Recommendations for 3 litre comfortmatic clutch replacement? (1 Viewer)

[DBK]

After a further conversation with Walton Summit Trucks a few minutes ago regarding Fiat 3ltr Comfortmatic clutches I have been assured that the clutches last an absolute minimum of 80,000 miles to well over 100,000 on the fleet of ambulances that they are responsible for servicing considering the constant changes of drivers between shifts. They are in use 24/7. In a previous post I mentioned 100,000 miles which was mentioned to me by another service manager. This garage has a very good reputation and many motorhome owners use them in this area. Could it be that the low mileage failures that have been mentioned on here are down to driver abuse. My previous motorhome had done 46,000 trouble free miles and the comfortmatic clutch had been totally faultless. Motorhomes need to be used on a regular basis to keep everything in good working order it doesn't do them any good to be parked up in the drive for long periods. Would I have another one, you bet I would.

I wonder if the problem on buses is they do a lot of stop and start and inching along in traffic in city centres?

 

[rolandrat]

I wonder if the problem on buses is they do a lot of stop and start and inching along in traffic in city centres?

That's a very good point. Something doesn't seem right though to have 5 slave cylinders changed on the same vehicle, meaning the gearbox has to removed every time. You have to ask if the replacements are genuine Fiat parts and if so are Fiat compensating the owner for the parts and loss of use.

 

[Techno]

Sounds to me like genuine fiat parts are the problem and the price is disgraceful but everyone knows that

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[KUSKUS]

Buses being used to transport kids to school in rural Shropshire, probably doing twenty stop starts in a day.
Local Fiat dealer fitted clutch slave cylinders , they reckon it was a faulty batch mechanic pulling his hair out !

 

[Techno]

I am home now after 154 mile drive trouble free
On the A5 I took the opportunity to floor it through the gears between roundabouts and I could not force a slip
Only flooring it from cruising speed in 6th can force one and that isn't something one would do normally so I have thanked Martin at CamperUK and cancelled the appointment for now.
Came over windy hill M62 at indicated 75 in 6th without issue

 

[JockandRita]

Andy, what was the advice from Martin at Camper UK?

Pleased to hear that everything appears to be sorted now.

Cheers,

Jock.

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[Techno]

I'm wondering if the recent lack of use was a cause as due to the alternator failure it was effectively stood since October with only short journeys under 50 mph

 

[Techno]

Andy, what was the advice from Martin at Camper UK?

Pleased to hear that everything appears to be sorted now.

Cheers,

Jock.

He said to keep an eye on it as an early warning and not to let it slip too much or it can cause heat damage to the flywheel.
As it seems to be working fine now my confidence is reinstated.
EDIT a good thrashing seems to have helped

 

[canopus]

Its interesting to note that both Fiat & Iveco (also Italian) seem to have suffered perennial problems with automatic gearboxes. The Iveco Agile automatic gearbox has been reported by numerous motorhome owners as having problems. There are reports to be found on the net of issues by owners of Carthago, N+B, and Concorde having serious problems with the said Agile gearbox on the Daily chasis.

The latest Iveco Dailys are now fitted with the new German ZF 8 speed automatic gearbox which is said to be a marked improvement on its Agile predecessor. ZF make gearboxes for all types of vehicles including marine vessels.

On a brighter note, there doesn't seem to be many complaints of manual gearbox problems on Fiat and Iveco motorhomes.

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[Techno]

I think that is being used on X290 Fiat comfortmatics too

 

[funflair]

It won't be the same Andy as the IVECO is rear drive chassis.

Martin

 

[Techno]

OK Martin
Calder valley told me they are fitting a torque converter box on X290 instead of the magneti morelli

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[Techno]

Update for those concerned.
I'm now heading for 51k miles and everything still OK with no sign of slipping. So it would seem that it has re learnt/adjusted the biting point all by itself.
So if you encounter slipping don't be hasty, I could have forked out £1200 for nothing.