Any Suggestions for Air Hose Removal? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

ulflyer · 10-29-2009, 01:54 PM

Want to check the air filter but can't get the darn hose off. Loosened clamp, pulled and wriggled, but the hose doesnt' budge. Is there some secret to this seemingly simple process?

**jwight** · 10-29-2009, 02:01 PM

Assume you have an '09 - easier to remove than the '08 IMHO. I disconnected the clamps at both ends, squeezed the hose together and popped it out that way. Loosening the air box cover and sliding it up and back (toward the front of the car) gives you some extra wiggle room also.

TMACK · 10-29-2009, 02:05 PM

Sounds like the rubber has "frozen" to the air box exit port. GENTLY insert a flat head screwdriver to gently loosen. You might want to spray a little silicone lube in between. On an 08, it should slip right off.

TMACK · 10-29-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwight

Assume you have an '09 - easier to remove than the '08 IMHO. I disconnected the clamps at both ends, squeezed the hose together and popped it out that way. Loosening the air box cover and sliding it up and back (toward the front of the car) gives you some extra wiggle room also.

Woops. Looks like I don't know what I'm talking about on 08 air hoses, eh?
I thought the 09 was difficult; one of the prime reasons I replaced it with Evilution's design.

mvaldes · 10-29-2009, 02:08 PM

Mine comes off with a bit of effort but some members have reported difficulty as it gets colder and the rubber gets less flexible. If that's the case, perhaps a heat gun of hair dryer to warm up the tubing would help. Good luck!

**jwight** · 10-29-2009, 02:09 PM

I think it's down to each person's own experience - I had a heck of a time with our '08 intake hose but the '09 seems easier to me. YMMV, of course.

ulflyer · 10-29-2009, 02:25 PM

Thanks all for the suggestions. Tmack: Your idea worked fine; I bent the end of an old screwdriver, sorta like a fishhook, worked that under the edge, squirted a bit of lube, and off it came. Getting it back on was harder, but again the bent screwdriver served to lever it on . The filter looked like new. With only 3300 mi on it it should, but since I'm the second owner I wanted to be sure.

I'm thinking my next addition will be a Scangauge. Can't stand not knowing what the water temp is, and miss not having a tach also. Maybe a christmas present to myself...I've spent enough already with the MDC cruise, rear wheels/tires for the front (if they ever get here..come on UPS), and the routine change of oil/filter, transmission, etc. Maybe Santa will throw in a latch cover key that I dropped down in the engine.

TMACK · 10-29-2009, 02:29 PM

Great. Glad it worked off for you.
The SGII is great. If you look at prior posts about the bloody radiator cap coming off and frying the engine, you will appreciate the water temp function of the SG. Apparently on the smart, when and if the idiot light fires, it's...too...late.

Smartmadness sells for $159 and the service is great.