Smart Fortwo DCT Mechanical Problem

nlel1975 · 18 Dec 2022 at 06:28

Six weeks ago I accidently went through a big puddle. I didn't see it until too late. Ever since then my car makes a rough sound when I put it into neutral and let it roll back.

Its fine in Drive and Reverse. I usually park on a slight slope in the residents carpark where I live and I put it into neutral and let it roll back before putting it into Drive and setting off.

Any ideas what might be the cause?

Thanks.

nlel1975 · 18 Dec 2022 at 09:58

godinman said:
Could be something as simple as some plastic trim under the car dislodged and rubbing when you go backwards?

I’ll have to book it in with the dealer, I’m expecting a £600 bill.

nlel1975 · 18 Dec 2022 at 10:09

Semple said:
I'll sort your trim out, but I'll do it for the bargain of £599!

Main dealer prices mate, they’re supposed to be well trained. Might not be that much anyway.

nlel1975 · 19 Dec 2022 at 13:00

Well my cars booked in, it will be £86 to inspect it and they will advise me from there. Glad the wheels are in motion.

nlel1975 · 21 Dec 2022 at 16:06

I've been searching google seems like a common problem...

https://www.google.com/search

"The grinding sound could be coming from multiple sources, ranging from the serpentine belt drive system, to cooling fan motor, wheel bearings or even driveshaft or transaxle."

Goes on to say...

"The best way to determine the source of the noise is to have a professional mechanic complete a car is making a noise inspection."

Which is what I am doing, no way I could figure this out on my own.

nlel1975 · 21 Dec 2022 at 16:19

tom_e said:
Unless it's something very obvious these sort of issues get very expensive very quickly if you're paying dealer rates for them to look for it.

I’ve got no choice I have no mechanical knowledge or know of anyone who does and I need it fixed. How much are we talking, I only have £2900 in my bank account, if its more than that they'll have to keep the car as collateral. Maybe I could claim on insurance?

nlel1975 · 21 Dec 2022 at 17:38

Well at the end of the day they’re inspecting it for £86 and if I can’t afford to repair it I’m not obligated to go ahead with the repairs. If it is more than I can afford I can always look at making an insurance claim maybe?

nlel1975 · 21 Dec 2022 at 18:24

jpaul said:
...if it was new in 2019 will it squeeze in under warranty ?

No three year warranty ran out February this year.

nlel1975 · 22 Dec 2022 at 12:15

I just hope they are professionals and can diagnose the fault easily the first time round, I would hate to have work done and still have the problem requiring further visits to the dealership.

That is one of the reasons I’ve booked it in to the main dealer, hopefully they are the best trained and not cowboys. Couldn’t risk going to a smaller garage on a job like this in case they’re mechanics are monkeys.

nlel1975 · 22 Dec 2022 at 12:32

Armageus said:
Unfortunately you mind find it's the exact opposite of what you expect. Main Dealers often follow what their computer says in terms of fault diagnosis rather than employing any degree of common sense.

Would any other garage be more clued up? I do not know who to trust.

nlel1975 · 22 Dec 2022 at 12:36

Kenai said:
Don't get your hopes up, you'll probably get a report saying "No noise observed" for your £86

I’m going to get the delivery driver to put it in neutral and let it roll back so he can hear it.

nlel1975 · 22 Dec 2022 at 12:47

Armageus said:
Just an odd thought, but it may be rolling in Neutral isn't something that you should be doing with a DCT.

Why not just put it in Reverse? (you aren't saving any fuel)

I’ve always done it that way it hasn’t caused a problem, no need to put it into reverse it will roll back a few meters just fine then into drive.

nlel1975 · 22 Dec 2022 at 13:05

Kenai said:
Maybe it has caused a problem, this problem, and the puddle had nothing to do with it?

No I've been putting it into neutral and letting it roll back a few metres for 3.5 years and used to do the same with my old Smart. Never had a problem, its definitely to do with the big puddle splash.

nlel1975 · 22 Dec 2022 at 13:06

Why does everyone hate main dealers so much, yes they charge double per hour labour what other garages charge but apart from that they can't be any worse can they?

Lowest labour charge I've had is £50 per hour, the main dealer is around £90 IIRC.

nlel1975 · 22 Dec 2022 at 13:09

gc123 said:
all people dont hate them , we just feel you shouldnt get your hopes up as they may be dashed (out of experience)

Lets give them a chance first.

nlel1975 · 22 Dec 2022 at 13:28

Armageus said:
Other than possible bodywork damage, I can't think of anything that a puddle could affect that would cause a noise. And even if it was, why would it do only when rolling backwards in Neutral?

I presume you didn't read the results of my google search?

https://www.google.com/search

Plenty of accounts of strange noises after going through water.

nlel1975 · 22 Dec 2022 at 13:31

tom_e said:
Apart from the fact it's now making a funny noise Hitting the puddle may have had nothing to do with it and it's just finally worn/damaged something enough to make noise.

I highly doubt it’s just a coincidence. I did get a rough sound immediately after driving through the puddle but that went away the next time I drove it. Now it only does when in neutral and rolling backwards.

nlel1975 · 22 Dec 2022 at 13:36

Armageus said:
Does it make the noise when actually reversing down the slope?

Last time I drove it I went into a big car park and put it into reverse a few times, the noise was either not present or not as bad.

nlel1975 · 22 Dec 2022 at 17:59

At the end of the day I’m paying them to figure out where that noise is coming from as I sure as hell can’t. I am not making it up, I can only hear it when I put it in neutral and let the car roll back down a slope.

Up until that incident with the big puddle which I went through at speed causing a big splash it never used to make that noise but it did make a similar sound immediately after going through the puddle.

When I next drove it a week later there was no noise and I didn’t notice any noise when I let it roll back but then again I wasn’t expecting any. I only drive once a week so have only driven four or five times since the puddle incident and I first took notice of the noise when rolling back in neutral nearly two weeks ago.

I confirmed it this last Sunday when I took it seriously and purposefully drove into my parking space two or three times letting it roll back in neutral confirming I had a serious problem on my hands.

I have accepted it’s going to cost me money and I just want it fixed. Hopefully they are competent enough to figure it out. We shall see.

nlel1975 · 23 Dec 2022 at 15:18

It might not be anything to serious, it seems to drive and reverse ok. I’ll find out next Thursday when it’s booked in for an inspection. I want a mechanic looking at it really rather then a technician.