Air Filter Removal

[Old smart]

I have looked at Evilution's take on that upsidedown torx. Maybe if you can ever get it out, you should drill the threads out of the female side and replace the torx with a cap screw and nut.

[Old smart]

Though Evilution has taken a hiatus from SCOA (for understandable reasons that I am privvy-to), nevertheless, he has passed the following to me for you:

“Hi D…,

”Why are people even removing those torx bolts to change a filter?

”After reading this (my inquiry) I decided to make a video, first of many. Finally got my new iMac so thought I'd give it a go.

"

YouTube - Fitting an air filter to a smart fortwo 451

YouTube - Fitting an air filter to a smart fortwo 451

”If you really did want to remove that torx and not have the worry of replacing it, you could put a zip tie through the holes and pull tight. If you wanted to use a bolt, you could just use a thinner one that slipped in without having to drill the old thread out. It's not really load bearing so not a problem.

”Feel free to post the video and the info on SCOA, let them know I made the video for them and thank the people who donated to the site so I could get my iMac.

Cheers,
Kane.”

So, there you have it,
D...

[GHammerly]

Yeah, that video is dejavu on how my removal and install went, I didn't remove the pesky bolt. I made up my mind to just remove the resonator and do the 50c mod to the air intake tube which I was going to do any way, it will be easy removing the filter that way.
The Evilution site is a great resource I looked at several times, there are some great people in the smart car community.

[JimDantin]

Thanks for posting the video. That's exactly how I ended up doing it, but only AFTER I got banged up knuckles! For those of you who haven't tried to change the filter yet, I hope you can see why it was so difficult to explain -- the video definitely solves the confusion.

[jwight]

Great video - thanks Kane! "...after a little struggle..." sums it up; that air hose is a lot more flexible than the one on our car.

[Kermit]

Watched the video - good watching and should be very insightful for some. Everyone who thinks the hose is difficult, remember it'll be easier once summer hits and that plastic will be more pliable.

I liked the little addition "after a little struggle". My little struggle normally includes a lot of profane language AND cuts on my fingertips.

[chieftmc]

old smart

Please pass on our THANKS to Kane. He is missed

[jonmills]

Many thanks to all since I started this thread. Since I am in the north I think I will wait until Spring and warmer weather. Flexibility of pipe seemed to be the big issue.

[Dan1776]

Guys I have the fix for how to make changing the air filter very easy. Break or cut the bellows one joint from where it bends toward the air filter box. I did this by mistake trying to change my filter only to realize that this is how it should have been made to begin with. It will make future filter changes a breeze. Once the bellows end piece is attached to the air filter box, the joint (broken section) is easly sealed with a strip of inner tube and two radiator hose champs. I can't believe Damlier/Benz didn't design it this way from the start. Now I will not fret the idea of future filter changes. I have to admit, this is the first time I have broken something on a vehicle and was happy about it.

[Commander Cody]

This Southern boy feels like this is good 'ol Yankee ingenuity. (well maybe Western)