WESTY66
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- Jun 17, 2017
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- All the gear, and no idea!
I agree, the data would make interesting reading
Joined the Comfortmatic failure club
- Thread starter Kannon Fodda
- Start date
Yes, manual 3 litre Iveco 2005 RWD, I find the gear change smooth and no different to the car.
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WESTY66
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- All the gear, and no idea!
As an aside, we have 6 sp comfortmatics, now in recent years we have 8&9 speed autos, why don’t we have 8&9 speed manuals?
I reckon I could get used to a 4 over 4 gearbox in a van
I reckon I could get used to a 4 over 4 gearbox in a van
- Jul 6, 2009
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Bought new in Sept 2019, Burstner Iexo A Class 2.3 150 Comformatic on Fiat heavy chassis. Now coming up to 27560 miles. Followed Fiat Service schedule fluid checked at 2 years Changed by Adams Morey at 4 years. Drives faultlessly start of gentle till engine warm easy off when parking up next trip hopefully Portugal for 90 days no worries. You get out of it what you put in (hopefully)
Ok, I’ll ask the question “ how many of you have HAD the oil changed and the gearbox has subsequently failed”.I agree, the data would make interesting reading
Please, to keep it simple only the people concerned reply to this post. It will be interesting.
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I don't quite understand your comment about those with failures are trying to achieve. I am, in your train of thought, trying to achieve justice for the failures Fiat have bestowed upon me with two costly repairs because of them. Why would I want to intentionally devalue my MHome? Fiat list the fluid changes in their service schedule but some Fiat Service centres are not including them in their service schedule, yes Simon is but I think even he would recognise the lack of a comprehensive and consistent service plan across Fiat.
I personally am not sure what I have done wrong, perhaps my ignorance to the service schedule but in defence Fiat should have looked after me.
I can also think that because on both of my costly repairs Fiat have contributed significantly to those repairs that I can be justified in that they have let me down.
I think also by sharing our woes you can learn from others and in both repairs these threads helped deal with Fiat in a productive way.
- Jul 6, 2009
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If I had paid a lot of money for something that appears to have some durability issues I would want as many people to know about it in the event that there may be a class action. We have an Audi (2016) which has developed an Adblue fault which as I enquire seems to be a common fault and around £2500 to fix. This is on a car that has done less than 27300 miles from new full Audi service history it appears Audi despite refusing to admit there may be a design fault have brought out a modified tank pump and wiring look. So the more attention the better.
- Apr 30, 2018
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On a similar line. The engine in my LR Disco Sport failed at 80,000 miles, had it not been for others who had experienced the exact same problem bothered to splash it all over google I would not have been any wiser, but, £12500 lighter in my pocket.
My 2 failures (both in France) were on a brand new MoHo, so nothing whatsoever to do with maintenance , I just dumped it at the dealers & told them they own it as it wasn’t coming back to me , after much negotiation I now have a ZF9 on new MoHo
No comparison, the comformattic was agricultural at best
No comparison, the comformattic was agricultural at best
I have a Comfortmatic so I’ve followed this thread from the outset. I’ve learned a lot from it, so many thanks to Kannon Fodda for starting it, and to others for their very helpful, knowledgeable and informative input on the subject.
By way of awareness as regards the servicing, my MH is based on a 2017 registered Ducato 2.3. The service manual only states that the clutch fluid level should be checked at specific intervals - absolutely nothing about changing the fluid - ever.
From information earlier in this thread, I learned that newer Fiat vans have the service instructions updated to indicate that the fluid should be changed every 4 years. (Simon Potter at Adams Morey advises having the clutch fluid changed every 2 years as a basic minimum - but would do it every year if it was his van.)
The point is, people with the older service book would, like myself, have been unaware that not changing the fluid could lead to issues. Not only that, but it seems that most of the Fiat service centres in the UK were equally unaware.
Some of us, myself included, have been fortunate, so far, in not having any issues. Sadly, not the case for others. However, thanks to this thread, I now know that the fluid should be changed regularly and I’m so glad that the issue was highlighted here. (Now I just worry if any lasting damage was done in the 6 years without the fluid ever being changed.
)Anyways, I hope this clarifies the historical situation regarding Fiat’s ‘official’ clutch servicing schedules.
I agree, it would be good to know the percentage of failures where no fluid change took place vs the percentage where the fluid has been replaced. I also agree that Fiat are unlikely to admit to any liability for older vehicles like mine.
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JockandRita
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MichaelT
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But you've not had any issues so for your van maybe not changing is good, newer vans maybe have a different component or something that does require it, who knows?I have a Comfortmatic so I’ve followed this thread from the outset. I’ve learned a lot from it, so many thanks to Kannon Fodda for starting it, and to others for their very helpful, knowledgeable and informative input on the subject.
By way of awareness as regards the servicing, my MH is based on a 2017 registered Ducato 2.3. The service manual only states that the clutch fluid level should be checked at specific intervals - absolutely nothing about changing the fluid - ever.
From information earlier in this thread, I learned that newer Fiat vans have the service instructions updated to indicate that the fluid should be changed every 4 years. (Simon Potter at Adams Morey advises having the clutch fluid changed every 2 years as a basic minimum - but would do it every year if it was his van.)
The point is, people with the older service book would, like myself, have been unaware that not changing the fluid could lead to issues. Not only that, but it seems that most of the Fiat service centres in the UK were equally unaware.
Some of us, myself included, have been fortunate, so far, in not having any issues. Sadly, not the case for others. However, thanks to this thread, I now know that the fluid should be changed regularly and I’m so glad that the issue was highlighted here. (Now I just worry if any lasting damage was done in the 6 years without the fluid ever being changed.
Anyways, I hope this clarifies the historical situation regarding Fiat’s ‘official’ clutch servicing schedules.
I agree, it would be good to know the percentage of failures where no fluid change took place vs the percentage where the fluid has been replaced. I also agree that Fiat are unlikely to admit to any liability for older vehicles like mine.
I'm convinced it's not a fluid change that causes issues as vast majority are OK, I think it's down to a mixture of driving style, use pattern (used and not sitting about) and maybe engine variant.
ED O'DARAC
Free Member
Hi, I have had both Comfortmatic and manual on the Fiat and, just for balance, I have not had a failure on either. (Possibly I just tempted fate 
).
For motorhome driving, we travel when the roads are quiet and in Europe, so I don't see the need for an automatic box. I guess some may need it medically, but try the manual, it drives nicely, even with the 'basic' engine we hum along at 65-75mph.
).For motorhome driving, we travel when the roads are quiet and in Europe, so I don't see the need for an automatic box. I guess some may need it medically, but try the manual, it drives nicely, even with the 'basic' engine we hum along at 65-75mph.
Perhaps I should have written “ what are they trying to achieve by heading the post” “Joined the comfotmatic failure club” It might have been better to head it “Joined the comfortmatic failure club because I didn’t change the clutch fluid as per service manual” My point is the heading is devaluing OUR unnecessarily.I have a Comfortmatic so I’ve followed this thread from the outset. I’ve learned a lot from it, so many thanks to Kannon Fodda for starting it, and to others for their very helpful, knowledgeable and informative input on the subject.
By way of awareness as regards the servicing, my MH is based on a 2017 registered Ducato 2.3. The service manual only states that the clutch fluid level should be checked at specific intervals - absolutely nothing about changing the fluid - ever.
From information earlier in this thread, I learned that newer Fiat vans have the service instructions updated to indicate that the fluid should be changed every 4 years. (Simon Potter at Adams Morey advises having the clutch fluid changed every 2 years as a basic minimum - but would do it every year if it was his van.)
The point is, people with the older service book would, like myself, have been unaware that not changing the fluid could lead to issues. Not only that, but it seems that most of the Fiat service centres in the UK were equally unaware.
Some of us, myself included, have been fortunate, so far, in not having any issues. Sadly, not the case for others. However, thanks to this thread, I now know that the fluid should be changed regularly and I’m so glad that the issue was highlighted here. (Now I just worry if any lasting damage was done in the 6 years without the fluid ever being changed.
Anyways, I hope this clarifies the historical situation regarding Fiat’s ‘official’ clutch servicing schedules.
I agree, it would be good to know the percentage of failures where no fluid change took place vs the percentage where the fluid has been replaced. I also agree that Fiat are unlikely to admit to any liability for older vehicles like mine.
I shouldn’t say this as it’s temping fate but I will, I’ve now had 3 comfortmatics covering 120,000ish with no problems at all….a 5500t a 4500t and now a 3500t and I have had the fluid changed.
WESTY66
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But that’s the point, my manual and others say CHECK fluid at 48000 and 96000, no mention of change fluid!!
Mines done 48k and not had a spanner on the comfortmatic till last November when I had it changed and kiss point relearned, fluid clean, and now I will change it every two years from now and I drive it sympathetically and no reason to think it’s gonna go pop
IMHO if your manual says check fluid and it goes tits up because you haven’t changed it, fiat should fix the problem
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OP
OP
Kannon Fodda
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I make no apologies for the thread title.
At the time the thread was created there had been multiple threads on the confortmatics foibles on this forum and elsewhere. The title was appropriate.
That the thread keeps getting resurrected a year later shows the subject remains of concern to many. Why this thread rather than others keeps appearing is perhaps unlike many others it suggests where and how to diagnose and get repair and also there is much debate as to how to service which is often inadequate.
Yes many have had no issues. Some have, and when they do its very expensive. I expect most would be vocal spending over £3,500 on a vehicle at the time around 3.3/4 year old and only 17,000 miles. Inevitably the Internet is full of more stuff where things go wrong rather than right. But hopefully this thread will prevent some from having costly disruptive problems by drawing attention to the need for correct preventative maintenance of fluid changes.
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Our 2019 Burstner IEXO 736 on the Fiat Heavy chassis 2.3 150 hp comformatic. The service book clearly states check the fluid every 2 years change at 4. No mention of mileage etc. when took it to our local fiat dealer for its 2 years service went to collect it told nothing to pay when queried this told as it had only done 5500 miles wasn’t worth servicing. Few words exchanged re booked it when collecting it asked how was the fluid on the comformatic side blank look obviously not checked. So much for some main dealers. At least Adams Morley know what they are doing well worth the long trip to get it done correctly.
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Does that mean you don’t need to have the gearbox/clutch fluid replaced regularly?
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Where does it say that?
WESTY66
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In some books like my 2016 it doesn’t, later books it does, but trust me £147 every two years is peace of mind and won’t break the bank
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- Mar 25, 2021
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I found this info in the Fiat M40 Robotized gearbox Training manual
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Fiat changed their advice a few years ago and now say the clutch DOT 4 fluid should be changed at 2 year intervals. There's evidence that the DOT 4 fluid can sometimes get contaminated by the Dexron III fluids used in the Comfortmatic Master/Slave unit so Fiat have added the DOT 4 fluid change as a maintenance item to make sure there is always fresh fluid actuating the clutch
Riverbankannie
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As post above. Are you able to see a date on that training manual?
- Mar 25, 2021
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Just checked the document and the copyright is dated 2007. There isn't any updates in the amendment list. So basically there is no excuse for Fiat Professional garages to say they are not aware of the maintenance schedule. Unless the (Not so technical) technicians didn't attend or failed the comformatic part of the course.
stuartholmes
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Does this mean there are people around here (and doubtless elsewhere) who should be making a negligence claim against Fiat workshops for causing them massive expense by not providing a service they were paid for?
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The dealership (Fiat Professionals) I bought my Carthago e-line from advised me 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. They do not look at it for any service.
I am booked in to Adams Morey for fluid change in May for the second time.
All the best
I am booked in to Adams Morey for fluid change in May for the second time.
All the best
Unfortunately these types of semi Automatics have been around along while, I first met them on Renault in the 70's , you are very lucky if you have one that's trouble free, knowing what problems can arise when I bought a Chausson in 2017 I took extended warranty out, never done that before even on a washing machine, never used the warranty,but having been in the motor trade all working life, never trusted it , but, some may say " Too much knowledge is a pain in the backside".in my case yes
I am one who has suffered with this and my previous 2 services did not include fluid changes. My repair was done by Adams Morey and I'm booked in for 6yr service in April. Interestingly I rang another Fiat Service centre for a quote and it did NOT include the fluid change. There is no consistency and perhaps negligence claims might shake them up a bit.
You could try a negligence claim against Fiat, I tried that with the NHS ,when I had a Endoscopy do at a Doctor's surgery where the NHS hired a place in the practice ( nothing to do with the actual doctors at the surgery) a so called Specialist done the procedure,sent out to waiting room with a so called nurse I was doubled up on pain she said it was air they pumped in for procedure,more or less kicked me out with wife that evening I was admitted into hospital as a emergency, spent 4 nights on 2 drips, when I complained and filled in the complaint form the investigation came back full of lies, NHS covering their ars--s.
Next wife was given someone else's X-ray on a Saga cruise ship didn't look at it until we got home as ships doctor said see your doctor when you get home, don't worry you have a enlarged heart and signs of a heart attack, as wife is clostrofobiic s wouldn't use lifts thought she might have a heart attack on deck stairs spoilt holiday, tried claim they didn't want to know, got home had tests, nothing wrong , so somebody is walking about with problems , we have her name and date of birth , a real SAGA, Ships doctor was from Venezuela but said he was not qualified to work in UK !!
Personally I wouldn't claim against Fiat
Why Fiat? The problem is some garages not doing all the items specified by Fiat as part of the service.
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