Technical 2015 Panda 0.9 Dualogic Clutch Grinding/Burning at idle

[heliart]

New to me (5 weeks) 2015 Dualogic 0.9 Panda with almost 40K on the clock. Full service history.
Just a few days ago started making a grinding with a smell of bruning clutch while at idle.
Still drives ok once going.

My small local garage put it up on the ramps today and confirmed the clutch system is the problem (which I knew) but would not touch the Dualogic.
Is this really a specilist job?

btw, I've got 6 months RAC warranty from the dealer I got it from - no idea whether that's worth the paper it's written on or not?

Comments welcome,

Patricia.

 

[Marcus Daly]

Heading straight back to the dealer brandishing your warranty seems like the obvious first course of action.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[jrkitching]

Yes, welcome to the forum. Sorry it's in these circumstances.

As you probably know already, it's a conventional gearbox and mechanical clutch, operated by a robotised mechanism. Whilst the physical clutch replacement is likely similar to a manual car, my understanding is that there is a necessary recalibration procedure after replacing it. This requires specialist software which most general purpose garages won't have (you need examiner or MES can do the recalibration). A main dealer repair won't be cheap, and they'll likely charge you north of £100 just to look at it. An independent Fiat speciaist is your best bet if you're going to be paying for the repair yourself.

As to the warrranty, you'll just have to ask, but expect resistance if it's deemed to be a wear and tear failure - many warranties don't cover clutch friction materials. If you've very recently purchased it (and certainly if it's in the last 30 days), returning it to the selling dealer under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 may be a better course of action than trying to claim on the warrranty.

I'd certainly be heading for the dealer, but I'd be looking for a solution which left me not owning this car. My own instinct would be to try to reject it and get a refund if you can - these transmissions are known to be a shedload of trouble on older (>5yrs/40000 miles) cars and there's no way of knowing that simply replacing the clutch and recalibrating the software will be the end of your troubles.

Take a look at this thread to understand why I'm saying this.

 

[heliart]

OK, here's my sorry update.

Car was bought June (paperwork date) and delivered to me 4th July.
Started making grinding sounds 28th July. I booked it into my local friendly old boy garage 1st August to have them put it up on the ramps to see if it was anything obvious. No charge from them, but they said it was the clutch and I should go to a clutch specialist.
Contacted the supplying dealer about the RAC warranty as it had not been set up at the time. He sorted this, and I started to phone around loca local garages (and the not so local RAC approved places). Even tried a couple of recommended auto transmission specialist. Once they knew it was a Dualogic they did'nt want the work.
I then stupidly booked it into my local Fiat dealer on the 3rd August. Their initial diag was DMF failure and wanted my to approve further diags - which I did.
2 weeks and £720 later, gearbox out they confirm gearbox housing damage etc, bill of £2800 for full repair.
At this point I talk to the supplying dealer again, who has been helpful and has arranged to have the car taken to a gearbox specialist in London.
He also go the RAC to cover most of the claim (limit of £1000).
Problem is, today I'm told I will now owe £730 to gearbox specialist as the repair also needed a new clutch etc.

I've asked the supplying dealer to help shoulder some of the costs, but he's not interested saying he's done all he can.
He's telling me the car will be better than it was with new clutch and repaired gearbox.
I even asked if he would buy the car back from me, but he's not interested.

Problem is, where do I stand?
I know I was bloody stupid going to the local Fiat dealer, and to be honest they were useless.

I don't want the car returned, but want to dealer to help with the cost of rapair.
btw, the car had only done 150 miles in my ownership.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[jrkitching]

Thank you for coming back with an update to your story.

I'm sorry to hear it's turned out like this - condolences.

Unfortunately clutch and DMF failures on the TwinAir at this age and mileage are quite often reported here; both are considered wear and tear items. Collateral damage is also commonly reported and a quote of £2800 for a franchised dealer repair will surprise no one.

Let's hope that this will prove to be a durable and lasting fix. If it doesn't, and you notice any further issues with the transmission, then cut your losses and sell the car for the best price you can get.

It's possible you may have a claim against the selling dealer under the Consumer Rights Act. You may have to go to Court to get this, but if you can convince a Court that the fault was, on balance of probability, present when you bought the car (and what you've posted certainly convinces me that it was), then the Court may order the dealer to contribute toward the repair cost. However, unless the dealer cooperates (which isn't likely), don't underestimate the sheer amount of stress and hassle this will involve. Writing this off to experience may be the least worst option now.

That said, a visit to the CAB is what I'd suggest next if you still want to take this further.

How much have you actually had to pay towards this out of your own pocket?

 

[The Panda Nut]

This may be a trading standards case. Not fit for purpose. I would definitely ask. Their advice may not be strong but its free. The seller has obligations but I dont know if you have released him by starting the job off yoiurself. Take advice.