiat Pro. garages was recently not changing the fluid saying it is not needed despite it being shown in the most recent service schedule.

 

[Antique]

Take care one of the Glos. Fiat Pro. garages was recently not changing the fluid saying it is not needed despite it being shown in the most recent service schedule.

Just as I was told by my Fiat Professional garage motorhome dealer !!

All the best
Antique

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[Riverbankannie]

Take care one of the Glos. Fiat Pro. garages was recently not changing the fluid saying it is not needed despite it being shown in the most recent service schedule.

Just as I was told by my Fiat Professional garage motorhome dealer !!

All the best
Antique

Husband had similar from a Fiat garage more locally, if it’s working ok don’t change it. That’s why I was going to approach Huttons but then, as we are booked into Devizes CCC just before service due, we decided to make a detour down to Portsmouth on the wayback.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Thanks Annie I'll give them a bell

It would be good to hear what the service manager there says. He seemed a good chap when we went there.

 

[AG 2602]

It would be good to hear what the service manager there says. He seemed a good chap when we went there.

I'll report back. Thanks again

 

[Fragle]

All sorted and back home. £700 lighter but full service and first comformatic fluid change all ok. Fluid was clean so will get that done again next year.
If we don’t change the van first.

 

[AG 2602]

It would be good to hear what the service manager there says. He seemed a good chap when we went there.

Hi Annie spoke to the service manager at Huttons today and explained the situation re fluid changes for the comformatic gear boxes. He seemed to understand what I was talking about but was still a little vague. Anyway bottom line is he said he would call me back.
I find it very odd that Fiat specialists don’t seem to have the expertise or the equipment to carry out this work on their own vehicles.

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[Riverbankannie]

Hi Annie spoke to the service manager at Huttons today and explained the situation re fluid changes for the comformatic gear boxes. He seemed to understand what I was talking about but was still a little vague. Anyway bottom line is he said he would call me back.
I find it very odd that Fiat specialists don’t seem to have the expertise or the equipment to carry out this work on their own vehicles.

Especially as it seems to have been put on the service schedule to change rather than check, around 2019.
p.s. I am talking about clutch hydraulic fluid not gearbox oil.

 

[AG 2602]

Especially as it seems to have been put on the service schedule to change rather than check, around 2019.
p.s. I am talking about clutch hydraulic fluid not gearbox oil.

Yes I explained it was the clutch hydraulic fluid that was required as well as touch point recal.
There must be a contact point at Fiat HQ who would be able to recommend UK garages that are able to carry out this work.

 

[TheBig1]

Let's put it this way, Adams Morey Bournemouth put in a video call to the factory in Italy about my van's issues. The problem then got passed to Southampton branch under direction from the area manager (Was service manager at Portsmouth) and was fixed immediately at their cost. So it's not just the various Fiat Pro garages, but it's even branches of otherwise clued up garages that are in the dark

ALL of them have the tech and tools, but apparently the knowledge is lacking

 

[Riverbankannie]

Yes I explained it was the clutch hydraulic fluid that was required as well as touch point recal.
There must be a contact point at Fiat HQ who would be able to recommend UK garages that are able to carry out this work.

Fiat HQ are likely to say that any of their registered and accredited garages can do all work required.
Rather like the RAC subcontractors in France in @oscar’s sorry tale, we took you to a garage who are accredited and said they can fix Fiats.

 

[AG 2602]

Not really taking any responsibility for the vehicles that they sell which I find surprising given their market share.
Doesn’t fill me with confidence!, I’m going to do a little more digging on this.

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[AG 2602]

Yes I explained it was the clutch hydraulic fluid that was required as well as touch point recal.
There must be a contact point at Fiat HQ who would be able to recommend UK garages that are able to carry out this work.

Hi Just an update from Huttons near Weston Super Mare they can change the hydrolic clutch fluid and perfom a re learn for £360 inc vat. She seemed to think that it would be a 3 hour job.

 

[dunnah01]

Hi Just an update from Huttons near Weston Super Mare they can change the hydrolic clutch fluid and perfom a re learn for £360 inc vat. She seemed to think that it would be a 3 hour job.

Presumably she meant 3 min job and not 3 hours

 

[AG 2602]

Presumably she meant 3 min job and not 3 hours

To be honest I’m not sure what’s involved so I couldn’t really question it. My quest is only to find other garages that can do the work to save me driving to Portsmouth!

 

[Minxy]

Hi Just an update from Huttons near Weston Super Mare they can change the hydrolic clutch fluid and perfom a re learn for £360 inc vat. She seemed to think that it would be a 3 hour job.

To be honest I’m not sure what’s involved so I couldn’t really question it. My quest is only to find other garages that can do the work to save me driving to Portsmouth!

At £213 more than going down south I'd rather have a little 'holiday' and we're further north than you!

 

[AG 2602]

At £213 more than going down south I'd rather have a little 'holiday' and we're further north than you!

Yeah I know what your saying but I'm still working so its more difficult for me to justify the time driving there. Maybe I'll give them another call and and question the price!

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[Pausim]

Yeah I know what your saying but I'm still working so its more difficult for me to justify the time driving there. Maybe I'll give them another call and and question the price!

I would have thought a standard job would have a fixed number of hours assigned to it by Fiat.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Hi Just an update from Huttons near Weston Super Mare they can change the hydrolic clutch fluid and perfom a re learn for £360 inc vat. She seemed to think that it would be a 3 hour job.

I think you need a personal chat with the service manager. I am getting an interim service done at AM for £285 (probably not inc vat but I don’t know) and the clutch hydraulic fluid change for £147 but she said would knock something off that as having the interim service at same time.
Edit
mikebeaches, you go to Huttons don’t you?

 

[AG 2602]

I think you need a personal chat with the service manager. I am getting an interim service done at AM for £285 (probably not inc vat but I don’t know) and the clutch hydraulic fluid change for £147 but she said would knock something off that as having the interim service at same time.
Edit
mikebeaches, you go to Huttons don’t you?

Called them back and was told that the price was correct think I might make further enquiries but ti be honest I’d rather pay the £360 than drive to Portsmouth. By the time I calculate the cost of diesel and my time there’s not a great deal in it. Although it’s never a nice feeling that your paying over the odds!

 

[Mixyblob]

Called them back and was told that the price was correct think I might make further enquiries but ti be honest I’d rather pay the £360 than drive to Portsmouth. By the time I calculate the cost of diesel and my time there’s not a great deal in it. Although it’s never a nice feeling that your paying over the odds!

No plans to venture abroad in the near future? Several people seem to be diverting via AM Portsmouth on their way to France. Two birds with one stone.

 

[Pausim]

No plans to venture abroad in the near future? Several people seem to be diverting via AM Portsmouth on their way to France. Two birds with one stone.

A M Portsmouth is also on the way to the Isle of Wight for those not planning on going to France.

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[Freo]

Hi Just an update from Huttons near Weston Super Mare they can change the hydrolic clutch fluid and perfom a re learn for £360 inc vat. She seemed to think that it would be a 3 hour job.

I got mines done at Adams Morey, Portsmouth earlier this year. Just to confirm that this was for a clutch hydraulic fluid replacement and clutch kiss point recalibration only. No other work was done.

I was told it would take an hour. In the event, I think it actually took about 45-50 mins. Perhaps you could call Adams Morey and enquire how long the job takes? Or others may like to advise?

 

[Mickey1]

I got mines done at Adams Morey, Portsmouth earlier this year. Just to confirm that this was for a clutch hydraulic fluid replacement and clutch kiss point recalibration only. No other work was done.

I was told it would take an hour. In the event, I think it actually took about 45-50 mins. Perhaps you could call Adams Morey and enquire how long the job takes? Or others may like to advise?

Yes, had ours done there 2 weeks ago, under the hour.

 

[the1andonly]

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.

Is there a writen method for changing cluch and comformatic fluid. We have a vacuum bleeder (and gravity if preffered) and multiecuscan. This is for for a friend honest i ave a manual but expect to be "assisting".

 

[dunnah01]

Is there a writen method for changing cluch and comformatic fluid. We have a vacuum bleeder (and gravity if preffered) and multiecuscan. This is for for a friend honest i ave a manual but expect to be "assisting".

I've never seen a written procedure for either but it's pretty straight-forwards:

To change the clutch fluid only use the gravity bleed method.

Remove air filter to gain access to the CSC bleed screw and eggcup fluid reservoir. If you have the system with a common reservoir with the brake fluid you'll need to vacuum the fluid from the brake reservoir and refill with clean DOT4 beforehand making sure you don't allow any air into the brake circuit.

Fix clear plastic tube to CSC bleed screw and turn 1/2 turn to allow DOT4 to start flowing. Top up the reservoir with new fluid making sure it never fully empties. Once you're happy that the fluid has been completely changed lock off the CSC bleed screw and top up the eggcup DOT4 level to about 10mm below the cap.

To change the hydraulic fluid just vacuum out as much as you can from the reservoir and refill with clean ATF fluid to the middle joint level of the reservoir.

Neither of these procedures need any recalibration but there will always be a very small amount of old fluid left in both systems but this isn't a problem.

If the system hasn't been recalibrated for more then 10k miles then it's also worth doing a 'Clutch self calibration enable' routine to re-teach the clutch parameters.

If any air gets into the system or you have to change any components of either the clutch or Comfortmatic hydraulics then you'll need to do a full procedure that I bolted onto the end of the below stab at a tech sheet.

 

[JimmE]

That document is a great explaination, thanks.

...except the mastercylinder is operated by hydraulics rather than the organic blob holding the steering wheel

(although I wish I'd not taken a mouthful of tea before reading that line)

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