Yup, its all fixed and ready, just got back from London so will be picking it up tomorrow morning.

Fiat have paid for the gear box, but i did get a call from the service manager as the clutch was 3/4 worn (I am dubious) and gave me the option of putting back in the original or put a new one in which he would not charge labour for while the gearbox was already off.

Not wanting to have a large repair bill in the not too distant future I auth the new clutch to go in just to be safe rather than sorry.

It was probably ok as it felt ok (it did slip a little when it got hot, which it does easily) and the cars only got 36k on it- which is low so i have probably been relieved of money i needent part with yet, but to have a clutch fitted as part only cost seems better than waiting for it to go then have a labour charge as well.

Everyone I have spoken to would have done the same thing.

Big Black Stilo said:

Everyone I have spoken to would have done the same thing.

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Definitely! have you missed your big black 'LO?

Just a bit, getting sick of being chauffered in the chav rocket (saxo)

I need it back.

This has made me think though, even though i love the car, im thinking of getting shut and getting something like a ford focus or mondeo.

ooh...theres a funny taste in my mouth now!

Big Black Stilo said:

Just a bit, getting sick of being chauffered in the chav rocket (saxo)

I need it back.

This has made me think though, even though i love the car, im thinking of getting shut and getting something like a ford focus or mondeo.

ooh...theres a funny taste in my mouth now!

Click to expand...

:yuck: :yuck: :yuck:

Unless....

I do love the ST220 Mondingo

And even though they're common as muck... the ST FUCOS!!

2.4 5cyl turbo mmmm the potential!

I was thinking of a TD estate mondeo ghia x

Big Black Stilo said:

This has made me think though, even though i love the car, im thinking of getting shut and getting something like a ford focus or mondeo.

Click to expand...

Well at least you could look forward to it going wrong instead of having to cringe











......as it would give you the chance to drive a more interesting loan car (even a Saxo ).

According to Fiat my clutch needed done at 17k odd when it was in getting the seals done. Same excuse since we have the box off the clutch is work. Probably wanted money as the clutch they showed me they wldn't allow me to bring home??

You've got every right to keep the old clutch plate (you do own it after all!).

The only exception would be if they charged only the part cost of a new one (say your original clutch is half worn so they charge only half the cost of the new clutch - but keep the old one)

They charged me the cost of a new clutch and still kept the old one. Wasn't even sure the clutch was worn as it felt fine and wasn't heavy but out of safety and saving money i decided to change it anyways

I Knew it be a common trick, i might have got another 40k out of it, you never know.

I did 70k in my last car on a single clutch, that said i am doing the same mileage now but not on motorways, but through normal roads so it does get used more, ah well going picking it up now

Well got it back this morning and covered 122 miles today pottering around doing different things.

At first the clutch was juddering but this is starting to go now. Has also slipped a couple of times when cold, but again just put it down to bedding in and hasnt done it this afternoon.

The bite is right a the bottom of the pedal though. The new noise on the clutch pedal has gone (the metalic sounding one) but the creak is still there.

Bloody car stinks of oil as it coated everthing when it went, including the exhaust.