just to share my experience

after enquiring abt the upgrade clutch, would have never guess i got it install few weeks later.

here it goes

2 weeks back,
one morning, gear 1 :higher than 1800 rpm, something can be felt slipping..
suspect clutch wearout ..
as speed goes higher , very slowly, due to power failing to xfer from engine to whatever is breaking down...
happens in gear 2 or 3 too

mileage 50k miles
in my country the doblo , gets a warrenty of 62k or 3 years (which ever comes first)

decided to stop test, got it tow back to the local fiat workshop,

was informed if clutch wear out, labour 120pounds, clutch kit 120pounds

next day, the chief mechnic called

informed after checking
that flywheel was spoiled. have problem turning.
and flywheel is not suppose to be cover under warrenty.
a wear and tear item

flywheel labour + part 600 pounds


as i had a new clutch replaced by them at about 15k miles
suspect the clutch linning could not have worn out so fast.

i refuse to pay for a new flywheel ,

requested to meetup the workshop service manager.
we inspected the parts during the meetup.
clutch lining proven not worn out, there is still some left, abt 1/3 ,
told him that clutch have not even worn out, how can the flywheel be worn out ?


he mentioned that this is out of his ability ,
so there was another meeting with a few other department from the enginnering/QA managers.

in the end , flywheel was replaced for free, since the gearbox is out, i got them to change the clutch too, to the upgraded part, paid for the clutch but got a discount on the labour.

the meetings and repairs took abt 2 weeks to get everything sorted,

as after the flywheel & clutch went in..
a leak at the oil sump gasket was spotted,
out came the sump , cleaned and re-sealed.

finally got the vehicle back yesterday,

the 2 year plus old doblo was reborn ,
with the new clutch and flywheel
the engine seems to be able to transfer more power to the wheel

mingsect said:

just to share my experience

Click to expand...

and thanks for doing so - nice to hear that common sense rules in some parts of the Fiat world

bahnstormer vrs said:

You have a Doblo in S'pore? Didn't know they went that far!

Click to expand...

the doblo reached our shores around the later part of 2004
newfacelift version only after 2006

as far as i know, there are also doblo in malaysia .

Hi,
Virgin member so please be gentle with me!
I joined the forum because I too have a slipping clutch on my 2005 Doblo 1.9JTD Family, at the upper end of the rev range.
I've only just bought the car with 13,000 miles on the clock,good in all other respects, except for a main beam problem, (more about that in another thread maybe).
I cannot get rid of my clutch problem,though,wherever I put my feet, and will be visiting my Local dealer asap.
I get the feeling,that this is a tip of an iceberg.It would be interesting to discover how common this problem really is. Jon (ELPUECO)

ELPUECO said:

Hi,
I've only just bought the car with 13,000 miles on the clock............ discover how common this problem really is. Jon (ELPUECO)

Click to expand...

Hi Jon

Any chance of speaking with the previous ownerr to see if they had the problem - it might be a reason why it was sold on ?

Thanks...its a good thought.....something smells in the state of Denmark.....I did wonder when I bought it.It would be useful to know just how many cars are affecte though.Jon

ELPUECO said:

It would be useful to know just how many cars are affected.Jon

Click to expand...

Mine is OK so far but will watch for any signs - that said it is only a 1.3 with 2000 miles new in October last year.

here's an update..

after 5000 or so miles.

jacked up the doblo, while changing engine oil,

discovered gearbox leaking



driveshaft pocket held by cable tie




spoken to the service manager.
apparently the gearbox was not seal properly after the flywheel and clutch replacement

Seal problem.....hhhmmmm, this seems to be a common problem here as well. It seems the local agents don't know how to fit the seal properly. I've heard this complaint from several people. My Doblo was doing the slip as well in November last year, and soon started slipping out of second gear (about a week later). Was due for 100 000km (62000 mile) service anyway, so booked it in. Literally the day before the service, the gear selector broke. Towed it in, serviced, replaced gear selector, new clutch kit. When asked why the selector broke, I was told it was a part malfunction. When I picked the vehicle up, surprise surprise, still slipping out of second. Took it back, only to be told that the gearbox needs overhauling. No believable explanation as to why (many suspect stories: gear selector not engaging properly etc). Was told that teeth were worn. I am not the first owner of the vehicle, so no idea what the prevous owner got up to. I have only put about 50 000km on the vehicle. Luckily still under extended (private) warranty, but still cost me about 4 000 ZAR (about 200 pounds) which sounds heavy, but the whole job would have cost about 12 000 ZAR (about 660 pounds). I checked this cost with different gearbox specialists, and it seemed right. I was told the big cost item was the parts. Seems to be sorted, although I do get slight shudder very occasionally on slow pull away. There is a year guarentee on the gearbox, and clutch, so I will wait and see.

mingsect said:

driveshaft pocket held by cable tie

Click to expand...

I've replaced many of these on different cars over the years and I was surprised when I first saw it but some of these are supplied with cable ties, I recall one car I had to fight to get the metal clip off but the replacement (main dealer part) used cable ties.

lugnut said:

Seal problem.....hhhmmmm, this seems to be a common problem here as well. It seems the local agents don't know how to fit the seal properly. I've heard this complaint from several people. My Doblo was doing the slip as well in November last year, and soon started slipping out of second gear (about a week later). Was due for 100 000km (62000 mile) service anyway, so booked it in. Literally the day before the service, the gear selector broke. Towed it in, serviced, replaced gear selector, new clutch kit. When asked why the selector broke, I was told it was a part malfunction. When I picked the vehicle up, surprise surprise, still slipping out of second. Took it back, only to be told that the gearbox needs overhauling. No believable explanation as to why (many suspect stories: gear selector not engaging properly etc). Was told that teeth were worn. I am not the first owner of the vehicle, so no idea what the prevous owner got up to. I have only put about 50 000km on the vehicle. Luckily still under extended (private) warranty, but still cost me about 4 000 ZAR (about 200 pounds) which sounds heavy, but the whole job would have cost about 12 000 ZAR (about 660 pounds). I checked this cost with different gearbox specialists, and it seemed right. I was told the big cost item was the parts. Seems to be sorted, although I do get slight shudder very occasionally on slow pull away. There is a year guarentee on the gearbox, and clutch, so I will wait and see.

Click to expand...

I am taking dobby to a local garage for flywheel and clutch. Can somebody clarify what this seal problem is ?

I dont know much about gearboxes.. is this a seal where the clutch shaft goes into the gearbox, or further down where the driveshafts exit the box.

thanks