Recommendations for 3 litre comfortmatic clutch replacement? (8 Viewers)

[Techno]

Looking for personal experience of Fiat or Iveco mechanics in West Yorkshire please?

 

[Techno]

Before anyone hopefully makes recommendations I have already contacted our top members and they do not do this service thanks

 

[Cavs]

I haven't had the work done but I found a company prepared to do a clutch replacement on an A-Class: Hollis and Brown Autotech just north of Peterborough. I've had other work done there and found them a friendly, family run firm who seem professional in their approach. See http://www.peterboroughmotorhomes.co.uk/ for their motorhome pages.

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[Techno]

Thanks but a bit too far really.

 

[Xabia]

Is Lincoln too far Andy, if not Camper UK would be my recommendation.

Mike

 

[Techno]

Thank you I'll contact them anyway

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[Dill]

Try http://mandjautorepairs.co.uk/ in Leeds they came highly recommened to me, they did a manual clutch for me a few years ago.

 

[Drexxer]

Andy,

I would also say Camper UK though they get mega busy in season sorting there own vans out

Andy

 

[canopus]

IMO you should be looking at automatic gearbox specialists. e.g. http://www.autoboxes.co.uk

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[RandallC]

Andy. Had this done 12 months ago, too far to be of any use but a couple of things to watch out for to make sure your not off the road too long.

The clutch plate is not the run of the mill replacement so worth making sure they have the right one. Special tool/control box required to bleed the auto clutch and box.

They actually found the plate in not too bad condition. The dual mass flywheel was the problem , causing the clutch to slip due to excess travel.

Good luck

 

[Techno]

Camperuk are preparing an estimate

 

[Techno]

IMO you should be looking at automatic gearbox specialists. e.g. http://www.autoboxes.co.uk

Thanks Ken but it's not a proper automatic

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[Techno]

They actually found the plate in not too bad condition. The dual mass flywheel was the problem , causing the clutch to slip due to excess travel.

I believe that to be the case

 

[Steve]

Have you tried Mr Clutch, I know it’s not the same setup but it may provide a ‘ball park’ figure I was surprised when I got one done for a friend with a 2.8jtd just under £400 including gearbox oil change. They have outlets all over the place.

 

[Scout]

I've been using AMG at Doncaster for service work they do loads of commercial stuff and seem honist people might be worth a ring

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[Techno]

I need someone specifically equipped for comfortmatic and expect £1200 to £1500

 

[Cavs]

They actually found the plate in not too bad condition. The dual mass flywheel was the problem , causing the clutch to slip due to excess travel.

I believe that to be the case

Andy, before you go replacing the clutch, then, have a decent Fiat technician reset the gear change mechanism. In effect, they tell the machine it's got a new clutch, and it adjusts itself to take up the slack. That's the reason I explored having my clutch changed but in the end didn't need to do so. The free play is allowable between 8mm (new) and 21mm (needs changing). On mine the adjustment went from 8mm to 14mm by a computer adjustment with no mechanical work required. It does need the proper Fiat control computer, though, and a technician who knows what (s)he's doing.

 

[Techno]

That is very interesting
Presumably therefore anyone equipped to fit a new clutch could not do it without reset equipment

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[ABZSteve]

Thanks Ken but it's not a proper automatic

whadya mean . Can I ask how old your van is Mr Techno sir. I have a 1 year old van with comfortmatic (I do actually know how it works ), 2.3ltr, 150BHP, and need to know if there is a timeline from new to the panic date

 

[Jaws]

Absolutely no help from me as the company I recommend and have now used twice for similar jobs ( Simonds ) is based in Diss !

 

[Techno]

whadya mean . Can I ask how old your van is Mr Techno sir. I have a 1 year old van with comfortmatic (I do actually know how it works ), 2.3ltr, 150BHP, and need to know if there is a timeline from new to the panic date

Its heading for 48k miles 3 litre 160

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[ABZSteve]

Its heading for 48k miles 3 litre 160

OK, so I have another 7 years left Do you know if there is any link to the weight of van, engine size and power?

Cheers,

Steve

 

[Techno]

I would have thought the clutch would be sized to match the power but the 3 litre has far more torque than a 2.3 so I've no idea. I've read of comfortmatics being replaced at much lower mileages but given the revelation that the dual mass play can be adjusted somewhat I wonder how many are replaced unnecessarily by NON FIAT professionals

 

[Techno]

CamperUK have given me a really excellent estimate so a no brainer and I've asked about this reset so will tell you soon.
I will definitely be using them

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[Cavs]

Presumably therefore anyone equipped to fit a new clutch could not do it without reset equipment

I don't know the answer to that.

To give a bit more detail about my experience: The clutch on my previous van (Fiat 3.0 litre Comfortmatic) was giving slipping symptoms but only in specific circumstances - when accelerating from cruising speed, and not consistently. It did not slip when going on to levelling ramps, or pulling a hill start on a 1 in 4 when loaded to 4.25 tonnes. It first started showing this behaviour at 21,000 miles and was still doing it at about 38,000 miles. Various garages were unable to diagnose a problem and I concluded it was a software glitch. An Iveco main dealer suggested a software update, but also warned that it might cause more problems than it was worth, so I put up with it.

On my current van (same engine and gearbox) I had a breakdown when it wouldn't change gear, with very odd symptoms. I spent some time with Fiat technician (Richard at Brian Currie Milton Keynes) exploring the problem, which turned out to be a clutch speed sensor. It was during this that I saw him explore the clutch sub-system on the Fiat diagnostic computer and I explained the symptoms on the previous van, which I was in the process of selling (with full disclosure of the 'slipping' behaviour).

He agreed with my conclusion that the clutch was not worn out, so I took the vehicle to him to examine. It was then that I saw the reset process, and the change in the measurement of the clutch free play from 8 mm to 14 mm. Apparently, this adjustment should happen gradually and automatically, but it obviously hadn't happened. After that, the slipping behaviour completely disappeared, despite my best efforts to induce it.

I'm now at the limit of my technical knowledge, but I hope this might help others to avoid an unnecessary new clutch.

 

[Techno]

First paragraph describes mine exactly

 

[Gizmouk]

First paragraph describes mine exactly

Fingers crossed for you, it's just a simple / cheap reset

Following this thread, as we also have the 3Ltr with comfortmatic gearbox

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[Techno]

Fingers crossed for you, it's just a simple / cheap reset

I'll be equally happy to replace the whole lot in the knowledge I'm safe for another several years

 

[Just smiffy]

I'll be equally happy to replace the whole lot in the knowledge I'm safe for another several years

I know what you mean about getting it done properly Andy but if a reset does the same for another 5yrs then that'll put a bigger smile on your face with just the cost alone..

Hope it goes ok...

 

[Xabia]

Andy,

Camper UK do have a lot of experience with Comfortmatic gearboxes, I was there at the time they were wrestling with problems Sonesta had with her box.

I live about 35 miles from them but always use them in preference to local Fiat garages.

Mike

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