I have recently had a clutch and gearbox change on a Mk 1 (1997) Fiat Punto 1.2 60S (five gears). The car was driveable but lacking power.

I was told by specialists at Mr. Clutch that oil from the gearbox was leaking onto the clutch and so the gearbox needed to be replaced with the clutch, even though gear changing was ok (as this would save the new clutch being oiled again). It was noted that there was some light 'chirping' in neutral when the clutch was not depressed.

The job was carried out by Mr. Clutch for £550 - a 'sale price' on their website.

First fitting - great gear changing but light whirring noises during gear changes and during 4th gear cruising. No chirping.

Asked for a replacement...

Second fitting - occasional sticking of 1st and 2nd gears and light chirping noises when in neutral (i.e. when clutch not depressed).

I understand (now) that these gearboxes are not new but reconditioned. I am wondering how these are reconditioned as my original and the two replacements have behaved differently.

Surely all gear changes should be smooth(ish) and quiet, even on a reconditioned gearbox!

I am going back for a third fitting........

Any comments?

Mark

Hi mate and WELCOME TO THE FORUM!! :wave:

First comment = Mr Clutch :bang:

The stories of Mr Clutch "antics" never fail to amaze me. My elderly next door neighbour took his car to one of their chains, was quoted £230 for a new clutch, when he turned up, they demanded over £1500. They told him that his flywheel was knackered and they had "hand made" one in the workshop for him as they were impossible to get hold of (mk4 astra). They refused to give him his car back untill he paid, needless to say, he got his car back, and he didnt pay £1500

If you search the forum you will see countless threads about how poor mr clutch are. Infact if you search almost any car forum you will see the same thing.

My advice would be to keep ALL paperwork. Get any agreements of work they have done WRITTEN DOWN. Let them have ONE last go at getting it right, and then go down the legal route (hence keeping all the paperwork etc)

Replacing a clutch a gearbox on a 60 is probably one of the simplest clutch/gearbox changes you could do! Yet it doesnt surprise me that they have cocked it up.

From a new clutch with a new/reconditioned gearbox, you should expect clean smooth gear changes. No sticking or notchyness. This is what you are paying them your hard earned money for after all!!

A reconditioned box should be just as smooth and quiet as a new box.

Goodluck mate, hope you getting it sorted.

Alan

It does sound like their idea of 'reconditioned' is 'second hand'.

Do the new gearboxes look really clean?

Did they offer the old clutch parts back?

Cheers

D

They told you a load of ball-cocks dude.

Oil on the clutch plate means a new oil seal at best. They probably put your perfectly good gearbox into some other mug's car.

Get them to fix your gearbox and ask for your money back. You didn't need a new gearbox.

Tell all your friends. Never use Mr Clutch again.




Ralf S.

Thanks Alan, D and Ralph for your thoughts.

The two replacement gearboxes were both reconditioned units - the shell is retained (the exterior is painted black) and the insides are replaced if necessary (I have been told). They assured me that any faults were due to faulty parts, not worn parts (?/!).

My original gearbox has been sent away - they could not tell me where exactly - so I'll probably not see that again. I suppose this will be reconditioned in turn.

They seem to be very friendly people and are willing to try another gearbox, but no apology for the inconvenience has been forthcoming. No discount is being offered either, although I did ask.

I'll post more when I take the car round again.

Mark

Yeah.. they probably give it some kind of an overhaul, even if it's just a clean and a check plus new seals.. It's a shame though.. your fella sounded okay (all gearboxes make some kinds of whistles, whines or fluttering noises from time to time).

Let's hope they sort it pretty quickly. Make sure you keep any guarantee paperworks..


Ralf S.

never go to mr clutch search any car forum they are all full of horror stories about them, they are only specialists in ripping people off

I actually work for Mr Clutch.

Now, I am Fiat Forum's biggest hate figure.

I'm sorry.

EDIT: What site did you go to? I can make some enquiries.

New seal in gearbox would have cured it. I know because I've had 2 puntos with the same problem!
Chirping will be the clutch on it's way out. New clutch would cure that.
Max price to pay is about £250
You've been ripped off completely I'm afraid.

Also why does this forum advertise Mr.clutch? Everyone knows they're as useful as kwikfit

The third gearbox fitting has now been completed and all is well - even the management tested the car this time! No noises, no clunky clutch.

I was shown the reconditioned gearbox before it was fitted. Everything had been cleaned inside the unit (and appeared bright silver) with the outer case painted black.

Friendly and helpful staff (maybe the source of the reconditioned gearboxes needs to be questioned) but still no apologies or discount offered.

Could have been worse, so I'm happy enough.

Thankyou again for all your comments - very interesting.

Mark

Hi mate,

Glad you have got it all sorted now

Alan

reconditioning should involve more than cleaning, often it doesn't though

dave said:

reconditioning should involve more than cleaning, often it doesn't though

Click to expand...

Yup, I'd rather see a slightly grubby gearbox with an attached work order listing the new parts used and hours taken, than a shiny, painty thing with no records.

Cheers

D

Glad that it's sorted.

There are people at Mr Clutch who care about the quality of their work, but it's the lazy cowboys who get the most attention.