the smart is a lemon (1 Viewer)

aba

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well just been out for a run in the smart.
everything seamed ok had to put foot down to pull out of a road end it set off like a good one.
as i let off the gas there was a strange rattling sound like stones under the wheel arches then a couple of miles later a smell of hot gear oil.
we limped it home quietly to find the rear of the car covered in oil and a pool dripping from the bell housing.
its only done 37000 miles i fear it will need a new gearbox now.
 

pappajohn

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Bummer!!!!
private buy or dealer?

possibly input shaft bearing has failed and taken the oil seal with it.

not a hard job but specialist equipment probably needed.
 

Chris

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Yes a real bummer.

Hopefully there is a dealer involved.

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aba

aba

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was a private sale sold as seen job:cry:
just passed its mot too.:Doh:
need to source a gearbox collect it from where ever and fit it by bed time tomorrow so i have transport to work on tuesday.:Eeek:
silly thing is it drives quietly and changes gear as it should.
was thinking maybe a bolt or something has worked loose and got into the flywheel/clutch and gone through the gearbox casing.
 
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aba

aba

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will just have to get it in bits to find out what it is
 

American Dream

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well just been out for a run in the smart.
everything seamed ok had to put foot down to pull out of a road end it set off like a good one.
as i let off the gas there was a strange rattling sound like stones under the wheel arches then a couple of miles later a smell of hot gear oil.
we limped it home quietly to find the rear of the car covered in oil and a pool dripping from the bell housing.
its only done 37000 miles i fear it will need a new gearbox now.

Hi

Is it gearbox oil or Engine oil?

I had a clutch replaced on the Smart I owned and it cost me some £500 from a Smart/Mercedes dealership.Got the input bearing and seal done too.

I was going to do it myself but it required a Computerised setup to adjust the clutch "throw".

37.000 miles eh? Remember the engine is similar to a motorcycle one....Fairly high revving. Relies on regular oil/filter changes to reduce wear.

Is there any history? Should be due a clutch by now if it hasn't had one already?

Regards Steve.

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Last edited:

jhorsf

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use google ie; smart car oil leak
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loads of info do check you have put the filler cap on properly as it will blow oil everywhere and is a common mistake
oil line leaks to turbo also common
check the silly little things first dipstick in and seal ok
sorry if you have already done all this just trying to be helpful:thumb:
 

Jaws

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What year is it ?
But as JH says, do make sure the oil filler cap is in place !! I know full well how easy it is for someone to THINK it is down properly, only to get a weird rattling noise as the cap hits the pulley wheels etc and the whole engine bay looks like the beach after Torrey canyon has paid a visit !
 

old-mo

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May be worth dropping the seller a line, and appealing to his better nature,,, you never know he may not have known about the fault.

Worth a try..

Wish you luck.:thumb:

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aba

aba

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Found it

well i have just had the car in bits and found out it has had a new clutch fitted at some point.
the route of my problem was the 2 bolts that hold release bearing in place had come loose.
the noise i heard before the smell of hot gear oil was that of the 2 bolts flying round in the bell housing unfortunately 1 punched a hole of around 5mm in the diff casing hence the loss of oil.

i have now repaired the hole as it was only a small one luckily with a small copper plate 2 stainless self drilling screws and a dollop of chemical metal. no leaks at all and have now re-fitted the gearbox in the car.

just got to put the rest of it back together in the morning.

luckily we were only a couple of miles from home this could have been much worse.
 
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aba

aba

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fortunately no oil on the clutch.
i did inspect it quite thoroughly there are quite a few marks on the clutch assembly from the bolts finding their way round the bell housing.

i will keep my eyes open for a spare gearbox though.

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aba

aba

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wise chioce, for when you forget to make doubly sure it IS in neutral when hooked up to the A frame. :Doh:::bigsmile:

no A frame for me i have about an 8 ft overhang so its a trailer to save stress on the motorhome chassis.
 
Apr 27, 2008
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no A frame for me i have about an 8 ft overhang so its a trailer to save stress on the motorhome chassis.

Sorry I don't understand this. An A frame puts very little noseweight on the towbar, much less than a trailer, so I would have thought a trailer, which is heavier than the car alone would put more stress on the van chassis than the A frame would.

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aba

aba

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Sorry I don't understand this. An A frame puts very little noseweight on the towbar, much less than a trailer, so I would have thought a trailer, which is heavier than the car alone would put more stress on the van chassis than the A frame would.

i will try to explain my logic on this one.
an a-frame basically gives you a 4 wheeled trailer but with the wheels at either end which puts stress on the car and the motorhome under cornering due to the drag of trying to pull the front wheels one way but at the same time pushing the back wheels the other.

as i have a large distance between my rear wheels and the towbar when i turn left the rear of the van goes right so if on a tight turn such as a T junction when i set off and turn the rear of the van goes sideways hence trying to pivot an a-framed car on a centre line between its wheels where as a single axle trailer will just turn on its axis.

you will understand this better if you have ever tried to turn a twin axle caravan with all its wheels on the floor. its easier to turn on 2 wheels.
 

rainbow chasers

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I must admit, this is what puts me off smart cars - my other half would love one! But whilst looking around, I found so many that were in need of, or just had, or were on their second or third engine rebuilds - it really put me off!

I think alot of it is down to how they are driven - see so many pass you at 80mph, and it is only a little engine!
 

big dave

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I have a gearbox (semi auto) for a smart car.you are welcome to it foc .
It will need a check over i just kept it as a spare for my own smart but have
now bought a toyota iq.:thumb:

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