MH full service - very happy with local Hull company

[L' Hobo]

Guys , I know no one on here takes the slightest notice of what I say but just this once, please instead of obsessing about every last percent of a volt in your lithium system, get to know your van , have a look under the bonnet at the important stuff.
Just seeing a little less fluid or a bit of a oil drip, or anything different could save you thousands of pounds in repairs or even your life.
A couple of minutes every trip to look around the engine bay and tyres could save you having to abandon your holiday.

I have told this before but.....
A couple of years ago, I was on a site in Dorset and a new (to me) Ducato arrived on the next pitch.
Got chatting to the very nice owner and, subsequently, asked if I could have a look under the bonnet as he had mentioned, "it doesn't have a dipstick".
"Yes" he said, "it will be interesting as I haven't seen it yet myself"
He had owned it for 4months and was relying on the dash readout that everything was okay!

 

[MichaelT]

I have told this before but.....
A couple of years ago, I was on a site in Dorset and a new (to me) Ducato arrived on the next pitch.
Got chatting to the very nice owner and, subsequently, asked if I could have a look under the bonnet as he had mentioned, "it doesn't have a dipstick".
"Yes" he said, "it will be interesting as I haven't seen it yet myself"
He had owned it for 4months and was relying on the dash readout that everything was okay!

I have done that also as the dipstick is about a metre long and hard to get in and out and on double checking the readout is correct. I believe new ones don't have a stick.

 

[L' Hobo]

I have done that also as the dipstick is about a metre long and hard to get in and out and on double checking the readout is correct. I believe new ones don't have a stick.

He also thought it didn't have a dipstick but I eventually found one hidden under the front close to the rad.

 

[Littlewheels]

I just can't believe that you all don't know which is which, how the hell do you check these things if you don't know what is what , no wonder there is so many gearbox failures if folks are putting antifreeze in there clutch reservoir.

Why the only reason I open the bonnet is to fill the screen wash.

As strange as it may seem there will be people on here who don’t even know how to open the bonnet.

 

[chaser]

How many of these gearbox failures could have been avoided if it was seen before hand that the clutch fluid had dropped.?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[gus-lopez]

As strange as it may seem there will be people on here who don’t even know how to open the bonnet.

We worked with a bloke like that . Owned from new & after 2 years he had no idea how it opened & someone else showed him to be confronted with cobwebs ,spiders everywhere.

How many of these gearbox failures could have been avoided if it was seen before hand that the clutch fluid had dropped.?

Exactly .I check all mine evry day before going out & each time I stop when travelling

 

[dunnah01]

How many of these gearbox failures could have been avoided if it was seen before hand that the clutch fluid had dropped.?

Ahem - clutch CSC failures not gearbox

 

[chaser]

Ahem - clutch CSC failures not gearbox

Exactly, CLUTCH fluid

 

[MichaelT]

How many of these gearbox failures could have been avoided if it was seen before hand that the clutch fluid had dropped.?

As you may see from my picture you can't get close enough to see the levels unless you are a contortionist

 

[chaser]

As you may see from my picture you can't get close enough to see the levels unless you are a contortionist

I thought you only filled the screenwash bottle

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jerryz]

do it by taste washer fluid ,, gearbox atf, engine oil , brake fluid all taste different .....

 

[Minxy]

Come on Minxy whats going on?

I suppose they have had your money so it will sit there for a month.

Okay, spoke to the garage owner, they've done a diagnostic on it and it's coming up with the following:

• Shift position primary and secondary circuit out of range (linked to the slave cylinder?)
• CSC fault signal pause ability failure

It therefore appears to be the internal sensor that isn't correctly recognising where the clutch/gears are sitting, unfortunately this likely means taking the bell housing off to replace it as it's in there somewhere.

They can't do the work on it so we tried to get it in to NE Truck who they recommended but they are snowed under with work and the receptionist has been instructed not to take on any new engine/gearbox jobs at the moment as they are having difficulty getting Fiat parts (currently have 1 bay occupied by a MH waiting for bits) but due to being so busy even if they could take it, it would likely be 8 weeks before they could take a look at it!

Consequently its had to go to Jordans (Fiat Professional ) just a short hop down the road from them, they're first going to do a diagnostic on it on Tuesday (£138 + VAT) and then we'll confirm the work required.

Fortunately recovery provider (AA via Comfort insurance) agreed to move it to Jordans even though its the 'same fault' so we haven't had to fork out for that ... oh and the tracker is working as we've had alerts to say it's moved twice now!

As for the split pipe, the garage owner is ordering a new one so they'll replace it when the MH's drivable, for now they've just gaffer taped it up.

My wallet moths are starting to get a bit agitated in case I go in to get my credit card!!!!

 

[MichaelT]

Okay, spoke to the garage owner, they've done a diagnostic on it and it's coming up with the following:

• Shift position primary and secondary circuit out of range (linked to the slave cylinder?)
• CSC fault signal pause ability failure

It therefore appears to be the internal sensor that isn't correctly recognising where the clutch/gears are sitting, unfortunately this likely means taking the bell housing off to replace it as it's in there somewhere.

They can't do the work on it so we tried to get it in to NE Truck who they recommended but they are snowed under with work and the receptionist has been instructed not to take on any new engine/gearbox jobs at the moment as they are having difficulty getting Fiat parts (currently have 1 bay occupied by a MH waiting for bits) but due to being so busy even if they could take it, it would likely be 8 weeks before they could take a look at it!

Consequently its had to go to Jordans (Fiat Professional ) just a short hop down the road from them, they're first going to do a diagnostic on it on Tuesday (£138 + VAT) and then we'll confirm the work required.

Fortunately recovery provider (AA via Comfort insurance) agreed to move it to Jordans even though its the 'same fault' so we haven't had to fork out for that ... oh and the tracker is working as we've had alerts to say it's moved twice now!

As for the split pipe, the garage owner is ordering a new one so they'll replace it when the MH's drivable, for now they've just gaffer taped it up.

My wallet moths are starting to get a bit agitated in case I go in to get my credit card!!!!

Thanks for the update, did they accept any responsibility for the issues?

 

[Minxy]

Thanks for the update, did they accept any responsibility for the issues?

Only the pipe, they haven't touched anything that would affect the comfortmatic part of it, it's just sod's law that just as we're starting to sort out a winter break this happens, to be fair we haven't used it for over a month (sorned August) and hubby didn't take it out at all until the MOT/service, so appears just to be 'first use' coincidence. We could well do without it but in some ways if it was gonna go we'd rather it went now than when we we're up a mountain somewhere in a foreign country.

 

[Lenny HB]

That's a bit of a bummer, hope the bell housing doesn't have to come off as it could get very expensive.
Good luck with it, fingers crossed for you.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[lorger]

Consequently its had to go to Jordans (Fiat Professional ) just a short hop down the road from them, they're first going to do a diagnostic on it on Tuesday (£138 + VAT) and then we'll confirm the work required.

Did you get a diagnosis for the issue you had?

 

[Minxy]

Did you get a diagnosis for the issue you had?

No, and I'm not very happy!

Hubby didn't ring the garage so I did yesterday and found out that they haven't even looked at it yet!!! They said they 'might' be able to do so on Tuesday, a week later than we were told, but that's not guaranteed, in fact they might not get to look at it next week at all!!! They are extremely busy but we weren't told this when I booked it in with them and got it taken there.

I explained that I'm concerned that if they don't diagnose it soon they won't be able to order any parts needed, then once they do if there is a delay on what they need (many parts are on back-order) it could be a long time before they get them and it gets fixed which would scupper our winter trip. Additionally I'm not overly happy at it being stuck there for a long time either - at least we have solar so the hab batteries should be okay but the cab battery might suffer if we have loads of dull days.

I'll be on the blower on Tuesday afternoon to see what's happened, if nothing they'll need the help of their God to protect them!

 

[lorger]

No, and I'm not very happy!

Hubby didn't ring the garage so I did yesterday and found out that they haven't even looked at it yet!!! They said they 'might' be able to do so on Tuesday, a week later than we were told, but that's not guaranteed, in fact they might not get to look at it next week at all!!! They are extremely busy but we weren't told this when I booked it in with them and got it taken there.

I explained that I'm concerned that if they don't diagnose it soon they won't be able to order any parts needed, then once they do if there is a delay on what they need (many parts are on back-order) it could be a long time before they get them and it gets fixed which would scupper our winter trip. Additionally I'm not overly happy at it being stuck there for a long time either - at least we have solar so the hab batteries should be okay but the cab battery might suffer if we have loads of dull days.

I'll be on the blower on Tuesday afternoon to see what's happened, if nothing they'll need the help of their God to protect them!

Hopefully you get an answer next Tuesday

 

[Minxy]

Right ... I have an answer ... of sorts ... but it's gonna hurt!

We were able to see the MH moving and the ignition turned on and off yesterday due to alerts on our tracker so having not had a call from Jordans I rang this afternoon. They've done a full Fiat diagnostic on it and the gearbox fault scan has come back with fault code E2919-24 which is pointing to it being something to do with the clutch/clutch cylinder and the only way to definitively diagnose the issue is to remove the gearbox!

That's bad enough but as there is a major delay on parts they won't even start on it without having any parts likely needed (eg replacement clutch) already in and available to use for the likely issue so it can be sorted out whilst it's on the lift, they have a Fiat stuck blocking another lift waiting for a clutch and it's been there a month already (just like the other garage!).

As the parts will probably take at least a month (or 2!) before they arrive (constantly on back order at present) they can't schedule the work either so we haven't a clue when it will actually be fully diagnosed never mind actually fixed.

Of course it's gonna send the wallet moths into a frenzy ... the labour required is likely to be 10-11 hours minimum just to remove the gearbox then of course fix whatever is required with the relevant parts and put it back together again ... it's gonna be ruddy expensive, probably £3k, possibly more ...

The likelihood of this being sorted before Christmas is looking increasingly slim so our winter jaunt is probably totally off the flipping cards ... good job I didn't book anything.

The next problem is what to do about the MH itself ... we don't want to leave it sitting there for a month, likely more, as we'll end up with a stuffed cab battery and no alarm/tracker which equals no insurance. We also aren't happy with it being there and a 'temptation' to any scroates especially as it's pretty much fully loaded with stuff (fortunately the Bromptons never made it inside!). Consequently we're looking at having it brought home and then taken back when it's scheduled to actually be worked on. Our recovery won't do it FOC (they already moved it a second time FOC when they shouldn't so can't knock them) and are quoting £124.20 each time (5 miles x 2) so I've contacted the sub-contractor who did it for them but am awaiting a price.

Soooooooo .... in order to get the ball rolling I've rung Jordans and told them to order the parts. They're going to try to find out the up-to-date parts situation as some clutch bits etc are starting to come through, but the chap seems to think that even if they came through quickly it's still likely to be a month or more before it gets scheduled to be worked on.

Peed off doesn't cover how we feel ... cheesed-off with loads of knobs on doesn't either!

 

[CazPaul]

Wow a bit of a saga that, best of luck getting it fixed as quick as possible.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[dunnah01]

I'd be a little suspicious that they've got air into the clutch system if they have changed the brake fluid and it's the shared reservoir type of comfortmatic system. A simple clutch bleed may be all that's required.

 

[Pausim]

As dunnah01 suggests it is a bit too much of a coincidence that it went wrong immediately after it had been serviced. I think it would be well worth paying to have the hydraulic clutch activation fluid changed and the clutch kiss point reset. Might not cure it but will be a great deal cheaper and quicker than what the garage want to do if it proves to be enough.

 

[Lenny HB]

Sorry for you woes Mel, whebmn you first described the problem I suspected it would be slave cylinder clutch is probably damaged as well hopefully DMF is OK.

Tends to happen when the clutch fluid is not changed reguarly, only seems to be a problem highlighted in the last year.

10—11 hours labour to get the gearbox put seems OTT, I thought it was 4 hours to get the gearbox out & back in.

 

[Minxy]

I'd be a little suspicious that they've got air into the clutch system if they have changed the brake fluid and it's the shared reservoir type of comfortmatic system. A simple clutch bleed may be all that's required.

They're separate.

 

[Minxy]

As dunnah01 suggests it is a bit too much of a coincidence that it went wrong immediately after it had been serviced. I think it would be well worth paying to have the hydraulic clutch activation fluid changed and the clutch kiss point reset. Might not cure it but will be a great deal cheaper and quicker than what the garage want to do if it proves to be enough.

We were actually trying to find someone to do just that at the same time as the service was carried out or at another one experienced in Comfortmatics, but unfortunately there was NO ONE who would touch a Comfortmatic (or any automatic for that matter) who had any availability (time) to do it - our original garage choice for looking at the issue told us they weren't taking in any more work due to problems getting parts and the amount of work they already have so it would've been at least 2 months before they 'might' even consider taking a look at it.

It's sheer madness not being able to find somewhere to deal with the service requirements for the Comfortmatic - Fiat themselves (Jordans) hadn't got a clue about it and wouldn't touch it so they aren't going to do anything at all with that side of things.

I'm going to get in touch with Fiat customer services and see if I can get some joy from them as the fact that we're having such an expensive issue with what is a comparatively low mileage vehicle of under 22k. Obviously I'll also be looking to see if there's anything about 'fit for purpose', 'longevity' etc to do with items supposedly having a minimum usable life, especially expensive items, and see if there's anything there I can pursue.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Minxy]

Sorry for you woes Mel, whebmn you first described the problem I suspected it would be slave cylinder clutch is probably damaged as well hopefully DMF is OK.

Knowing our luck the whole flipping lot will need doing - we had an issue on a Ford ex-ambulance which lost all gears except 3rd, when they went in to fix it I seem to recall it was the thrust bearing that had gone but whilst it was apart they fitted a new Cosworth heavy duty clutch as it just wasn't worth the risk of having to split it all again in the future to do it.

Tends to happen when the clutch fluid is not changed reguarly, only seems to be a problem highlighted in the last year.

Nothing in our manuals to say to change it regularly, check level at 2 yearly servicing and top up, even the specific Comfortmatic manual (which we weren't provided with but found on the web!) only says to check it at 48,000 km.

10—11 hours labour to get the gearbox put seems OTT, I thought it was 4 hours to get the gearbox out & back in.

According to hubby that's not the case for an auto as there are more bits to take off and it's not as accessible as a standard van based vehicle would be. He may have been giving me a worse case scenario ... I hope so!

 

[rb62]

It is ridiculous that these Fiat 'Professional' garages havn't got a person trained to do the fluid change and recalibration on these comfortmatic boxes.
We went to Adams Morey on Tuesday,job done in under the hour!

 

[dunnah01]

They're separate.

Definitely ignore any codes then. Hopefully they checked the fluid level in the eggcup before any diagnostics were done and found plenty in there (If there was little or no fluid in there then the CSC has clearly failed and there would be no need any further diagnostics).
If there is fluid in the eggcup then the first thing to try would be the KISS point reset (including code resets etc..). You can get some quite alarming clonks and thumps if the clutch is out of adjustment and not engaging/disengaging fully. I'd also make sure that the wiring loom is fully attached to the bulkhead clips.
They should then run through the Comfortmatic gear selection and clutch operation routines to see if they are working properly (all via diagnostics)
Only after doing these should they start looking for any physical damage and start pulling things apart.

 

[Lenny HB]

Nothing in our manuals to say to change it regularly, check level at 2 yearly servicing and top up, even the specific Comfortmatic manual (which we weren't provided with but found on the web!) only says to check it at 48,000 km.

The manual has been updated sevel times over the last few years I only found out about the need to change the fluid on Fun.
I was lucky as it was 6 years when I got mine done, had a chat with Simon the service manager at AM he runs a Comformatic and he changes the fluid annually on his and recommends to change it no later than 2 years.

 

[Pausim]

Nothing in our manuals to say to change it regularly, check level at 2 yearly servicing and top up, even the specific Comfortmatic manual (which we weren't provided with but found on the web!) only says to check it at 48,000 km.

The separate Comfortmatic manual has been dropped in favour of an updated Ducato manual. I am surprised your manual does not show the new schedule because your Compactline is about the same age as mine (2019)

.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}