Smart Fortwo 450 Starter motor replacement and lowering the Engine Part 4

[@TheLeedsAppreciationSociety]

You should have gone on Record Breakers with Roy Castle with the dedication you've shown there. 7 hours labour to change a starter motor is insane. I bet the main dealers love the Smart. If it was mine, it wouldn't be, or at least not for very long. Even the old Jaguar XJ6s and 12s weren't as bad as that, and changing a starter on those was no fun, even though a Jag starter probably weighed as much as a Smart gear box.

[@jamesnightingale9782]

Well done Waqas they are not the easiest of jobs and what you say about taking your time is spot on. I did replace alternator and starter on one of these a few years back with a friend we decided to make an access panel as someone has already stated. It was a bit of a job but my friend still has the car and has never had any problems. It turned out to be an easy job with the access.

[@musical2]

Hi James. I'm just getting my head around doing this task right now. I thought of cutting an access panel with an angle grinder and then finding a way to patch it up again afterwards. Kind of thought it a bit over the top though but now I see I'm not alone with this idea. Any chance of a bit of further advice please.

[@williamyeh7135]

Do you know how to remove the A/C compressor? Then we can repair it’s clutch. Thanks

[@JP-hj7fc]

Would it have been faster to cut an access panel on the floor behind the seat? The seat removal is easy to perform. Using a 4" x 1/16" cut off wheel on a grinder will zip through the tin work very easily. Then adding a lip around the cut off plate will make re installing the access panel easier and some silicone to create a water tight seal! What do you think?

[@shane1648]

ive considered doing this, but if you get smacked and injured insurance may look at it and say it was structurally modified and void. sad face.

[@dwalker399]

What was wrong with a basic hex head bolt?

[@delphidelphin5741]

Just a quick question, does it matter to lower the engine to access the contacts of the starter? Do you have more room to reach and (un)screw the nuts? I ask because the A/C-pipes are still in the way... trying to exchange the generator here on a Roadster, but the cable to the starter is too short.

[@stuartgrey6303]

in reply Yes many of them and it's a 45 minute job...but then were professionals

[@stuartgrey6303]

in reply Yes many of them and it's a 45 minute job...but then were professionals and your just miss leading people

[@jamesmacdonald3090]

TMI for home mechanic, don't need to know about every nut and bolt etc.. If you need notes on taking ancillary components off, don't attempt this job! Although limited space it is same principle as any other car and quite possibly no the way to do it judging by comments?

[@stuartgrey6303]

in reply Yes many of them and it's a 45 minute job...but then were professionals

[@stuartgrey6303]

in reply Yes many of them and it's a 45 minute job...but then were professionals and your just miss leading people