Joined the Comfortmatic failure club

[Jackd]

On a tangent is the agile box the same as the comfortmatic, only north to south??

And yes I know it’s just as bad!! Just wondering

Mmmmm, just wondering eh?

What are you looking at now?

 

[WESTY66]

Mmmmm, just wondering eh?

What are you looking at now?

Me?? Nothing

Just askin

 

[dunnah01]

On a tangent is the agile box the same as the comfortmatic, only north to south??

And yes I know it’s just as bad!! Just wondering

Totally different and mated to a ZF box. Still has a number if problems though.

 

[WESTY66]

Totally different and mated to a ZF box. Still has a number if problems though.

Forgive my ignorance I know nothing about them, but what I am reading into this is that the agile part is the self changing and clutch bit, with a reliable zf bolted to it? Is that right? What are the major problems with it? And do they drive and change like a comfortmatic?

 

[dunnah01]

Forgive my ignorance I know nothing about them, but what I am reading into this is that the agile part is the self changing and clutch bit, with a reliable zf bolted to it? Is that right? What are the major problems with it? And do they drive and change like a comfortmatic?

Yes Agile is the same principle as the Comfortmatic with hydraulic cylinders operating the mechanical gear changes, although the Agile clutch isn't the same as the manual version unlike the Comfortmatic.. The ZF box is about as reliable as the F40 GM box used in the Comfortmatic. Unfortunately I've never owned or driven one so can't comment beyond what the internet chatter around it's problems are.

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[Pappy]

I’ll be setting off to France, Switzerland and back into the French alps with my comfortmatic, confident it’ll do the job

I’m in the Austrian alps with mine. All good at the moment.

 

[WESTY66]

I’m in the Austrian alps with mine. All good at the moment.

Did the Slovenian, Austrian, Italian and German alps last year on my run down to Croatia and back with my Comfortmatic and like you, zero problems

Wish I could say the same with the Pia airbag light

 

[dunnah01]

Problems all around the UK and down through France & Spain with 'Gear Unavailable' and 'limp modes', resetting with Multiecuscan every 1-200 miles but determined to get to Spain for my birthday until eventually in southern Spain would not go beyond 1st gear. Hit the armageddon 'clutch self calibrate enable' routine and all the way back through Spain, France and about 5k around the UK not a single hiccup and still running fine 18 months later. I very nearly gave up and called for Recovery in southern Spain but did the software routine and I'm so glad I did - saved me thousands of pounds and a whole heap of aggro.

 

[WESTY66]

I Shudda flogged mine to Jackd before the airbag light came on

Mind you I could still flog it him before the comfortmatic packs up

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Wohoo. I have my van back, and it's working

The diagnostic software showed a sub system error of engine and clutch speed mismatch. Effectively the clutch was not disengaging. Bleeding the clutch fluids alone did not clear the fault, indicating mechanical problems.
The clutch fluid was contaminated (this is the brake type fluid that operates the clutch cylinders, not the separate hydraulic type oils that move the gear change).
The master cylinder internal seals were degrading (part of the contamination above). Master cylinder has been replaced.
Clutch itself also failed. The buffer bushes were found to be broken. The clutch (not flywheel) and slave cylinder have been replaced.
The electronics have been reset and recalibrated.

Fairly costly exercise especially the master cylinder form thingy. But Simon Potter, Adams Morey Portsmouth has tried to lessen the load especially on some of the labour. Overall, especially as I also had them do the 4 year service, there has been a bit of a discount. Even so the piggy bank is overdrawn.

For future maintenance there is a strong recommendation for frequent changes of the clutch fluid, even on an annual basis, despite relatively low mileage of motorhomes. Changing the fluid needs to be able to bleed the clutch and as that is operated by the Comfortmatic system, rather than a manual clutch pedal, the garage does need the diagnostic software - Multiecuscan might well suffice for non Fiat Professional systems. May explain why some motorhome dealers like mine don't go anywhere near it. Having checked / changed fluid some calibration routines are desired to allow for the minor wear that takes place from year to year.

At 3.5 years, 17,000 miles failure shouldn't really have occurred. Difficult to say from the things that needed attention which bit broke first to then cause issues with other bits. With the fluid contaminated, inevitably that hadn't been checked / replaced when the manual says it should have been looked at after 2 years. The pants service plan I had been given by the dealer up north had amounted to little more than an oil change.

Difficult to say what could be done to avoid the problem, or prevent it. One key area seems to be trying to avoid holding the vehicle on the clutch, on hills, and particularly on /off leveling blocks. It's notable that when this failed, although it was probably already failing, in the previous week I'd been stuck in mud, and then it had been on and off ramps where I was having stuff fitted underneath (nothing to do with Adams Morey).

All I can do for future is to drive normally, trying to avoid poor behaviours such as any holding of van on clutch rather than brakes, neutral if stuck in queues at lights, and then a good servicing regime.

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[meanders]

Good you are back on the road Rob, but 'ouch' for the bill.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

I Shudda flogged mine to Jackd before the airbag light came on

Mind you I could still flog it him before the comfortmatic packs up

Not to late, bit of black tape over the warning light and he will be non the wiser, obviously he’s buying a Carthargo so is expecting trouble

 

[dunnah01]

Wohoo. I have my van back, and it's working

The diagnostic software showed a sub system error of engine and clutch speed mismatch. Effectively the clutch was not disengaging. Bleeding the clutch fluids alone did not clear the fault, indicating mechanical problems.
The clutch fluid was contaminated (this is the brake type fluid that operates the clutch cylinders, not the separate hydraulic type oils that move the gear change).
The master cylinder internal seals were degrading (part of the contamination above). Master cylinder has been replaced.
Clutch itself also failed. The buffer bushes were found to be broken. The clutch (not flywheel) and slave cylinder have been replaced.
The electronics have been reset and recalibrated.

Fairly costly exercise especially the master cylinder form thingy. But Simon Potter, Adams Morey Portsmouth has tried to lessen the load especially on some of the labour. Overall, especially as I also had them do the 4 year service, there has been a bit of a discount. Even so the piggy bank is overdrawn.

For future maintenance there is a strong recommendation for frequent changes of the clutch fluid, even on an annual basis, despite relatively low mileage of motorhomes. Changing the fluid needs to be able to bleed the clutch and as that is operated by the Comfortmatic system, rather than a manual clutch pedal, the garage does need the diagnostic software - Multiecuscan might well suffice for non Fiat Professional systems. May explain why some motorhome dealers like mine don't go anywhere near it. Having checked / changed fluid some calibration routines are desired to allow for the minor wear that takes place from year to year.

At 3.5 years, 17,000 miles failure shouldn't really have occurred. Difficult to say from the things that needed attention which bit broke first to then cause issues with other bits. With the fluid contaminated, inevitably that hadn't been checked / replaced when the manual says it should have been looked at after 2 years. The pants service plan I had been given by the dealer up north had amounted to little more than an oil change.

Difficult to say what could be done to avoid the problem, or prevent it. One key area seems to be trying to avoid holding the vehicle on the clutch, on hills, and particularly on /off leveling blocks. It's notable that when this failed, although it was probably already failing, in the previous week I'd been stuck in mud, and then it had been on and off ramps where I was having stuff fitted underneath (nothing to do with Adams Morey).

All I can do for future is to drive normally, trying to avoid poor behaviours such as any holding of van on clutch rather than brakes, neutral if stuck in queues at lights, and then a good servicing regime.

Go on - spill the beans on how much damage the wallet suffered

 

[Silver-Fox]

in the previous week I'd been stuck in mud, and then it had been on and off ramps where I was having stuff fitted underneath

That would suggest the system isn’t fit for purpose.

But of course Fiat wouldn’t agree as most main vehicle manufacturers won’t admit they design crap vehicles

 

[Jackd]

Not to late, bit of black tape over the warning light and he will be non the wiser, obviously he’s buying a Carthargo so is expecting trouble

I am here you know…..

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[Kannon Fodda]

Go on - spill the beans on how much damage the wallet suffered

Around £3,250 inc VAT for the investigations, parts and repair on the clutch, and that was quite well discounted.

The 4 year service was extra, also with a bit of discount. I think that I was actually well looked after, as apparently some of the standalone pricing would have meant bills for the comfortmatic alone of over £4k

Obviously this exercise has cost me even more, having to get the van flat bedded from home to Adams Morey, which wasn't part of my breakdown cover who would have taken me only to a local garage.

 

[ChrisL]

For reference my van, 130bhp, 5.4m PVC is about 3 3/4 years old coming up to 17,000 miles on clock. Serviced yearly on a three year plan (but not sure now what that actually covered).

Have you spoken to Fiat for assistance with the cost? 17'000 miles and less then 4 years old is not fit for purpose in my opinion, especially as you've had it serviced according to the schedule.

 

[Lisa]

Glad you've got it back but "Ouch!" I would definitely be trying to speak to Fiat or the dealer....

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Have you spoken to Fiat for assistance with the cost? 17'000 miles and less then 4 years old is not fit for purpose in my opinion, especially as you've had it serviced according to the schedule.

But it was not serviced according to the schedule (even though I thought at the time it was). I had a 3 year service plan from new with the supplying, non Fiat Professional, motorhome dealer, who it seems use a garage around the corner for the mech stuff, and their own workshops for the habitation stuff. Records show the service plan was little more than changing the oil every year, no differential between years 1, 2 or 3. The Comfortmatic was ignored. Yet it's clear the clutch fluids needed to be checked if not changed after 2 years, and as part of the failure is this fluid was contaminated Fiat can quite reasonably say failures were due to inadequate maintenance.

I am going to be having words with the motorhome dealer, but don't expect to get anywhere.

 

[Nanniemate]

Around £3,250 inc VAT for the investigations, parts and repair on the clutch, and that was quite well discounted.

The 4 year service was extra, also with a bit of discount. I think that I was actually well looked after, as apparently some of the standalone pricing would have meant bills for the comfortmatic alone of over £4k

Obviously this exercise has cost me even more, having to get the van flat bedded from home to Adams Morey, which wasn't part of my breakdown cover who would have taken me only to a local garage.

Glad your back on the road have you considered a go fundme page .
Seems lots of scroungers try it
Seriously
You have nothing to loose chasing FIAT I would also look into possible miss selling of the insurance for the service

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[Coastal Cruiser.]

I am here you know…..

That van is loosing more money every time he posts Brian Give another few months and it Will be peanuts

 

[Jackd]

That van is loosing more money every time he posts Brian Give another few months and it Will be peanuts

Or, at least back down to what he paid for it.

 

[Fdhadi]

But it was not serviced according to the schedule (even though I thought at the time it was). I had a 3 year service plan from new with the supplying, non Fiat Professional, motorhome dealer, who it seems use a garage around the corner for the mech stuff, and their own workshops for the habitation stuff. Records show the service plan was little more than changing the oil every year, no differential between years 1, 2 or 3. The Comfortmatic was ignored. Yet it's clear the clutch fluids needed to be checked if not changed after 2 years, and as part of the failure is this fluid was contaminated Fiat can quite reasonably say failures were due to inadequate maintenance.

I am going to be having words with the motorhome dealer, but don't expect to get anywhere.

Can I ask who the supplying dealer was?

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Or, at least back down to what he paid for it.

Go in for the kill

 

[WESTY66]

Go in for the kill

I am an experienced very good salesman you know

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[WESTY66]

Or, at least back down to what he paid for it.

That could be a deal…….




If you did likewise with your house to me

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

If you did likewise with your house to me

I assume you know it is in Southampton

 

[WESTY66]

I assume you know it is in Southampton

Yes I do, very affluent down there, I’ll make a killing

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

I’ll make a killing

You will fit in well

 

[Steve and Denise]

We had a comfotmatic Hymer new in 2017 never had any gearbox problems with it in three years mind you it was in the dealers (Lowdhams) for other warranty problems for most of that time
but after reading of some of the problems others have experienced we had a lucky escape.
would I buy another comfortmatic no chance I’m afraid.

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