General Clutch broken AGAIN

Currently reading:
General Clutch broken AGAIN

jimbob1979

New member
Joined
Dec 24, 2005
Messages
21
Points
12
Location
Coventry
Extremely dissatisfying visit to Fiat Research garage Nuneaton. I purchased my 2017 tipo 1.6mjet last July, 20k on the clock, clutch was slipping by last november after just 23k! They replaced the clutch under the 3 year warranty, now the clutch bearing is on its way out at just 34k, grinding noise when pressing the clutch and high pitch whirring noise when travelling at speed.
Took it in yesterday to be looked at, was told they need to strip the car down to see exactly what it was at a cost of over £600. Then was told that the part replaced under warranty doesnt come with a further 12 month warranty as i didnt pay for the new part myself! What a joke, was told i might be given some discount as a gesture of goodwill from Fiat but its a risk i take after i pay for all of the work to be done. After this experience i will never be buying a used car from there ever again. I can get an entire clutch kit fitted elsewhere for around £350 so why would i risk paying over £600 for the work???
 
Hello Jimbob.

Best thing to do in that scenario is to raise a case with FCA customer care and express your concerns. I would of also thought the concentric slave cylinder/release bearing was replaced during the repair of the clutch in the first instance.

They will ask for service history so if you have it and its been at a Fiat garage for the servicing they may look in your favour as goodwill (i had goodwill rejected because i didnt show brand loyalty. I stated that it was £250 cheaper getting my garage to do the service). With goodwill you will be best paying a contribution as then you will have a warranty against the parts replaced. Whereas if Fiat pay, there is no warranty.

I also have an issue with clutch slip on my car but only when the car is hot and the the accelerator is 100% pressed with the car in 5th and 6th gear. My car is a 17 plate with 42k on it. Its been advised by Fiat technical to have the clutch inspected. If its not that i will be asking Fiat for a refund of labour costs.
 
I have never been impressed with Research garage either I'm afraid. Johnsons Solihull seem good although I have only had basic brakes and tires done they impressed me with their customer service.
 
On any warranty claim you will get the balance of the warranty applied to the new parts.. so if you get a new clutch under warranty at 34 months, the new clutch is warranted for 2 months. The warranty period is the period the car is covered for repairs, not each individual new component.

That said your clutch doesn’t sound properly fixed from last time. If it’s grinding while you’re driving along that sounds more like the clutch plates, possibly the flywheel... not the bearing, so I wonder “what and whether” they replaced...

I’d be inclined to get the clutch and bearing fixed at a reputable garage for an impartial opinion what happened the first time. That might help you get a refund or some other compo’ from Fiat/Research.


Ralf S.
 
A dirty clutch plate can also be an issue with a relatively new car. It can be fixed easily just by keeping the car still with parking brake, and then raising revs to 1200 for 4 seconds with keeping clutch at its biting point carefully.

Maybe the previous owner had let his foot rest on the clutch pedal.
 
Back
Top