Just bought a 2005 450 on ebay

[RIderInTX]

Originally Posted by cfreidma

I purchased the Pella oil sucker, oil, and an oil filter.

I see you have been doing your homework! I also bought the Pella. Took me less than 30 minutes the first time. That pump works exactly as advertised. Lots of people have had the drain plug installed but after some thought I elected to stay with the original design. For one thing it is easy enough to change with the Pella, and for another thing the plug is just one more point on the engine for a potential oil leak. Those are the reasons for staying with the original setup. The reasons for changing over is that it makes changing the oil a little faster and easier and also some say using the plug helps get more of the junk off the bottom. Either way, it comes down to personal preference.

Bill

[atikovi]

there appears to be a weakness in the system for the chain driven oil pump. The failures in these systems are not unique to the gas engine - the diesel has this problem too. What to do about it is to listen for unusual noises from the engine

Can you elaborate on that. What kind of noises and at what engine speeds. I have an '05 cdi with 142,000 km and sometimes can hear what sounds like the pinging noise a gas engine makes from too low octane gas when accelerating at low rpms.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by Mike T

... Secondly, if you use anything but the finest fully synthetic oils that met MB spec, the piston rings will gum up over time leading to massive oil consumption, to the point that the sump can run dry in a week, starving the bearings and toasting the engine. This too is preventable: only use Mobil 1 0W40 European formula or another oil on the approved list from M-B and it is less likely to occur. Also, monitor oil consumption carefully - it won't un-gum the rings but it will mean the car shouldn't run dry of oil. The low compression due to stuck rings will affect driveability and starting in colder weather.....eventually leading to an engine that won't run. So use good oil!!! ...

My information is that the smart 450 with the M160 Suprex gas engine was to be run for 15,000 km (9,300 miles) on an “erstbetriebsmotorenöle” (break-in oil) from M-B Sheet 225.10, then thereafter a service oil from M-B Sheet 229.5. The OM660 diesel was to go 20,000 km on 225.10.

The current Sheet 225.10 (dated 08 APR 09) lists two break-in oils: Fuchs Titan EM 530 DC 5W-30, and Shell Helix Ultra DC 225.10 5W-30. A M-B dealer may stock those as a 225.10 break-in is specified for a number of “big Benzs.”

The last Sheet 229.5 of the smart 450 era (2006) read as follows:

“229.5 M-B Gas Engines

“MB sheet 229.5 approved oils; "MB Longlife (extended drain) Service Oils"
For passenger cars with gas and diesel engines with extended drain intervals beyond 229.3 oils, to 30,000 km, min 1.8% fuel saving. First oils introduced summer 2002. ACEA A3 B4. For gas engines of the M100 series, gas engines of the M200 series and diesel engines of the OM600 series (not models with Euro 4 diesel particle filters).
229.5 engine oils must be used with fleece oil filter designed for use with 229.5 engine oils.

“AGIP Formula LL DC 5W-30 (I)
Aral SuperTronic G 5W-30 (D)
Aral SuperTronic M 5W-30 (D)
Castrol DCO TOPUP 0W-30 (D)
Castrol Syntec European Formula 0W-30 (USA)
Elf Excellium 229.5 5W-30 (F)
Formula Shell Ultra AB 5W-30 (GB)
Fuchs Titan Supersyn SL MB 5W-30 (D)
Labo MB 229.5 5W-30 (F)
Liqui Moly Longtime High Tech 5W-30 (D)
Mobil 1 SuperSyn European Car Formula 0W-40 (USA)
Mobil 1 Turbodiesel 0W-40
Mobil SHC Formula MB 5W-30
Motorex Profil M-XL 5W-30 (CH)
OMV full syn MB 5W-30 (A)
Pennzoil European Formula Ultra 5W-30 (USA)
Premium Synthetik Motorenöl 5W-30 (DaimlerChrysler, D)
Quaker State European Formula Ultra 5W-30 (USA)
Shell Helix Ultra AB 5W-30 (Mercedes-Benz) (GB)
Shell Helix Ultra DC 229.5 (GB)
Total Quartz 229.5 5W-30 (F)
Valvoline SynPower MB 5W-30 (NL)”

N.B. A letter from DaimlerChrysler to Valvoline Europe dated 05 MAR 03 indicates that Valvoline SynPower MB was approved by M-B, re-branded as Fuchs Titan EM 530 DC. I presume that the description indicates “ErstbetriebsMotorenöle” 5W-30 DaimlerChrysler.”

[Mike T]

Originally Posted by atikovi

I have an '05 cdi with 142,000 km and sometimes can hear what sounds like the pinging noise a gas engine makes from too low octane gas when accelerating at low rpms.

That is the kind of noise I am referrng to. Have your oil pump chain checked immediately. smartspirit in the southern USA had a total failure of the this part in his cdi at 175,000 km. There is a writeup on it at the clubsmartcar site.

[cfreidma]

Hey everyone. Just an update for you. Still no car yet but I have the title, bill of sale and insurance papers. Next task is to get the license and registration.
I'm having some problems with Express Auto transport. It appears they have no control over the timeframe that a sub contractor (driver) will agree to a 'dispatch'. I saw on eopinions that other major auto transit companies have the same issue. So I just have to wait...
I thought it would be a good idea to post this problem as others like myself may not be expecting to find this issue.

[CMPVEGAS]

Originally Posted by cfreidma

Hey everyone. Just an update for you. Still no car yet but I have the title, bill of sale and insurance papers. Next task is to get the license and registration.
I'm having some problems with Express Auto transport. It appears they have no control over the timeframe that a sub contractor (driver) will agree to a 'dispatch'. I saw on eopinions that other major auto transit companies have the same issue. So I just have to wait...
I thought it would be a good idea to post this problem as others like myself may not be expecting to find this issue.

Please take some pictures and give us the details when it arrives.

[cfreidma]

Check out the Gallery 'Got my Car' section.

Pic is 'Our New (used) Car In Transit'
It's a CUTE picture.

[cfreidma]

My smart car arrived - everything has worked out so far. I've had one of the funnest days of my life. At day light, I changed the oil (4000 miles and the oil had not been changed as I suspected it wouldn't). I drove the car into work. It was the first time I ever actually drove one believe it or not. Ok. So - very impressive and totally fun. Every person on my team at work just loved the car. I took several for a ride - of course one at a time. One thing that cracked us up is the little road runner horn. Beep - beep, beep - beep.
The building manager shouted - hey what happened to the other half of your car.
I've had a couple people strangers on the street wave at me spontaneously - which I thought was really cool. Also impressive is that when you're driving the car, you don't feel undersized by the huge vehicles out there any more than you would in a compact car. That said coming from more of a scooter and bicycle background, I have resolved not to succomb to talking on my cell phone, eating, drinking, grooming, texting, tailgating -while driving. By the way, her name is Lightening McQueen. Hey Sally Carrera - listen for Lightening's beep beep.

[RIderInTX]

cfreidma;

Congratulations! Glad to hear you are enjoying the car.

Bill