That's excellent news on the air conditioning. Mine wasn't working when I got my car. It seems that many don't work as the system won't hold pressure after about eight years. The aluminium heat exchanger is right at the front, low down so it gets hit by all the road salt and dissolves faster than a Disprin. Getting hold of a part was the most expensive portion of the job as no one seemed to have one, but the whole front had to come off to get at it. The car having such a small interior, it can get quite humid inside even on a cold day, so it is nice to have the AC just to pull out the moisture.
Optional rev-counter and clock was an option on the cabrio - I've owned 2 and both had them. Def recommend biting the bullet and fit a new alternator (£150). Once it has seized once it will keep happening if stands unused for a week or so in damp weather. And, yes, sump plug is an after-market mod and a very good one. As standard oil is sucked out with a pump which can never remove all the sludge from the bottom of the sump. Re the air-con, I'd recommend always keeping it at least on the first setting even with the heater on. This will prevent the a/c pump failing. A/c pumps don't like not being used regularly (all cars, not just Smarts).
Once the alternator seizes it will happen again if the car sits for a couple of weeks so just fit a new one along with a starter motor. It's awkward but techniclly simple to lower the engine to gain access. I lowered mine without the long bolts but I left the nearside rear wheel on and lowered it until it touched the ground and used stands to prop it all up. You only remove the rear mounting bolts and the whole thing swivels down on the front mounting. Take off the rear wings/bumper 6 screws if I remember and that gives you access to the X frame and the rear mountings. It only swivels down app 4 inches but that is enough to get access to the top of the engine and starter/alternator. If the car is road legal don't waste it and sort it ASAP rather than the others and you will get the most out of the soft top.
Definitely not backwards. You have confirmed the starter is duff and alternator really needs changing. You have achieved confimation. Given it a run, working air con win win. You did well with the Dihatsu, 75 and PT. I'll be mega impressed if you get the smart sorted. Plus plenty info from now to swot up on. In-between.
If you have issues with moisture inside cars that sit unused for a while, get an old pillowcase (or a new cheap one) and buy some of the silica crystals kitty litter. Empty the kitty littler into the pillowcase, tie it off and put it into one of the footwells. Essentially what you are making is a giant version of those little silica gel packs, that will keep the air inside the vehicle nice and dry.
Get yourself the service bolts and drop it into the service pos'n, if anything like the Roady, you'll need to remove the air scoop off the intercooler to allow access to the fixing screws for the starter, obviously make sure you have the battery disconnected as the chance of sparks is high disconnecting both the alternator and the starter, when getting a replacement alternator make sure you get like for like part numbers, there can be issues with some spares that are supposed to be equivalent, good luck and don't give up on it.
Those vacuum oil extractors aren't that bad. Used one on my 2003 Seat Leon TDI for the last 10 years. You don't get sludgy bits with modern oil if it's changed regularly. If there is "sludgy bits" in the sump you're best taking the sump off and cleaning it since a simple oil change isn't going to fix the problem 😊
Blimey I could store about 15 of these in my garage i know they can have lots of issues but I still love the look of them and practical for a guy like me that only does town driving due to my health great video cheers Stephen ✌️✌️
Between this and the Fiat content I'm thrilled! Having owned some mid and rear engined cars I'm always amazed by how much corrosion they suffer in the engine bays. This one was probably just sitting a bit too long. My 2013 smart is US spec and so much fun to drive with its manual steering. Yes, the engine compartment can corrode, but the thing will look like new forever because of those plastic body panels!
One point to note on the lack of sump plug on the 450 models. If the correct specification of engine oil is used and is changed regularly, there shouldn't be any sludge in the bottom of the sump pan. I know this because my smart fortwo after many years had done over 100K miles when the sump was quite rusty in places and on the verge of becoming porous. Upon removal of the old sump there was not a single piece of sludge or anything that shouldn't have been there. Service your car properly and never scrimp on oil.
I passed you [in the opposite direction] on Thursday and you were both in Ellie. I was in a big red pickup and there were two other pickups not far in front of me in the same convoy. My brother in a grey one and our fabulous vet in a green/puke-like Mitsubishi. Off to do some ultrasound pregnancy tests. As an aside, I had to have a new alternator on a 2litre diesel machine up at Maenygroes this very morning. A generic replacement not genuine due to the genuine parts being an absolutely ridiculous price from New Holland Industrial.
The clock and rev counter were optional extras on the 06 plate. 04 plates they came as standard. My wife owned an 04 in numeric blue. We now have a 61 plate and it's lovely but not as fuel efficient. Great news for you having a sump bolt,that's a fantastic mod
Hello, I´ve been exactly in the same situation as you. I ended up replacing the starter motor with a refurbished one and a second hand alternator. I just dropped the engine a few inches to have access to the started motor, but you have to also undo the cooling hoses to get to it. A bit of a hassle but can be done with pacience.
Progress is still progress. These earlier smarts are definitely classic material and despite the oddball handling, they have a quirky charm. Much like many other micro cars of the past. My Dad has had them for the past decade and loves them. His most recent one is a black convertible and has been loaned to me on many occasions. Because it's black and the roof goes down I affectionately call it "The Wheelie Bin" 😂. I do really love it though 😉.
First generation Smart FourTwo had diesel engines that could not meet the emission standards in the US. They were only sold in Canada. The problem is that any first generation Smart cannot be serviced in the US. They used a special suction tube down the oil dipstick that is absolutely necessary to change the oil.
It's interesting to see you struggle with different old cars😊❤ the weather is typical April.. i've seen hailstones in May. I think it's because our winters are quite long and wet that we get fed up with it.. don't worry, it's spring😊😂😂 Summer will start when it's ready, we're spoiled with the sushine on TV...😆😅😂😂😂🤣🤣 great to see you moving along with cars.. I understand the constraints of low budget hubnuttery yet you need some comfort in a proper dry shed.. We're not getting any younger, so why struggle? ❤😉😇😊 best wishes P....
One certainty through the history of car manufacture is that they've got harder and harder to work on. Compare a Smart with an Issigonis Mini. Compare the Mini with a 1920's Austin 7.
From my limited experience, once an alternator has seized or partially seized, it is game over, had this on a Toyota and a Proton. Good luck with it though. If you drop the subframe and engine, put it in TWC. No? 😂
At least you give it a go Ian but the not so smart just obviously didn’t want to go out into that lousy weather Looks like your winter won’t Let go and neither will our summer let go 👍👍🇦🇺
The joy of Smart repairs. I had the same model, it sat a while then the alternator siezed just like yours. I had to replace it! What a job. The starter was OK though. Oh and yeah, mine did not have the sump nut, I had to suck the oil out the dipstick hole. Good luck with the repairs. I will show you what happened to mine when I left the tire weld on the dash on a sunny day.
When the alternator is connected, the tension is too much for the bearings. They - the bearings - must be in need of changing. The starter motor is probably good. Some purchase may be achieved by slackening the belt but, the bearings, if they are worn, will win in the end.
Ian, Here's a thought. Now that you've freed it up, the alternator appears to rotate Ok statically. I wonder if part of the problem is that it becomes too stiff for the starter to manage when the magnetic coils are energized? I mean, the starter may be toast at this point, so it may be moot. But what if you could start and run the engine without the alternator coils being energized, and *then* energize the coils while the engine is already running and the alternator is turning? There's probably a fuse that feeds the alternator coils that you could take out, then put it back in when the engine is running.
Have you also checked the other things that are run off that belt? Like the water pump, a tensioner/idler pulley, etc.? It looked like the alternator was loose enough that it shouldn't have completely balked the starter like that, which makes me think something else might be to blame...
The earth lead thing is not unusual problem and a simple cheap fix. You can change the Starter motor without dropping the subframe very far down. A bit of a faf so worth checking all else first.
That alternator/starter motor combination seems to be a recurring theme with Smarts. As the joke goes, 'When you buy a Smart, the only thing that smarts is your wallet.'
Have you not tried a jump pack on as well because with all those starts you might have weakened the battery ? New batteries don’t normally come fully charged? Just a thought ?
Don't forget to check for a bad connection to the Starter Motor Solenoid or bad grounds 1st because it did struggle when you tried after replacing the Battery, also with no Alternator maybe the battery is low now. Good Luck 👍 👍🤞🤞🤞
Yes worth checking, though that battery has barely done any starting yet and the car ran only a few moments so should still be good for now, though I do hope Ian looks after this one with some SMART (ahah!) charger love as he has a habit of letting them go dead which kills them fast. I'd hate to see that when he's splashed on a brand new battery. If you have a fleet of batteries you want to be regularly hooking them up to a smart charger to keep them tip/top, perhaps on a rotating basis each time he visits the lockup.
My mate sold a smart car and offered to reverse it off his drive as it was tight but the lady refused his kind offer and scraped all the side on his dry stone wall What a shame as the car was immaculate.
Sounds like the starter motor failing was fairly inevitable and not through anything you fid wrong. I think you should invite Jon Coupland's dad through to help. Im sure he'd happily adventure over to Wales with either his bike or trusty 406 for the chance to work on a Smart
Thinking about your damp interior: I wonder if there's any mileage in using one of those enclosed tubular heaters used for conservatories and airing cupboards inside the car to heat the interior gently?
I would love a Smart if they weren't held together with superglue and bailing wire. By FAR the most consistently unreliable car I've ever had extensive experience with.
Didi you bother to check out the charged state of your new battery? Also should overnight slow charge it. In your attempt you've repeatedly heavily discharged an unknown condition battery, you'll be lucky if it isn't damaged.
After seeing how difficulty is was for Messrs Coupland Jnr & Snr have had repairing theirs, I suspect this one is going to slide quite a long way down the priority list.
Had the same problem with mine i freed off the alternator best i could and stuck a transit battery on it cos i found the original small battery wasnt strong enough the transit battery swung it over and got it started
Are new alternators pricey? Do they refurbish them? Is it worth even bothering with a used one? I don't suppose you'd want to pay out too much too soon!!?
Starter is under the inlet, quite easily removed. Have to take both upper engine mount bolts off and undo the four subframe bolts that attach to the rear chassis rails. Subframe can then just dangle maybe 30mm lower without being fully removed which allows the engine to drop enough on a trolley jack to allow the inlet to be removed from the engine compartment from above
It's a shame things aren't going well for Smarty. Is it possible to push start it to give the alternator a good spin and free it off more? Or does the semi-automatic gearbox not allow push starting.
With everything being so tightly packed, I assume getting the engine out will make everything quicker. I can imagine that it's just a four-bolt-job - plus a dozen connectors or so.
Have you considered putting the wheels back on and simply bump starting the car to start the engine?? Now that Mrs Hub Nut can drive, you have someone to steer the car whilst you push.
Always fancied a Smart, took a truck from work into a local dealer and had one as a courtesy car,wast impressed, steering was so heavy,but went like poo offa stick!
If you strip that alternator you'll free it up and itll cost you nothing. If you get it on your bench and spin it up with a drill and lube it that may be enough! You may get lucky on the starter as well changing the brush pack
@@HubNutFair play, but in my country is cheaper to get 9000 euros 1 (one )year old Dacia on 10ooo km with more 4 years warranty that burns 5 euros LPG for 100 km and to be Euro 6 compliance certificate than to run burning oil banger that always requires parts ,labour, vehicle inspection and a lot of time money , afforts and frustrating experience that sooner or later brings to scrap yard.
Are you aware of this? The only surviving Dukedog, 9017, The Earl of Berkeley is at present in the Rheidol Museum at Aberystwyth. My brother is & he is planing to visit. I cannot visit it. You can & I know you are into these engines.
Great vlog guys but that shed is getting full of none running cars time to clear out and get yourselves a couple of cars that run, that Smart car in my eyes is a load of junk no wonder he give it away sorry 🙄
Looking at the state of the subframe I would drop it and do the job properly - little Ms HubNut deserves something reliable and SAFE !
That's excellent news on the air conditioning. Mine wasn't working when I got my car. It seems that many don't work as the system won't hold pressure after about eight years. The aluminium heat exchanger is right at the front, low down so it gets hit by all the road salt and dissolves faster than a Disprin. Getting hold of a part was the most expensive portion of the job as no one seemed to have one, but the whole front had to come off to get at it.
The car having such a small interior, it can get quite humid inside even on a cold day, so it is nice to have the AC just to pull out the moisture.
Optional rev-counter and clock was an option on the cabrio - I've owned 2 and both had them. Def recommend biting the bullet and fit a new alternator (£150). Once it has seized once it will keep happening if stands unused for a week or so in damp weather. And, yes, sump plug is an after-market mod and a very good one. As standard oil is sucked out with a pump which can never remove all the sludge from the bottom of the sump. Re the air-con, I'd recommend always keeping it at least on the first setting even with the heater on. This will prevent the a/c pump failing. A/c pumps don't like not being used regularly (all cars, not just Smarts).
Once the alternator seizes it will happen again if the car sits for a couple of weeks so just fit a new one along with a starter motor.
It's awkward but techniclly simple to lower the engine to gain access.
I lowered mine without the long bolts but I left the nearside rear wheel on and lowered it until it touched the ground and used stands to prop it all up.
You only remove the rear mounting bolts and the whole thing swivels down on the front mounting. Take off the rear wings/bumper 6 screws if I remember and that gives you access to the X frame and the rear mountings. It only swivels down app 4 inches but that is enough to get access to the top of the engine and starter/alternator.
If the car is road legal don't waste it and sort it ASAP rather than the others and you will get the most out of the soft top.
A funky little car! Hopefully you can get this one going as a regular on the fleet! Jon Coupland is your man to go to for info!
His smart is slightly better lol.this is scrap 😂
Definitely not backwards. You have confirmed the starter is duff and alternator really needs changing. You have achieved confimation. Given it a run, working air con win win.
You did well with the Dihatsu, 75 and PT. I'll be mega impressed if you get the smart sorted. Plus plenty info from now to swot up on. In-between.
I'm swotting up on smarts thanks to you 😀
If you have issues with moisture inside cars that sit unused for a while, get an old pillowcase (or a new cheap one) and buy some of the silica crystals kitty litter. Empty the kitty littler into the pillowcase, tie it off and put it into one of the footwells.
Essentially what you are making is a giant version of those little silica gel packs, that will keep the air inside the vehicle nice and dry.
Get yourself the service bolts and drop it into the service pos'n, if anything like the Roady, you'll need to remove the air scoop off the intercooler to allow access to the fixing screws for the starter, obviously make sure you have the battery disconnected as the chance of sparks is high disconnecting both the alternator and the starter, when getting a replacement alternator make sure you get like for like part numbers, there can be issues with some spares that are supposed to be equivalent, good luck and don't give up on it.
Those vacuum oil extractors aren't that bad. Used one on my 2003 Seat Leon TDI for the last 10 years. You don't get sludgy bits with modern oil if it's changed regularly. If there is "sludgy bits" in the sump you're best taking the sump off and cleaning it since a simple oil change isn't going to fix the problem 😊
Blimey I could store about 15 of these in my garage i know they can have lots of issues but I still love the look of them and practical for a guy like me that only does town driving due to my health great video cheers Stephen ✌️✌️
Neglect is a hard thing to correct.
It’s a tiny package which makes everything so tight.
You’ll get there.
I reckon we'll see you yet on a hot June afternoon, roof down,scooting about in the smart.
Hi Ian great video, just got back to London from borth. Had a great time seeing my son in uni.
All the best to you and your family
Since you have to replace the starter motor anyway, might as well replace the alternator with a new one while you have the motor out.
Yup.
It will be worth all the effort in the end Ian. I have had my Fortwo Cabriolet for 6 years and absolutely love it.
Between this and the Fiat content I'm thrilled! Having owned some mid and rear engined cars I'm always amazed by how much corrosion they suffer in the engine bays. This one was probably just sitting a bit too long. My 2013 smart is US spec and so much fun to drive with its manual steering. Yes, the engine compartment can corrode, but the thing will look like new forever because of those plastic body panels!
One point to note on the lack of sump plug on the 450 models. If the correct specification of engine oil is used and is changed regularly, there shouldn't be any sludge in the bottom of the sump pan. I know this because my smart fortwo after many years had done over 100K miles when the sump was quite rusty in places and on the verge of becoming porous. Upon removal of the old sump there was not a single piece of sludge or anything that shouldn't have been there. Service your car properly and never scrimp on oil.
Absolutely brilliant video Ian miss hubnut ❤👍 at least you know it's the alternator and nothing more serious well done Ian brilliant
I passed you [in the opposite direction] on Thursday and you were both in Ellie. I was in a big red pickup and there were two other pickups not far in front of me in the same convoy. My brother in a grey one and our fabulous vet in a green/puke-like Mitsubishi. Off to do some ultrasound pregnancy tests. As an aside, I had to have a new alternator on a 2litre diesel machine up at Maenygroes this very morning. A generic replacement not genuine due to the genuine parts being an absolutely ridiculous price from New Holland Industrial.
The clock and rev counter were optional extras on the 06 plate. 04 plates they came as standard. My wife owned an 04 in numeric blue. We now have a 61 plate and it's lovely but not as fuel efficient. Great news for you having a sump bolt,that's a fantastic mod
You're gonna love changing that starter motor!!
Rev counter and clock were both optional little pods on top of the dash either side of the hazard light switch
I had mine a year. It had 2 starter motors in that time. You can rock them in first to free it up like you can in a manual.
Will this be Miss Hubnut's car once road worthy again? Those are so easy to drive in town... and they get great fuel economy.
Plan is for it to take miles off the Charade, which gets a lot of use from both of us.
Hello, I´ve been exactly in the same situation as you. I ended up replacing the starter motor with a refurbished one and a second hand alternator. I just dropped the engine a few inches to have access to the started motor, but you have to also undo the cooling hoses to get to it. A bit of a hassle but can be done with pacience.
Progress is still progress. These earlier smarts are definitely classic material and despite the oddball handling, they have a quirky charm. Much like many other micro cars of the past. My Dad has had them for the past decade and loves them. His most recent one is a black convertible and has been loaned to me on many occasions. Because it's black and the roof goes down I affectionately call it "The Wheelie Bin" 😂. I do really love it though 😉.
A very Smart purchase. I hope she gives you both much fun. Love these bodging episodes.
In terms of less is more this car is the ultimate really. Love it. Its a keeper.
First generation Smart FourTwo had diesel engines that could not meet the emission standards in the US. They were only sold in Canada. The problem is that any first generation Smart cannot be serviced in the US. They used a special suction tube down the oil dipstick that is absolutely necessary to change the oil.
Always wear your best jumper when lying on the floor tinkering 😁👍🇮🇪
Hope things get sorted
Giselle & Mrs.Hubnut. Two special girls!
yeeeeees a video on the smart fourtwo 450!
I think you need to put that battery on charge, Ian. It won't have been charged since it was made.
I have since put it on charge but it was already over 75%.
Some bug-mesh on the wooden slats on the wall would help stop rain driving into the barn ?
Great job Ian 😊👍
It's interesting to see you struggle with different old cars😊❤ the weather is typical April.. i've seen hailstones in May. I think it's because our winters are quite long and wet that we get fed up with it.. don't worry, it's spring😊😂😂 Summer will start when it's ready, we're spoiled with the sushine on TV...😆😅😂😂😂🤣🤣 great to see you moving along with cars.. I understand the constraints of low budget hubnuttery yet you need some comfort in a proper dry shed.. We're not getting any younger, so why struggle? ❤😉😇😊 best wishes P....
When my car had a knackered alternator getting the jump leads on it got it going that extra bit of voltage and current got it to go.
One certainty through the history of car manufacture is that they've got harder and harder to work on.
Compare a Smart with an Issigonis Mini.
Compare the Mini with a 1920's Austin 7.
At least the Smart drove and difficult to work on and a bonus the air conditioning works lovely when summer eventually comes
That tiny little car is fighting you all the way. You will get there I am sure
From my limited experience, once an alternator has seized or partially seized, it is game over, had this on a Toyota and a Proton. Good luck with it though. If you drop the subframe and engine, put it in TWC. No? 😂
Yeah, the bearings in the alternator are bound to be damaged. I'd be amazed if it lasts.
Engine sounds great 👍
Mattress = Superb idea , my poor fubar'd knees are full of appreciation
At least you give it a go Ian but the not so smart just obviously didn’t want to go out into that lousy weather
Looks like your winter won’t Let go and neither will our summer let go 👍👍🇦🇺
The joy of Smart repairs. I had the same model, it sat a while then the alternator siezed just like yours. I had to replace it! What a job. The starter was OK though. Oh and yeah, mine did not have the sump nut, I had to suck the oil out the dipstick hole.
Good luck with the repairs.
I will show you what happened to mine when I left the tire weld on the dash on a sunny day.
same problem I have had...gave up six months ago ..interested in how you get on.
When the alternator is connected, the tension is too much for the bearings. They - the bearings - must be in need of changing. The starter motor is probably good. Some purchase may be achieved by slackening the belt but, the bearings, if they are worn, will win in the end.
Ian,
Here's a thought. Now that you've freed it up, the alternator appears to rotate Ok statically. I wonder if part of the problem is that it becomes too stiff for the starter to manage when the magnetic coils are energized?
I mean, the starter may be toast at this point, so it may be moot. But what if you could start and run the engine without the alternator coils being energized, and *then* energize the coils while the engine is already running and the alternator is turning? There's probably a fuse that feeds the alternator coils that you could take out, then put it back in when the engine is running.
Have you also checked the other things that are run off that belt? Like the water pump, a tensioner/idler pulley, etc.? It looked like the alternator was loose enough that it shouldn't have completely balked the starter like that, which makes me think something else might be to blame...
Good thinking but with the belt on, I can turn it easily enough by hand.
The earth lead thing is not unusual problem and a simple cheap fix.
You can change the Starter motor without dropping the subframe very far down. A bit of a faf so worth checking all else first.
Glad to see the ring spanner and penetrating fluid freed it off.
Problem is it's probably washed out any grease that was in there
Ian , @DriveLife , RUclips channel , the secret method to push start a Smart .... it may just free it up and save you some work 🤞
Have you made sure the main engine to chassis earth lead is ok?
That alternator/starter motor combination seems to be a recurring theme with Smarts. As the joke goes, 'When you buy a Smart, the only thing that smarts is your wallet.'
Have you checked the engine ground cable yet? It's very sluggish without the belt on, there is clearly something wrong.
Have you not tried a jump pack on as well because with all those starts you might have weakened the battery ? New batteries don’t normally come fully charged? Just a thought ?
Ian, Maybe a push start would be in order. This way you can get it moving and should sort everything out... Unless its automatic!
They can be tow started and they are automatic but they are a manual box with a clutch and basically they change gears for you with actuators.
Was that Jon Couplans orange one you were watching and seeing all the surface rust?
Don't forget to check for a bad connection to the Starter Motor Solenoid or bad grounds 1st because it did struggle when you tried after replacing the Battery, also with no Alternator maybe the battery is low now.
Good Luck 👍 👍🤞🤞🤞
Yes worth checking, though that battery has barely done any starting yet and the car ran only a few moments so should still be good for now, though I do hope Ian looks after this one with some SMART (ahah!) charger love as he has a habit of letting them go dead which kills them fast. I'd hate to see that when he's splashed on a brand new battery. If you have a fleet of batteries you want to be regularly hooking them up to a smart charger to keep them tip/top, perhaps on a rotating basis each time he visits the lockup.
My mate sold a smart car and offered to reverse it off his drive as it was tight but the lady refused his kind offer and scraped all the side on his dry stone wall What a shame as the car was immaculate.
Sounds like the starter motor failing was fairly inevitable and not through anything you fid wrong. I think you should invite Jon Coupland's dad through to help. Im sure he'd happily adventure over to Wales with either his bike or trusty 406 for the chance to work on a Smart
Thanks hubnut another great video but possibly some over exposure of the mullet😮
Thinking about your damp interior: I wonder if there's any mileage in using one of those enclosed tubular heaters used for conservatories and airing cupboards inside the car to heat the interior gently?
Air con ! You are spoiled. Hope it comes in handy in the summer ?. You just love working on alternators 😢
You sure the battery isn't just flat? A few cranks will discharge it pretty quick, and it was running for a while without chargeing?
I would love a Smart if they weren't held together with superglue and bailing wire. By FAR the most consistently unreliable car I've ever had extensive experience with.
Didi you bother to check out the charged state of your new battery? Also should overnight slow charge it. In your attempt you've repeatedly heavily discharged an unknown condition battery, you'll be lucky if it isn't damaged.
After seeing how difficulty is was for Messrs Coupland Jnr & Snr have had repairing theirs, I suspect this one is going to slide quite a long way down the priority list.
Had the same problem with mine i freed off the alternator best i could and stuck a transit battery on it cos i found the original small battery wasnt strong enough the transit battery swung it over and got it started
When they first came out I drove one all over southern England. 100's of miles everyday.
Brilliant little car. Fast (for a 600cc) and comfortable.
My old boss used to import them
Are new alternators pricey? Do they refurbish them? Is it worth even bothering with a used one? I don't suppose you'd want to pay out too much too soon!!?
I need a mattress for when I'm working on my car!
A little move for a Smart, a big move for Hubnut... 😂😂😂
Just swapped starter and alternator on my friends new shape twingo which shares the smart platform. No a dreadful job by any means
Starter is under the inlet, quite easily removed. Have to take both upper engine mount bolts off and undo the four subframe bolts that attach to the rear chassis rails. Subframe can then just dangle maybe 30mm lower without being fully removed which allows the engine to drop enough on a trolley jack to allow the inlet to be removed from the engine compartment from above
You probably know this now but it did sound more like a engine earth strap or starter cable has either come lose or burnt off completely!
It's a shame things aren't going well for Smarty. Is it possible to push start it to give the alternator a good spin and free it off more? Or does the semi-automatic gearbox not allow push starting.
Apparently you can bump start them.
A new saying BECAUSE SMART
Sorry Ian , bit I have faith that you'll succeed,,,,,,eventually
With everything being so tightly packed, I assume getting the engine out will make everything quicker. I can imagine that it's just a four-bolt-job - plus a dozen connectors or so.
True, though everyone seems to forget about Air conditioning lines and water pipes. Believe it is possible to drop it just enough to gain some access
@@HubNut Water should be easy enough, but, yes, AC is a pain.
Have you considered putting the wheels back on and simply bump starting the car to start the engine?? Now that Mrs Hub Nut can drive, you have someone to steer the car whilst you push.
Video title:---"A smart ass Smart" 💥😜🚗☁️....
Crivvens! I'd rather change the gearbox on my Transit!
I love clap hand wipers
I've GOT clap hands wipers on my Citroen Grand Picasso! 😂
@@PercyPruneMHDOIFandBars I have them on my vauxhall meriva
@@taficegaming I even had them on my Morris Minor! 😉
AY UP MR HUBNUT
Always fancied a Smart, took a truck from work into a local dealer and had one as a courtesy car,wast impressed, steering was so heavy,but went like poo offa stick!
Yeah early ones didn’t have power steering. I can’t remember which generation was the first with it.
Has the struggling starter bit caused its fuse to pop?
No. Fuse checks out.
One step forward. . .
At least the air conditioning seems to work.
Good video😀
Watching this should give me a kick up the arse to go and grease my smart car's alternator before it gets worse...
I'd say starters unless as it tempremental
If you strip that alternator you'll free it up and itll cost you nothing. If you get it on your bench and spin it up with a drill and lube it that may be enough! You may get lucky on the starter as well changing the brush pack
There is no way to get it out without dropping the subframe, hence hoping to free it off in-situ.
@@HubNut ah, what an 'inserts internet unfriendly word'.
Can you make review on Dacia Jogger, Dacia Sandero III, good good price new cars that makes old cars obsolete IMHO
I don't think they make old cars obsolete when it comes to cost...
@@HubNutFair play, but in my country is cheaper to get 9000 euros 1 (one )year old Dacia on 10ooo km with more 4 years warranty that burns 5 euros LPG for 100 km and to be Euro 6 compliance certificate than to run burning oil banger that always requires parts ,labour, vehicle inspection and a lot of time money , afforts and frustrating experience that sooner or later brings to scrap yard.
incredible that youtube doesnt sort its spam issue like holy hell
It's bloody awful. I think I've managed to get rid of this batch.
Went downhill when Google took over.
Ian does seem to attract a higher than average number of, shall we say, certain anatomical features.
I've not confirmed I'm an adult, I get very little spam.
@@-DC- 18 years ago!
You seem to have a liking for cars that are horrific to work on Mr Seabrook
Painful to watch
Are you aware of this? The only surviving Dukedog, 9017, The Earl of Berkeley is at present in the Rheidol Museum at Aberystwyth. My brother is & he is planing to visit. I cannot visit it. You can & I know you are into these engines.
Yes, hoping to visit the museum soon.
Note to self: When considering a new car, have a good look at where the alternator is.
Great vlog guys but that shed is getting full of none running cars time to clear out and get yourselves a couple of cars that run, that Smart car in my eyes is a load of junk no wonder he give it away sorry 🙄