Comfortmatic gearbox issue - fact or fallacy?

Minxy Girl said:
The current 2.3 comes in 2 power levels, ie 130 or 150, not 180 as far as I know.

I was getting the 3.0 litre ones the wrong way round, 160 for earlier models, 180 now.
Click to expand...
130 150 or 180
https://www.fiatcamper.com/en/product/engines

180 MULTIJET
Simply the best

Euro 6 Multijet 2
Power: 177 CV at 3500 rpm
Torque: 400 Nm at 1500 rpm
Displacement: 2300 cm3
Fuel consumption (*): -19% vs. Euro 5+ -29% vs. Euro 4

Also available with six-speed robotised gearbox

* fuel consumption data always refer to vans on mixed cycle

Advantages:
• Variable geometry turbocharger
• The same power and torque as the 180 Multijet Euro 5+ and 40 kilograms lighter
• -19% fuel consumption
• Servicing every 48,000 km (or 2 years)
 
matamoros said:
Got to agree, I had the same problem with earlier Merc Actroses, stick in gear, stop ring assistance, wait 20 mins and fault cleared before assistance arrived, don't know if same set up though.
Click to expand...

My god , an Actros wonderful bit of kit , but man expensive to operate and thirsty to go with it , the most i managed was 8.5 mpg . I think it had a preselect gearbox , basically a second generation eps ( electronic power shift) , computer controlled , it's the great grandfather of the robotic gearboxes we have now , they went automatic about mid 2000 . Scania produced one at the same time , cag ( computer assisted gearbox ) , never had anything to do with it , so i can't pass comment . I did drive an auto Actros , brand new . but i was lucky to get 8 mpg , i did once manage to get 9.5 in manual , slip streaming the motor in front , it was hard work though and as soon as i lost him the economy dropped like a stone . I only drove it in auto empty , loaded , i used manual . Fully freighted at 44 ton , with a double deck trailer in tow , it was constantly changing gear , kept killing itself , by changing up at the wrong time . Comfortable motor though .

Hah , i once drove one of the first fully automatic Iveco's , cant remember much about it , but it was about the early 2000's . I remember it because i dragged it off a set of light's , 33. 8 second's , 0 -55 , but i swear you could watch the fuel gauge go down . Lol sorry , off subject .
 
I really wanted to get an automatic van, but I was VERY wary of the comfomatic gearbox so the only other way around it was to pay A LOT more money and buy the Mercedes base with the 7G automatic box on it.
It left me buying a new Hymer which although very nice was a lot more than I really wanted to pay. The alternative was the Autosleeper range with a cab on the front. It is easy to drive but at speed is a slug to accelerate over 55 mph unless you drop a speed or tow with the 'Tiptronc' facility then it goes, otherwise it starts torquing the hydraulic flywheel, which absorbs power with no more go. bit like a slipping clutch.
Manual are nice but going up and down a manual is hard work in a roundabout or similar place. alot easier just plonk the right foot down and steer. I am happy with it. except the g/box, oil change price at a Merc commercial dealer.
 
We have had 4 - 3.0 Fiats all manual no probs at all, we have just bought a new Hymer comfort magic took a few miles to become a customised with the gear box and get familiar with the style of driving but 200 miles on I don't mind it seems to do the job fine hopefully for many years. I think understanding how the box works makes a difference to how you drive it.
We have had Mercedes autos for years now including 7 Getronics the 7 gs are a nice box but for years the the predecessor was poor to say the least.
Any way here is to a lot of trouble free miles in our new van.

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Techno said:
130 150 or 180
https://www.fiatcamper.com/en/product/engines

180 MULTIJET
Simply the best

Euro 6 Multijet 2
Power: 177 CV at 3500 rpm
Torque: 400 Nm at 1500 rpm
D:X3:isplacement: 2300 cm3
Fuel consumption (*): -19% vs. Euro 5+ -29% vs. Euro 4

Also available with six-speed robotised gearbox

* fuel consumption data always refer to vans on mixed cycle

Advantages:
• Variable geometry turbocharger
• The same power and torque as the 180 Multijet Euro 5+ and 40 kilograms lighter
• -19% fuel consumption
• Servicing every 48,000 km (or 2 years)
Click to expand...
I thought we were talking about Euro 5 ... :X3: (they dropped the 110 version I believe).

https://www.motorhomeplanet.co.uk/archives/5222
 
Techno said:
Why?
Click to expand...
Because people have been talking about their experiences of vans they already own, some for quite a while, so they are more than likely Euro 5 rather than the newer Euro 6 ...

Note to self ... don't try to do technical chat with Techno late at night ... I'll always end up tied in knots! :LOL:
 
G7UXG said:
Funny this thread should crop up.

I have a 3 month old Carthago, 3 litre Comfort-Matic.
Guess what? Driving north along the A438 towards Rouen in France (yesterday), approached a roundabout with the vehicle in 5th... it didn't change down and remained stuck in fifth. As I slowed down the 'box stayed in 5th. i had to slow down because of traffic and, because there is no clutch to press, the vehicle stalled.

Couldn't get it to select neutral. Usually, with the brake pedal depressed, when the ignition key is turned the 'box selects neutral and the engine starts but the 'box would not move out of 5th.

I was recovered and the vehicle will be taken to a Fiat dealer on Monday.

Fiat Camper Assist were most helpful, although a bit slow in France. After a taxi, a French hire car, a hotel in Calais, a ferry as a foot passenger and a hire car in the UK, I'm now back home in Chester. Had to get home because of work commitments.

As for Comfort-Matic, this is the second one I've had, both on 3 litre 180bhp. I did 15000 miles in the first one without problems. I've also had a 3 litre 180 manual. The engine has so much torque that it's sensible not to boot it too much from low speed, especially whilst pulling 4200kgs (as in my case). That really would hammer the clutch. It would be just the same in a heavy, powerful car; drive it like a lunatic and you'll need a new clutch in double quick time, not to mention brakes and tyres.

Personally, I like the Comfort-Matic because I'm basically lazy and have been driving for enough years for the novelty of changing gear to have worn off many years ago, but each to their own.

I'll keep you all updated when I know what the problem with the gearbox is.

Looking on the bright side, at least I get another trip to France to pick it up :)

Mike
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting that Mike - very interesting. I hope you get your van back soon. Yes, please do keep us updated as to the cause of the problem.
 
matamoros said:
If you are talking of the change from Euro 4 to Euro 5 it was the 120 version that was dropped.
Click to expand...
No I think they dropped the 110 when it went to Euro 6 ... but I haven't double checked!
 
This is a good read i have a comfort matic running at 4500kg 3.0l 16k miles no problems what so ever this is a good option for anybody wanting to change there clutch on both manual and comfort matic
 
I have. Bessacarr E442 with a Comfortmatic gearbox and love it. It's clearly down to personal preference and of all of those posting above, nearly all of those with a Comfortmatic feel as I do. Incidentally, despite what is posted above, my Fiat is a 2.3l 130 BHP version (2015 late). I have never had any issues with hills, motorways or any other roads. Can be awkward reversing it onto top of levelling blocks, but once you get the knack, then that's easy enough as well. Yes, there is a gap between first and second, but we all compensate for this. I would not dream of going for a manual Motorhome! :D:D:D
 
Bulleteer said:
Can be awkward reversing it onto top of levelling blocks, but once you get the knack, then that's easy enough as well.
Click to expand...
Not advisable to reverse onto ramps with either manual or auto, reverse gear is higher than first it puts a lot of strain on the clutch.
 
Lenny HB said:
Not advisable to reverse onto ramps with either manual or auto, reverse gear is higher than first it puts a lot of strain on the clutch.
Click to expand...
... now what did I say about mentioning (even indirectly) juddergate!!!! :rolleyes:

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Bulleteer said:
I have. Bessacarr E442 with a Comfortmatic gearbox and love it. It's clearly down to personal preference and of all of those posting above, nearly all of those with a Comfortmatic feel as I do. Incidentally, despite what is posted above, my Fiat is a 2.3l 130 BHP version (2015 late). I have never had any issues with hills, motorways or any other roads. Can be awkward reversing it onto top of levelling blocks, but once you get the knack, then that's easy enough as well. Yes, there is a gap between first and second, but we all compensate for this. I would not dream of going for a manual Motorhome! :D:D:D
Click to expand...

It is not so much that there is a gap between 1st and 2nd there is a clutch position sensor on all 180 3.0 otherwise the engine would stall this is very noticeable on manual vans and it makes a bit of a flat spot on comfort matics but you can easily compensate for it.
 
SteveandDenise said:
It is not so much that there is a gap between 1st and 2nd there is a clutch position sensor on all 180 3.0 otherwise the engine would stall this is very noticeable on manual vans and it makes a bit of a flat spot on comfort matics but you can easily compensate for it.
Click to expand...
Intrestingly just done a maiden voyage of just over 1200 miles around France it only did it twice, the last van did it quite a lot but did improve after I'd clocked up 12,000 miles.
 
G7UXG said:
Funny this thread should crop up.

I have a 3 month old Carthago, 3 litre Comfort-Matic.
Guess what? Driving north along the A438 towards Rouen in France (yesterday), approached a roundabout with the vehicle in 5th... it didn't change down and remained stuck in fifth. As I slowed down the 'box stayed in 5th. i had to slow down because of traffic and, because there is no clutch to press, the vehicle stalled.

Couldn't get it to select neutral. Usually, with the brake pedal depressed, when the ignition key is turned the 'box selects neutral and the engine starts but the 'box would not move out of 5th.

I was recovered and the vehicle will be taken to a Fiat dealer on Monday.

Fiat Camper Assist were most helpful, although a bit slow in France. After a taxi, a French hire car, a hotel in Calais, a ferry as a foot passenger and a hire car in the UK, I'm now back home in Chester. Had to get home because of work commitments.

As for Comfort-Matic, this is the second one I've had, both on 3 litre 180bhp. I did 15000 miles in the first one without problems. I've also had a 3 litre 180 manual. The engine has so much torque that it's sensible not to boot it too much from low speed, especially whilst pulling 4200kgs (as in my case). That really would hammer the clutch. It would be just the same in a heavy, powerful car; drive it like a lunatic and you'll need a new clutch in double quick time, not to mention brakes and tyres.

Personally, I like the Comfort-Matic because I'm basically lazy and have been driving for enough years for the novelty of changing gear to have worn off many years ago, but each to their own.

I'll keep you all updated when I know what the problem with the gearbox is.

Looking on the bright side, at least I get another trip to France to pick it up :)

Mike
Click to expand...

The latest: I'm told it's the hydraulic block controller.
Thats a translation of what was fed back from the French garage, via Europ Assistance to RAC Commercial in Walsall. I'm assuming that means it's the system's brain.
Still waiting to find out how long it will take to get the part and fit it.

To be continued:

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G7UXG said:
The latest: I'm told it's the hydraulic block controller.
Thats a translation of what was fed back from the French garage, via Europ Assistance to RAC Commercial in Walsall. I'm assuming that means it's the system's brain.
Still waiting to find out how long it will take to get the part and fit it.

To be continued:
Click to expand...
Thanks for letting us know that. Look forward to the next instalment. :)
 
Just to bring you up to date , we had six buses with comfortmatic gearbox issues , I can now report we have eight currently off the road , six cannot select any gears and two with slipping clutches.
just hope the weather stays cool in the next few weeks as when its hot we seem to have more problems
 
Titley said:
Just to bring you up to date , we had six buses with comfortmatic gearbox issues , I can now report we have eight currently off the road , six cannot select any gears and two with slipping clutches.
just hope the weather stays cool in the next few weeks as when its hot we seem to have more problems
Click to expand...
Interesting, (and sorry for you) thinking about it I noticed on my manual it is harder to select gears and get a smooth gear change when it's really hot as in France last year.
 
Titley said:
Just to bring you up to date , we had six buses with comfortmatic gearbox issues , I can now report we have eight currently off the road , six cannot select any gears and two with slipping clutches.
just hope the weather stays cool in the next few weeks as when its hot we seem to have more problems
Click to expand...

What sort of mileage have they done? Are they all at similar mileage?
 
mostly done 40000 to 60000 , which isn't a lot for commercial vehicle . lots of them have been clutch slave cylinder problems ,which entails removing gearbox as cylinder is located in bellhousing.
when they fail you cannot select a gear or they wont stop in gear.

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Have you thought about changing your drivers?
 
Most of the drivers are ex coach and bus drivers , I fail to see how are drivers could be responsible for the failure of clutch slave cylinders and selector fork wear , which had been the main failure of these gearboxes.
 
maz said:
Happened to be in a motorhome dealer's this morning looking into upholstery cleaners. We mentioned that the motorhome would be up for sale later on and he mentioned their brokerage. The dealer was asking a few questions about our motorhome and when I said it was an automatic, he told us that there was an issue with them sticking in gear - something about the computer's logic getting 'confused'.

Now admittedly I haven't had much time to read the forums lately but I don't remember seeing anything about this mentioned on Fun. So is this a known issue? Or an attempt to make my van seem less desirable than a manual version and hence talk down the price?
Click to expand...
YEAH, SOUNDS VERY MUCH LIKE HE'S TRYING IT ON. TRYING TO DEVALUE YOUR MOTORHOME IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES,KNOWING FULL WELL HE'S PROBABLY GOT A WAITING LIST OF CLIENTS WANTING AN AUTOMATIC MOTORHOME OF VIRTUALLY ANY MODEL, I'D SAY YOUR HOLDING THE ACE CARD THERE WITH AN AUTOMATIC,THERE IS QUITE Q DEMAND FOR AUTOMATICS BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES,ARTHRITIS ETC,.
 
That's why I wondered if driver change might work on automatic box and clutch preservation. My uncle was a coach/bus driver and no one in the family would ever travel with him?
 
don't normally change drivers , these buses do two runs a day one morning and one afternoon , five days a week only on term time. Only driven for three hours per day.
On the odd occasion when someone is ill or on holidays otherwise each driver is allocated his own bus.

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