need help on veleo transmission

Hi Moyez,

I don't know how tall you are or if you plan on having additional people in the car but I found the later model Ts to be a bit small on the inside with the combination of the knee bolsters and rear belt tension box. (It was much more difficult for my kids to get belted up with that there as well as the inevitable "pull dad's seatbelt" routine. Also, the automatic belts don't hold you in place all that well. When my 92 was totaled, I specifically sought out an 89 so I could avoid all of the NHTSA "ideas" on safety. The interior is definitely more usable without those pieces. (I do use my car as a daily driver...so this may not be a concern.)

As for the Valeo, I drove one before I purchased my 92 and it just felt weird. Not wrong, just weird but I suspect the owners of these got over that in a few days. My concern would be that the parts for that have to be reaching "made from unobtainium" status. Also, anything electrical on the Mondial needs to be "looked after" as I would assume just about anything 15 years old would...having more things like a clutch accuator would not put me at ease.

Certainly a clean looking car. I have never seen headrests with speakers in them on a T but they may have been stock. Anyone?

Best of luck with the purcahse...there are a lot of Mondial T folks up here on the board willing to answer questions.

- JMG

 

Seek out Hank Garfield, here on Fchat. He has a Mondial t with a Valeo tranny (aka Rachel). He's super easy to talk with, and I'm sure he can provide some good advice.

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/member.php?u=4441

 

Well shucks Daniel - thanks for the really flattering words. As regards our man's quest for a Mondial t - As for Miss Valeo, hey, I live in Los Angeles and I drive freeways unless I'm going to Trader Joe's for some cheap a$$ Napa Valley wine for $3.99 ea. - - - and it's good too!!! - and around the block too. Sorry, what was the question - ahhh, got it. The Valeo system is SO - NOT UNDERSTOOD!!! It truly is, "throw your shift like you always do" - - period! Forget the left foot. Let it do a dance if it wants to. IT'S AMAZING!! Rachel is NOT FOR SALE - so find your own. These Mondials are quite something, be they Valeo or not! By the way, Rachel served as my delivery truck last week - 103 degrees outside, top up, climbing hills, AC humming like Miles Davis I'm constantly amazed!~!

Cheers, Hank

 

I have a 1993 Mondial t with Valeo. Before buying I have only driven the "standard", and now I own one with Valeo. I love it and think that it is just amazing how fast you can shift gears once you get used to it. It did take me a few days to really get the hang of it. But it is so much easier without the clutch, (especially in traffic) without losing the joy of a manual shift. I think purists would argue that this is not as "real" as the manual shift, they are right, but I think it is better. I love it. As for the "unoptainium" issue of repairs, the clutch is the same as the manual, it is just controlled by this electronic Valeo system. Valeo has been used on Mustangs, Saabs, and other more common makes and models. There is documentation specifically for this system, any mechanic familiar with the "standard" clutch gear box system, would be able to repair it. The previous owner had the clutch redone and it was close to the same price as having the "standard" clutch redone.

Good Luck with your decision.


Hope this helps

 

Questions for you Valeo drivers:

Is it possible to stall the Valeo?

How does it work on hills with clutch wear?

When coming to a stop, do you just put it in neutral?

When downshifting do you put it in neutral and blip the throttle before selecting a gear or just select a gear?

How does it handle downshifts?

 

Glad to hear that the reliability is fine with the Valeo...I was not not trying to suggest it wasn't...just another T-brother's thoughts.

Whatever car you find, a couple of other things to look for...
- make sure the snaps on the tonneau cover are good (three internal prongs...prone to failure...replacable at dealerships...)

- See if the spare is available...this was an option and occasionally, the car is sold without and then it gets listed on ebay.

- Check the solenoids for the trunk, engine, gas flap and hood. These are expensive to replace but they all have manual overrides.

- Don't spend 2 hours trying to figure out why the trunk lights do not work. (like me...) They work when the lights are on...

- make sure the service is up to date. Not just the bay ad but look at the receipts.

- get a PPI. I have seen cars where the 30k service was reported yet it was pretty eay to see that the factory bolts were never turned and the engine dropeed.

- Check the body where the gas flap opens...some of these can be opened enough to dent or nick the paint here.

- Check the operation of the rear windows. Somewhat expensive but most importantly, a pain to replace.

- Check the operation of the fans. The heat-switch in the bottom of the radiator tends to go bad. (I have done 3 on 2 cars...)

- if you are going to drive it in the rain (hey...I live in the Northwest.) See what leaks you have in the roof. Some leak a lot...most leak a little. This is easy to fix with the right replacement gaskets etc. Mine is now leak-free...as was my 92 but it required some work. I would also suggest picking up the BMW convertible roof treatment. Helps with the overlal waterproofing and beads the water off the roof.

- check the B pillar trim pieces. These get cracked if a rear window is raised while the roof is down. Pricey but easy to replace.

- check the mouse belt on the driver's side. Those pictures are small but it appears as though it is by the back of the seat now...it should be up by the dash when the door is opened. (Notice the door open passenger side picture...the mouse belt is up by the dash...)

- JMG

 

Best of luck Moyez!

It looks like a great car. I hope the PPI comes out alright!

 

I've not stalled her yet.

I would use the brake to prevent rollback while getting going uphill in 1st.

I move the lever through neutral while blipping the gas and then continue to the lower gear. It's quite fast.

Downshifts are fast, easy and very smooth.

The Valeo system is quite the cat's meow. I love the fact that I have the best of both worlds. I fell in love with it the first time traffic came to a stop on the freeway. Mind you, I bought my Mondial without ever having tried the Valeo system. Prior to purchase, the negative vibe seemed to come from people with no Valeo experience while those that had owned or driven these cars seemed to be quite enamored with them.

Moyez, please keep us posted on how your search goes and also what your driving experiences are if and when you drive that Valeo car.

Cheers, Hank

 

Thank you for that input!

 

Rachel says "Hi" to Alissa & Sophia.

 

Alissa is too busy coughing up oil to respond. Wonder what she was up to last night...

 

Jeez, I hope its nothing serious. You don't seem too alarmed - that's good. We like our girls feelin' good.

Moyez, what's up with the PPI?

 

Sophia honks "HI" in return.

 

Hank has answered the questions, I´m just going to add the experiences of another Valeo driver:


Is it possible to stall the Valeo?
-> I never stalled mine.


How does it work on hills with clutch wear?
-> At slow speeds as well as on hills the system is very smooth and sensible with regard to acceleration. It does somehow surprise me that it works that well given the simplicity of the design.


When coming to a stop, do you just put it in neutral?
-> You might as well put in the first gear .. .. as you like it.


When downshifting do you put it in neutral and blip the throttle before selecting a gear or just select a gear?
-> I normally blib the throttle (as I would with a standard clutch) to avoid the deceleration connected to downshifting ..


How does it handle downshifts?
-> Like a car with standard clutch.


The biggest advantage to me when I opted for the Valeo seemed to be safety: The footwell of the Mondial is very narrow and the brake and clutch pedals are very close together. With the Valeo comes a very big brake pedal that can´t be missed or confused with the clutch or gas pedal in a moment of nonattention.

As to the cost: I currently have to replace the clutch plate (at 75.000 km). Will report later whether there where any additional costs b/c of the Valeo.

 

Hey AR!,

Please keep us updated as to recommendations or procedures that your trusted mechanic may have made regarding getting a new clutch in your Valeo baby.

By the way, when one replaces a clutch in a Valeo car, is there some updated "common wisdom" that directs us to installing a single plate - - or a double plate clutch? Those in the know, please offer your thoughts. I'm doing my homework for future issues since that day will surely arrive. So, what did losing a clutch operated by Miss. Valeo, feel like? What does it do to let you know "we're almost finished"?

Cheers, Hank

 

Simple: The clutch warning light turned on ;-)

As to the procedure for changing the clutch: From the SPM it seems that the process is pretty much the same as with the regular clutch.

 

Hi gang,

A tip from Eugenio---------Just because we don't have to push the clutch pedal with our Valeo system, that doesn't mean that the
T.O. bearing isn't working (and wearing out) while you're in gear.

So, while waiting for the light to change, keep her in neutral so only the engine is spinning

Cheers, Hank