SMART Car engine rebuild
Discussion
Ok, not sure this is the correct place, but I can't see a SMART specific area on here. I have just acquired a dead SMART Roadster. It will need a new engine as it's done 80k !! (This seems quite good for a SMART).
Has anyone here got experience of this, either DIY or PSE (Pay Someone Else) ?
I'm looking for either a good recommendation of a SMART indie to replace it, or someone who can tell us how to drop the engine out of the car without breaking the many plastic bits that seem to make a SMART roadster !
And much as the bike engined swap is tempting the £7k conversion price is not !
Thank you
Has anyone here got experience of this, either DIY or PSE (Pay Someone Else) ?
I'm looking for either a good recommendation of a SMART indie to replace it, or someone who can tell us how to drop the engine out of the car without breaking the many plastic bits that seem to make a SMART roadster !
And much as the bike engined swap is tempting the £7k conversion price is not !
Thank you
Try S2smarts in Watford. http://www.s2smarts.co.uk/
Lots of smart info here: http://www.evilution.co.uk/
And here: http://www.fq101.co.uk/
And a forum here: http://www.theroadster.net/trc/
Lots of smart info here: http://www.evilution.co.uk/
And here: http://www.fq101.co.uk/
And a forum here: http://www.theroadster.net/trc/
300bhp/ton said:
Try S2smarts in Watford. http://www.s2smarts.co.uk/
Lots of smart info here: http://www.evilution.co.uk/
And here: http://www.fq101.co.uk/
And a forum here: http://www.theroadster.net/trc/
Thank you, I've looked at most of those, although didn't know of the Watford one. There is a lot of info re the SMART, but as yet no guide that I can find for pulling an engine out !Lots of smart info here: http://www.evilution.co.uk/
And here: http://www.fq101.co.uk/
And a forum here: http://www.theroadster.net/trc/
Once you've sorted the engine out make sure you waterproof the body control unit (just above the throttle pedal) The roadster is renown for taking on water in that area and shorting out the unit which can be expensive to replace as all the ones in the breakers have been snapped up or water damaged.
NiceCupOfTea said:
Who is "they"? A friend of mine has run a succession of them to well over 100k miles...
The indie I had mine serviced at recently told me 60k ish for a 4-2, but the roadster seems to last much longer. They buy Smarts with blown engines, fit reconditioned engines and sell then on so should have a reasonable idea on this. NiceCupOfTea said:
rswift said:
Apparently .... they reckon 60k is about average !
Who is "they"? A friend of mine has run a succession of them to well over 100k miles...One of the issues on early cars is a poorly designed manifold, which cracks, leading to the wrong mixture readings, overfuel-ing and ultimately burnt out valves. The other is the oils control rings seem to be an issue, hence quite a few smoky ones around.
I think a well maintained one, by a garage who knows them .... which would appear not to be the Mercedes/SMART franchise, and early signs of the above spotted and rectified, then you could be fine.
However, the target market of these cars was supposed to be a cheap & cheerful runabout ... and a dare say quite a few have not been enthusiastically maintained.
I had an original 1998 LHD car, ran a treat, correct oil & frequently changed etc etc. Dropped a valve without any warning on the outskirts of Cannes .... must have been the trying to do Calais to Nice in one go that it didn't like ! (was doing about 70MPG until it died) !
I bought one a few years ago, I loved the car but they are a bit fragile,
Your best bet is to join the roadster net and someone who will put you in the right direction.
There is a guy known in smart circles who has a fantastic name and he takes your car and brings it back with a fully rebuilt engine for £800 but I can't remember his name but if you ask about on the roadster net some one will point you in the right direction.
If you have aircon on your roadster I bet it doesnt work also check the clutch as they are known to go and of course check for leaks more leaks and did I say leaks.
And make sure your Sam unit is ok.
Your best bet is to join the roadster net and someone who will put you in the right direction.
There is a guy known in smart circles who has a fantastic name and he takes your car and brings it back with a fully rebuilt engine for £800 but I can't remember his name but if you ask about on the roadster net some one will point you in the right direction.
If you have aircon on your roadster I bet it doesnt work also check the clutch as they are known to go and of course check for leaks more leaks and did I say leaks.
And make sure your Sam unit is ok.
Toltec said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
Who is "they"? A friend of mine has run a succession of them to well over 100k miles...
The indie I had mine serviced at recently told me 60k ish for a 4-2, but the roadster seems to last much longer. They buy Smarts with blown engines, fit reconditioned engines and sell then on so should have a reasonable idea on this. Which Indie BTW, just ringing around for quotes. Thanks
Riley Blue said:
rswift said:
Apparently .... they reckon 60k is about average !
Not really so 'smart' then. Any modern engine should be able to achieve much more than that without a rebuild.Its always cylinder number 3 that is worst, the problem with these cars is they have a very small sump and once the engine start to burn oil it will run out of oil quite quickly - and the owners fail to keep them topped up with enough oil. Not surprising as even just topping a smart up with oil is a pain to do thanks to the stupid design.
The cheapest people I've found can do it without removing the engine (ie if your engine is salvagable and can be rebuilt easily with new rings/hone block etc) call Mark on 0771 122 4567.
They come and collect and return once job done, never had any problems with their work.
http://www.fudgesmart.co.uk/
If your engine has blown its self apart you will need to find a replacment there are a few people on ebay try chequered flag, there is also a volvo specialist on ebay who rebuilds them with a warranty;
http://www.chequeredflaguk.co.uk/40-services.htm
Vince70 said:
I bought one a few years ago, I loved the car but they are a bit fragile,
Your best bet is to join the roadster net and someone who will put you in the right direction.
There is a guy known in smart circles who has a fantastic name and he takes your car and brings it back with a fully rebuilt engine for £800 but I can't remember his name but if you ask about on the roadster net some one will point you in the right direction.
If you have aircon on your roadster I bet it doesnt work also check the clutch as they are known to go and of course check for leaks more leaks and did I say leaks.
And make sure your Sam unit is ok.
Thank you, that might be FUDGESMART (!) someone just sent me a PM with his info....Your best bet is to join the roadster net and someone who will put you in the right direction.
There is a guy known in smart circles who has a fantastic name and he takes your car and brings it back with a fully rebuilt engine for £800 but I can't remember his name but if you ask about on the roadster net some one will point you in the right direction.
If you have aircon on your roadster I bet it doesnt work also check the clutch as they are known to go and of course check for leaks more leaks and did I say leaks.
And make sure your Sam unit is ok.
I just read the leak list !. No wet carpets, phew .... but I know this car has lived outside most of it's life, so this is good advice, thank you.
Toltec said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
Who is "they"? A friend of mine has run a succession of them to well over 100k miles...
The indie I had mine serviced at recently told me 60k ish for a 4-2, but the roadster seems to last much longer. They buy Smarts with blown engines, fit reconditioned engines and sell then on so should have a reasonable idea on this. Try www.smartcarspecialist.com if its good enough for Ron Dennis....
ilovevolvo said:
Try www.smartcarspecialist.com if its good enough for Ron Dennis....
Thank you, they're not cheap !698cc engine 12 month 12k mile warranty fully fitted inc. new turbocharger unit £ 2,358.62 ..... (thats the recon unit, they do a new engine for about double the price) !
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