fiat 3ltr clutch shudder Forums

panda54

hi, when at the nec last week we spoke to the rep on the fiat stand and asked about the shudder problem with the clutch [he said he was responsible for the uk motorhome side ] according to him fiat are aware of this problem,was told there was a meeting last tuesday and fiat acknowledage there is indeed a problem with the 3ltr clutch, he assured fiat will sort this problem out as they are waiting to hear from italy, the man we spoke to was STEVE BARKER

Telbell

Hi Panda:- Very interesting!

Yes it's the old chestnut of "Reversing uphill" as well I think. Have a look at

geraldandannie · Moderator

Interesting information, panda. Thank you.

geraldandannie · Moderator

And there's (a little bit of) information on the FIat forum too:

Telbell

Thanks Gerald-

It's nice to know we are "one of the top two Forums"! Laughing

I'm still intrigued that, relative to say the "water ingress", the "shuddergate" issue does not seem to be high on the concern ratio of MHF-ers. May be this is because Andy Stothert first posted on OandA rather than MHF.

Also-we've heard from 2 seperate sources (3 if you include A.S.) that Fiat say it IS a design problem which they are investigating.

Yet Peter (JMC) has suggested a "driving technique" which does not cause judder and this is supported by others.

So-I'd like to hear from other MHF members especially those who have the 3litre x/250. Have you tried the "judder test"- reverse up a (roughly) 1 in 5 incline). If there is a burnt out clutch whcih may only be manifest outside warranty period then this could be expensive.

gm6vxb

I don't have the 3 Litre engine but the 2.3 Litre.
I can get the clutch judder (wrong term) described by others if I deliberately put on revs while trying to reverse up a slope. The judder is not coming from the clutch.
The problem is not the clutch but engine and gearbox mounts designed not to transmit noise to the sensitive ears of driver and passengers. To do this, the mounts are flexible and on mine appear to be assymetrical in that in forward motion the movement of engine and gearbox is not as great as when in reverse. Try parking on the same hill keep your hand on the gear lever and move forward, then try the same in reverse and see if you can feel the difference in movement
So if you give the engine loads of revs (well 1500-2000) and slowly let in the clutch in 1st gear the vehicle might judder a little but move forward. If you do the same in reverse then you get judder as the mounts torque up and then drop back to their original position.
At this point as there is judder most people seem to either give the engine more revs ( more judder and a burning clutch) or dip the clutch to stop the judder ( still slipping a bit and burning).
All I do is stop and restart and let the clutch fully bite and use as few revs as possible. Unless the slope is really steep the engine management will try to keep the engine at tickover speed, but obviously not on a really steep hill.
The problem is also not due to the gear ratios as first forward and reverse gear ratios are almost identical. Yes FIAT could fit a lower ratio but I am sure that there would be may jokes relating to Italian tanks during the last war.
So cure would be to fit an anti torque mount. Used to be fitted to performance cars to stop wheel tramp on 'power starts' from traffic lights.
If this is done, be prepared for 'deaf aid gate' as the mount will transmit noise into the cabin.
So the judder can be cured, but it could be said it is part caused by driver. Remember laughing at a learner driver doing kangaroo starts. Maybe this appies to us as well.
Martin,

cabby

I have to agree with Martin,considering the number of vans on the road now and the number of judder complaints, i would say it is more to do with style of driving.That being said am sure I will now get a torrent of adverse comments.

cabby

Chigman

Hi

I park mine on a slight incline and is reversed in.my problem is,I back onto my garage with a wall to the left if me with only inches to spare,so just cant use the torque of the engine to take me up the slope,I have to use clutch and throttle for a more precise approach and I do notice some slight judder.

steve

Telbell

Martin

A comprehensive reply-and you seem to have some techie know-how so thanks.

Would you be prepared to Post that reply on the out and about Forum in the appropriate place so as to give some balance and a view based on experience? if you don't already Post I think you need to register: