Clutch problem with Ducato 2.3

nitram

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Hi, we have a 7m motorhome with overcab on a 2009 Fiat Ducato 2.3, long wheelbase chassis. On our way to the Hereford rally yesterday we had a problem. My husband thinks it is the clutch gone as the clutch pedal slammed straight to the floor. It was about 4.30 pm so contacting garages was almost impossible or the ones we did could not handle a large vehicle or the large ramp is purely used for MOT. Today we have contacted a local garage near Balsall Common in Warwickshire and it sounded hopeful until he rang back to say he cannot get the parts because it is over 10 yrs old! Surely not! Any advice welcome. Thanks in advance for any help. We are not in anyway mechanics.
 
nitram said:
Hi, we have a 7m motorhome with overcab on a 2009 Fiat Ducato 2.3, long wheelbase chassis. On our way to the Hereford rally yesterday we had a problem. My husband thinks it is the clutch gone as the clutch pedal slammed straight to the floor. It was about 4.30 pm so contacting garages was almost impossible or the ones we did could not handle a large vehicle or the large ramp is purely used for MOT. Today we have contacted a local garage near Balsall Common in Warwickshire and it sounded hopeful until he rang back to say he cannot get the parts because it is over 10 yrs old! Surely not! Any advice welcome. Thanks in advance for any help. We are not in anyway mechanics.
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Just spoke to Chris and parts are available he said
If it is the slave cylinder I'm sure it's external and access from bottom of gearbox
 
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Pudsey Bear said:
Could be the slave cylinder, if you're lucky it might be the external type, mines an 07 no.problem with parts he just didn't want the job I think.
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Think you are about right it appears nobody wants the work. Our local Fiat HGV garage haven't even got a mechanic! Thanks for the reassurance.
The laird said:
Just spoke to Chris and parts are available he said
If it is the slave cylinder I'm sure it's external and access from bottom of gearbox
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Thanks so much for the help. I have looked at Coastal Motorhomes site. I couldn't believe parts would not be available. Just need to find a mechanic who is willing now. I think people are wary of having us deliver an undriveable motorhome to their site and they are stuck with it till it is fixed. I feel much happier now. Don't know how to know if it is a slave cylinder. A project I think.
 
If its the slave then a easy fix by anyone, if you know anyone who works on cars at home they could sort it very easy if its outside the box type.
Look first to make sure the clutch master cyl flued bottle is full or all leaked away, that will be the teltale.
 
trevskoda said:
If its the slave then a easy fix by anyone, if you know anyone who works on cars at home they could sort it very easy if its outside the box type.
Look first to make sure the clutch master cyl flued bottle is full or all leaked away, that will be the teltale.
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Thank you. You are all so kind.
 
Unfortunately your slave cylinder will be inside the gearbox, so it is going to need the gear box removed,
If fluid has got onto the clutch plate it is going to need a clutch too,
Parts for these are available from any motofactors
 
If the gearbox is coming out it is best practice to replace the disc, pressure plate etc anyway.
 
First check the pedal itself. We had the same issue with our 2001 2.8. The pedal is plastic and they're prone to snapping -- I've heard of two other cases. In my case, the Fiat part wasn't available and the garage ended up fitting a Peugeot or Citroen part (not sure which) and it took over a week to arrive. Good luck...
 
GeoffL said:
First check the pedal itself. We had the same issue with our 2001 2.8. The pedal is plastic and they're prone to snapping -- I've heard of two other cases. In my case, the Fiat part wasn't available and the garage ended up fitting a Peugeot or Citroen part (not sure which) and it took over a week to arrive. Good luck...
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Totally different 09 model, but all is possible.
 
Have you done an internet search on the problem? There have been quite a few discussions by people who had the same problem and you may find what causes this.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
Totally different 09 model, but all is possible.
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True... on reflection, if it has a master and slave cylinder, it won't be cable operated; like mine. A quick search returned several pages of problems with the hydraulic clutch system with varying symptoms. That said, if the OP's clutch goes to the floor with almost zero resistance, it sounds like massive fluid loss -- possibly a burst pipe or hose?
 
The union went on mine, external £125 all in with a new one.
 
nitram said:
Just need to find a mechanic who is willing now. I think people are wary of having us deliver an undriveable motorhome to their site and they are stuck with it till it is fixed.
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Have you looked for a mobile mechanic? You could also join the Fiat Owners Forum, they are all friendly and helpful on there.

Regards,
Del
 
There is a Ducato forum on FB that I belong to that might have someone who could offer sourcing ideas. One time I used Southern Motorhomes for my 05.
Hope you get it sorted
 
Same with my berlingo .thought it was slave/master cylinder..clutch staying down..turns out spring on clutch pedal needed a good spraying with wd ..sorted it.good luck
 
nitram said:
Thank you. You are all so kind.
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Well thanks for all your help and advice your interest kept me going when I was begining to despair. Lots of phoning around and internet searches and we have ended up finding a very large HGV garage only a few miles away in Coventry. The slave cylinder is inside the gear box on this model year so it seems to be a full job, gear box out and new 4 part clutch. Expensive because of the hours of labour. The upside is they can do it next week. We had been quoted middle to end of June by several other garages. Sorry to have missed everyone at Hereford but at least now we should be at Burton Bradstock. Thanks Jean
 
Sorry its not external, but on the plus side you'll never have to do it again.

Hopefully.
 
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