Any automatic transmission experts out there? (1 Viewer)

Dec 30, 2015
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Thinking of buying an auto A class, but am aware that certain auto transmissions have poor reputations. The van is a 2005 Fiat Ducato 2.8 JTD. I don't know what the transmission is called. It's the type that has two modes. Normal auto, and manual control where you push the gear stick up and down through the gears.

Are these OK, or should I steer clear? Cheers.
 

DBK

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Jan 9, 2013
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I think you are referring to the Comfortmatic. It is a manual box which changes gear itself - if that makes sense. :) We have one and love it as does almost everyone else who has it. A few hate them but they are very much in the minority. You could have a test drive but beware it might feel odd but after a short spell of ownership you will almost certainly come round to appreciating it.
 

pappajohn

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Aug 26, 2007
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Chances are its an automated manual box with an ordinary manual clutch but operated by servos.
Plenty of them about so there are bound to be some problems from time to time but no more than anything else.
Again, a full torque converter auto box won't have any more problems than any other manufacturers auto box.

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Aug 26, 2008
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The Fiat Ducato 2.8 JTD was available with a conventional torque converter auto box but only in LHD. Imported LHD Arto A-Class maybe?

If it is a 2005 X250 Ducato with the ComfortMatic robotised gearbox that provides a choice between auto and manual, they have the 3.0 litre 160bhp engine.
 
Jul 18, 2009
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Hi

Robotised manual gearboxes are a nightmare

Sprintshit - Mercedes Sprinter (no longer sold (was never strong enough for the old 6 ton so never fitted to it))
ShiftMatic - VW (Hand me down from Mercedes)
ComfortMatic - Fiat
Agile - Iveco

Best True Automatics are Torque Converters:

Mercedes 4G-Tronic to late 1990's
Mercedes 5G-Tronic Until around 2014
Mercedes 7G-Tronic - Current RWD (Not 4WD - only 5G)
Mercedes 9G-Tronic - New 2018 FWD SWB and MWB Chassis only

But the Mercedes True Automatics are not without problems. Mad worse if you do not have them serviced every 50,000 miles or so.

Iveco Hi-Matic 8 Speed https://www.iveco.com/en-us/press-r...ic-gearbox-the-absolute-driving-pleasure.aspx
VW New 2017> 8 Speed DSG Gearbox

Fiat <2002 LHD Drive Only Ducato

I have driven most of the above and favour the Mercedes 7G-Tronic.
 
Jul 5, 2013
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I have a 3litre Fiat based moho with the comformatic and like it. I would never go back to manual.

But then I have been driving automatic cars for the last 25 years. Had all types of auto gearboxes in that time including traditional torque converters, automated manuals and CVTs. The only two gearboxes that let me down were both torque converters, and they both cost a lot of money to fix.

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Jan 16, 2017
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Had a Comfortmatic and now have a Mercedes 7-G. No comparison. The Mercedes box really suits motorhome driving, smooth and relaxed.
 

Lenny HB

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Oct 18, 2007
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Must be a conventional auto box as the Comformatic did not come out until 2006 and I don't think on Motorhomes until 2007 also only available on the 3 Lt at that time.
 
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acropolis22
Dec 30, 2015
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The Fiat Ducato 2.8 JTD was available with a conventional torque converter auto box but only in LHD. Imported LHD Arto A-Class maybe?
Yes, you're right. Imported LHD. Dethleffs.
But I still can't work out exactly which box we are dealing with. Not yet seen it for myself so a bit tricky. Also, not much idea about any of this stuff!! Apparently the gear stick has PRND positions, but if you pull it across towards steering wheel, you then get sequential gear changing 12345/6. Does that help identify it?
Thanks for all replies BTW. Very informative.

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acropolis22
Dec 30, 2015
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Thanks, will do that as soon as I can get hold of the chassis number......
 

DBK

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Your original question was is there a Fiat auto box to avoid. I would say no but only you can tell by going for a test drive.

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makems

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I have owned Motorhomes with both types of auto box - a 4 tonne merc based A class with torque converter and a 5tonne Fiat based A class with Comfortmatic
Both work equally well although admittedly the Merc is very slightly smoother.
Both are miles easier and more relaxing to drive than a manual (had one of them too)
 
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acropolis22
Dec 30, 2015
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Your original question was is there a Fiat auto box to avoid. I would say no but only you can tell by going for a test drive.
Well, you've paraphrased my question better than I originally put it! And thanks for your reassuring answer. Am working my way towards a test drive hopefully.

I have owned Motorhomes with both types of auto box - a 4 tonne merc based A class with torque converter and a 5tonne Fiat based A class with Comfortmatic
Both work equally well although admittedly the Merc is very slightly smoother.
Both are miles easier and more relaxing to drive than a manual (had one of them too)
Thanks for that - also reassuring to hear.

Andrew
 
Oct 2, 2008
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The main thing to avoid with automated manual type gearboxes is
extended periods of maneuvering , including trying to creep , unlike with a torque converter auto which can handle it (within reason) and is one of its pluses.

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Aug 26, 2008
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Check the service history for an ATF change. The notion that an autobox is "sealed for life" is complete Bollox especially when the MH is driven in a hot climate or up and down mountains. The lifespan of the ATF is shortened by high operating temperatures. Even if the gearbox seems All Good the first thing I would do is take it to a specialist for an ATF and gearbox filter change. In the UK this costs about £200 + VAT. That will extend the life of the autobox.

A test drive should reveal if the box changes gears smoothly and locks up the torque converter in top. Any harsh thumps when changing gear, or slipping in gear (you need a long enough test drive to get the gearbox hot) or juddering from the torque converter / failure to lock up in top (modern torque converters should lock up above 80kph at least) are all red flags that the gearbox may need an expensive rebuild.

I have a PVC with a ComfortMatic box and while I get along fine with that in most situations, the pluses mentioned above by @tacr2man are the reasons why I would still prefer a torque converter autobox.

I've never seen any bad reports about the previous Fiat Ducato torque converter autobox but you should try researching the Fiat Ducato forums to see what others have said.
 
Jul 18, 2009
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Had a Comfortmatic and now have a Mercedes 7-G. No comparison. The Mercedes box really suits motorhome driving, smooth and relaxed.

I have had several Vehicles with the 5g-Tronic, including a 3 litre Sprinter La Strada motorhome.

I have until I sold it today, run a Sprinter 5G-Tronic for 8 Years. But the 7G-Tronic Sprinter I have bought is far superior to the 5 speed. Amazing difference.
 
Nov 17, 2012
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I have a 3 litre Fiat Ducato manual gearbox on an A class 4250 ton and wondering what the difference would be with the new Mercedes 2.2 with an auto box. Both I think rated as 160 bhp - is size (bhp) everything?

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Flatlander

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Sep 25, 2017
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Thinking of buying an auto A class, but am aware that certain auto transmissions have poor reputations. The van is a 2005 Fiat Ducato 2.8 JTD. I don't know what the transmission is called. It's the type that has two modes. Normal auto, and manual control where you push the gear stick up and down through the gears.

Are these OK, or should I steer clear? Cheers.

If its FWD, then I would expect its a ZF gearbox. These do have a couple of known faults such as wiring, speed sensor (expensive!). As someone above wrote, they need servicing at the correct time. Before buying, I would make sure that it has been. Also get someone that really knows how to check these things to look it over first.

If my memory serves, these transmissions were the same as fitted to some Citroens.
 
Oct 29, 2008
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If it is a true auto, and has a dipstick for the transmission oil. Dip it and it should be a nice red and should not smell burnt or smokey.
Some autos don't have a dipstick. Read up on how to check the level.
 
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acropolis22
Dec 30, 2015
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If its FWD, then I would expect its a ZF gearbox. These do have a couple of known faults such as wiring, speed sensor (expensive!). As someone above wrote, they need servicing at the correct time. Before buying, I would make sure that it has been. Also get someone that really knows how to check these things to look it over first.

If my memory serves, these transmissions were the same as fitted to some Citroens.

Good advice to get an expert to look it over. What if it's over 3500 kg? RAC don't do motorhomes at all, and AA don't look at anything over 3500kg.......

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acropolis22
Dec 30, 2015
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If it is a true auto, and has a dipstick for the transmission oil. Dip it and it should be a nice red and should not smell burnt or smokey.
Some autos don't have a dipstick. Read up on how to check the level.
Interesting, thanks for that.
 

denisejoe

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Good advice to get an expert to look it over. What if it's over 3500 kg? RAC don't do motorhomes at all, and AA don't look at anything over 3500kg.......
Depends who you insure with I’m with comfort and breakdown is with the AA last year the dark side with RAC and we are 4.5 tonnes

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acropolis22
Dec 30, 2015
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Depends who you insure with I’m with comfort and breakdown is with the AA last year the dark side with RAC and we are 4.5 tonnes
I don't know about insurance or breakdown cover. I was referring to pre-purchase mechanical checks. Neither the AA nor the RAC will look at motorhomes over 3500 GVW.
 
Aug 18, 2014
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If it's a true auto with torque converter and has a tow bar/been used for towing then check that it has an additional atf oil cooler.
 
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acropolis22
Dec 30, 2015
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If it's a true auto with torque converter and has a tow bar/been used for towing then check that it has an additional atf oil cooler.
Noted. Cheers.

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