Wee bit advice needed

A different model of van, I know (mine is a Mark 6 Transit), but I had a new clutch last year done by a lad who runs his own repair business and specialises in Transits so he knows them inside out - the total bill (and I think it included a new clutch slave / spigot, whatever that is) came to about £400 (maybe less, I can't remember exactly) (parts + labour + VAT). He did it pretty much singlehandedly, dropping gearbox, in an hour and half and clearly knew exactly what he was doing - he's probably only in his late twenties but he said he'd probably done several thousand clutch changes. He only charges £30/hour labour so although its a 60 mile drive each way, it works out cheaper on big jobs than local mechanics, plus I can stay over in his yard the night before and for the duration of the repair. He is always really busy and has a lot of fleet contracts, some from a considerable distance away.

None of this is much use to you I know but the point is that there are some really high skilled specialists out there who won't rip you off and who do a good job but it's finding them that's the problem. It might be worth contacting some local courier companies and asking them who does their van repairs and maintenance or any other companies who run large van fleets.
 
I do wonder what happened to the ability to diagnose mechanical faults like this without having to "put it on the computer"?

Has your van been 'mapped' has that can shorten the life of a clutch. Never been a fan of duel-mass and have changed many back to standard.
 
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I bought my first brand new van in 2008 after a succession of home builds and secondhand vans. It was an Auto Trail on a 3 litre manual Ducato-then the trouble started clutch went at 200 miles,then everytime I took it out something happened ranging from minor to major. FIATs after care was useless and at times very dodgy,I believe that the Manager of their 'customer care' was on company orders,put me off the Italian jobs for ever,I now have a Tranny,no probs-so far!
I do think that as soon as you can get out of the clutches of a warranty garage,find a good mechanic,preferably on personal recommendation. There are many independent motorhome service garages that a quality service at a reasonable cost. I agree on the price difference between a bog standard van and a motorhome on the same chassis.
Caravans and boats have a similar structure for spares and accessories.
 
Polar Bear said:
I do wonder what happened to the ability to diagnose mechanical faults like this without having to "put it on the computer"?

Has your van been 'mapped' has that can shorten the life of a clutch. Never been a fan of duel-mass and have changed many back to standard.
Click to expand...

Precisely what happened to me with a previous Autotrail.I had it re-mapped by a cowboy off of e bay from 127bhp up to 165bhp.It was then possible to spin the drive wheels,problem was I needed a new clutch after 6 months.Never again,I would sooner change down on the long drawn out hills.
 
sasquatch said:
I bought my first brand new van in 2008 after a succession of home builds and secondhand vans. It was an Auto Trail on a 3 litre manual Ducato-then the trouble started clutch went at 200 miles,then everytime I took it out something happened ranging from minor to major. FIATs after care was useless and at times very dodgy,I believe that the Manager of their 'customer care' was on company orders,put me off the Italian jobs for ever,I now have a Tranny,no probs-so far!
I do think that as soon as you can get out of the clutches of a warranty garage,find a good mechanic,preferably on personal recommendation. There are many independent motorhome service garages that a quality service at a reasonable cost. I agree on the price difference between a bog standard van and a motorhome on the same chassis.
Caravans and boats have a similar structure for spares and accessories.
Click to expand...

Excellent advice about using a good local independent garage,I am fortunate to have found a trustworthy one who does a good job at a good price.
 
delicagirl said:
and those who comment on others alleged pomposity are in danger of sounding the same way........ just like I am doing now....
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A good point,my post did sound like that and was a bit injudicious,on this occasion I failed to follow my own advice to preview post and read through 3 times before clicking submit.

Apologies to all concerned,including David.
 
Polar Bear said:
I do wonder what happened to the ability to diagnose mechanical faults like this without having to "put it on the computer"?

Has your van been 'mapped' has that can shorten the life of a clutch. Never been a fan of duel-mass and have changed many back to standard.
Click to expand...

Not that I know.
 
sasquatch said:
I bought my first brand new van in 2008 after a succession of home builds and secondhand vans. It was an Auto Trail on a 3 litre manual Ducato-then the trouble started clutch went at 200 miles,then everytime I took it out something happened ranging from minor to major. FIATs after care was useless and at times very dodgy,I believe that the Manager of their 'customer care' was on company orders,put me off the Italian jobs for ever,I now have a Tranny,no probs-so far!
I do think that as soon as you can get out of the clutches of a warranty garage,find a good mechanic,preferably on personal recommendation. There are many independent motorhome service garages that a quality service at a reasonable cost. I agree on the price difference between a bog standard van and a motorhome on the same chassis.
Caravans and boats have a similar structure for spares and accessories.
Click to expand...


I have a great mechanic does all my work, the problem here was I took the van down for repair on warenty, left the van went on holiday came back and they told me my clutch is fecked, so van is down in Newcastle I'm in Edinburgh so I have just swallowed the cost and will pick van up and get on with my life :)))) live an learn :)
 
sinner said:
I have a great mechanic does all my work, the problem here was I took the van down for repair on warenty, left the van went on holiday came back and they told me my clutch is fecked, so van is down in Newcastle I'm in Edinburgh so I have just swallowed the cost and will pick van up and get on with my life :)))) live an learn :)
Click to expand...

Sometimes Alan, that's the best way. As you say, live and learn.
 
Just popped in and read this thread. Cant believe the cost involved. I should have stayed in the trade. If its a Fiat /Boxer the normal price for a replacement clutch is just under £1000 at a franchised dealer and half that at a local one using non franchise parts. Diagnosis on the clutch requires nothing other than a good mechanic with a bit of savy. Full replacement clutch, driven plate, pressure plate and bearing costs between £50 to £100, depending on model, parts are really cheap now. I hope you have it all sorted out to your satisfaction by now.
Best regards
(fellow Scot not far from you)
 
kito said:
Hi 30,000 is low mileage for a clutch to go it must have had a hard life. A clutch should do a lot more miles than that,

Tip If you park your van up for more than a week, Don't leave it in gear and don't leave the hand brake on if atoll possible rather choke wheels as the brake shoes can rust and can bond to drums, Same with the clutch and if it bonds to the fly wheel you wont get it out of gear Start it up and run the engine press the clutch pedal few times and select a gear and just slip the clutch a few times just to clean the plates, Or better still give the van a short run,


That could be the cause of the early clutch fail your because if it sticks it weakens the pressure plate and that can lead to a slipping clutch
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A stuck clutch will not weaken the diaphram,but if you ever get one stuck on the secret is either start her in gear down hill holding the pedal in but pumping the throttle and it wiil break free,not good for engine mounts but it works.
Second thing if you are going to leave van a long time jack it up so the tyres dont touch the ground as long standing squires/flat spots the tyres ,and yes hand brake of, but it dont mater leaving in or out of gear.
If hyd clutch watch out for master/slave cyl sticking.
 
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Bigwully said:
Just popped in and read this thread. Cant believe the cost involved. I should have stayed in the trade. If its a Fiat /Boxer the normal price for a replacement clutch is just under £1000 at a franchised dealer and half that at a local one using non franchise parts. Diagnosis on the clutch requires nothing other than a good mechanic with a bit of savy. Full replacement clutch, driven plate, pressure plate and bearing costs between £50 to £100, depending on model, parts are really cheap now. I hope you have it all sorted out to your satisfaction by now.
Best regards
(fellow Scot not far from you)
Click to expand...

sorted, but not to my satisfaction ie, I have to pay £1500 lol but hey I got a new clutch ;)))
 
kito

trevskoda said:
A stuck clutch will not weaken the diaphram,but if you ever get one stuck on the secret is either start her in gear down hill holding the pedal in but pumping the throttle and it wiil break free,not good for engine mounts but it works.
Second thing if you are going to leave van a long time jack it up so the tyres dont touch the ground as long standing squires/flat spots the tyres ,and yes hand brake of, but it dont mater leaving in or out of gear.
If hyd clutch watch out for master/slave cyl sticking.
Click to expand...

Hi If the clutch plate is stuck to fly wheel and also stuck to the pressure plate by pressing the pedal you are compressing diaphragm springs which is trying to pull the plate off flywheel so putting a lot strain extra strain on the spring , If its free the plate can slide on spigot shaft.

What happens if van is facing uphill?
 
trevskoda said:
Is there not after market ones though,i would have thought the iveco old type flywheel would fit.
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I think the 3.0 litre engine is not a modified 2.8 engine block Trev (but I could be wrong) and may have a totally different design, making the Flywheel very different. Without measuring the 2 types up, it would be impossible to say.

As Fiat are discontinuing manufacture of the 3.0 engine, I doubt anyone will spend time and money with a non DMF conversion.
 
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