[sokoloff]

Curious - does the 453 EV still call for changing the desiccant cartridge every two years? If so does anyone know if the part number is the same as the one for the 451? That number is A 789 340 33 00.

Len
2014 EV Coupe 12,000 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 1,000 miles

 

[gapotter]

I'm happy to report that the 453 desiccant cartridge / air dryer is the exact same part number as the 451. It's just in a slightly different location in the battery pack (right under the driver - left hand drive, of course) Smart Part# A 789 340 33 00 is right on the bottom of it. I don't know why this is so hidden and not accessible in the parts catalog.
Since I have a lease, I have to purchase a new one and show the receipt that it was replaced. I guess they are easy to refill with desiccant beads. Now off to find one for cheap! (Hope less than $50 ATM)

 

[driverdan]

So can you remove yours and refill it with new desiccant beads? Or do you have to buy a new one? And how often - I've seen a reference to every year, and this thread mentioned every two years.

 

[sokoloff]

The 451 is every two years and replacing the beads is perfectly fine IMO after being a little cautious initially. Simple, simple job. What does the 453 owners/service manual say? My guess is it still says every two years.

Len

 

[Jeb Baker]

The 451 is every two years and replacing the beads is perfectly fine IMO after being a little cautious initially. Simple, simple job. What does the 453 owners/service manual say? My guess is it still says every two years.

Len

Yes the 453 manual says replace every two years.

 

[constantinus]

Hi,

Could you give more info about the location of the desiccant cartridge, please? I have a European 2019 ForTwo EQ.
I bought the cartridge from MB, 3D printed the T90 tool, got a T90 from China as well. Scoured the net for info and pictures, to no avail - only for the 451 model. Not even Evilution has pictures about the 453 model desiccant whereabouts, or I can't find them.

Went to the car. Made a freaking movie with my phone, of the car's underbelly. Nothing, only bolt heads. Now I'm sitting on a piece of cardboard next to the car, boroscope in my hand, writing from Europe, on a US forum. Because nothing showed up. Don't tell me where to put it.
Where exactly is that desiccant, under the driver? Balls, left cheek, right cheek, left foot, right foot?

My car does have a plastic shield under the front part, maybe it's hidden under that, or I can get a good parking space in the city center because I'm probably legally blind.
I'll try looking under the shield next, but it's getting dark, so maybe tomorrow.

Thank you.

Edit: made a sequel to the first movie. Found it. Was harder than with my first girlfriend. Finding it, I mean.

The desiccant cartridge's T90 hole's center is 60cm (27in) inwards from the car's left side (LHD) and 16cm (6in) forwards from the big U-shaped cross tube that is under the motor. In essence, it is in the rear center under the car.

I'm happy to report that the 453 desiccant cartridge / air dryer is the exact same part number as the 451. It's just in a slightly different location in the battery pack (right under the driver - left hand drive, of course) Smart Part# A 789 340 33 00 is right on the bottom of it. I don't know why this is so hidden and not accessible in the parts catalog.
Since I have a lease, I have to purchase a new one and show the receipt that it was replaced. I guess they are easy to refill with desiccant beads. Now off to find one for cheap! (Hope less than $50 ATM)

 

[sokoloff]

As I recall, the desiccant cartridge is the same for the 451 and the 453. Lots of us are just changing out the beads for about a dollar a change rather than buying the $70+ part. In either case it is really simple job, especially now that you know where it is.

A 14mm allen wrench also works to R&R the cartridge, although a T90 is a better fit.

Glad you got it done.

Len

 

[constantinus]

As I recall, the desiccant cartridge is the same for the 451 and the 453. Lots of us are just changing out the beads for about a dollar a change rather than buying the $70+ part. In either case it is really simple job, especially now that you know where it is.

A 14mm allen wrench also works to R&R the cartridge, although a T90 is a better fit.

Glad you got it done.

Len

R&R the cartridge? Remove and replenish, I suppose.

I bought a new one in order to have two cartridges, just in case I botch the "recharging" process of the first one. It cost me 27.66 $ from the local MB dealer, it was the cheapest genuine source I could find. Made in the Czech Republic, sounds just about right.

After I replace the cartridge, it's time to find a European supplier of color-changing desiccant beads. Or from Aliexpress, laced with some good old [insert nasty chemical here].

While we're at it, does anyone have an estimate of how much desiccant one cartridge takes? By volume or mass, so I have an idea? I think I saw someone posting how many times they can use a quart of Dry & Dry orange beads, but I can't find that post anymore. I need to get at least one replacement's worth of beads, probably not from Dry & Dry though.

By the way, some time ago I had two days left of my warranty (two years) and went in for the MB service. They didn't say anything about an "Air Dryer" or desiccant, but they did change the cabin filter.

Thank you.

 

[sokoloff]

Lots of discussion about the beads in this thread:

How to: Reuse your old Desiccant filter

We've had a number of discussion about part # A 789 340 33 00, the Dehydrator/Desiccant Filter for the battery pack in the Smart ForTwo (and likely the MB B250e). I recently changed mine to the tune of $53, from the local dealer. I threw the old filter into the left side cubby of the car, and...

www.smartcarofamerica.com

and here is where I bought mine:

https://dryndry.com/products/1-quart2-lbs-dry-dry-premium-orange-indicating-silica-gel-desiccant-bead

The cartridge doesn't take much. Pour them out of your spare used cartridge to see. Some folks also just bake the old beads in an oven to dry them out and reuse them.

Len