Smart Fortwo Drift Comp Fix: Tips & Cost Guide

As a Smart Forfour CDI (2004) owner, I encountered nearly identical symptoms. The rough running and check engine light were also linked to drift compensation errors in the injection system. The onboard diagnostics revealed the fuel injection system needed recalibration. The repair involved replacing two faulty injectors that were no longer delivering correct fuel quantities. The system reset and compensation adjustment process was necessary after installation to ensure proper fuel economy and engine performance. This turned out to be a serious issue requiring immediate attention, as faulty injectors can lead to: Poor fuel atomization, Engine misfires, Potential engine damage if left untreated, Increased emissions, Significant power loss The repair took about 4 hours at the shop. After the fix, the engine ran smoothly again and fuel economy improved notably. The drift compensation error disappeared completely after the system reset. Since your symptoms match what I experienced, having a professional check the injectors would be wise. Proper diagnosis and repair of injection systems requires specialized equipment for accurate calibration and testing.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Those symptoms definitely match what I am seeing with my Smart. The rough running is getting worse and I am worried about potential engine damage. Good to know the injector replacement solved it for you. Did the injection system repair turn out to be a long-term fix? My concern is spending money on repairs only to have the onboard diagnostics show more issues later. Also, would you mind sharing what the total repair cost was for the injector replacement and system reset? The shop quoted me a pretty high price and I am trying to gauge if it is reasonable. The fuel economy on mine has really dropped lately too. Like you mentioned, I am hoping a proper calibration will help get that back to normal.

Had the repair done last week and wanted to update. The mechanic confirmed it was indeed the injection system causing problems. They found one defective injector that needed replacement and performed the reset quantity drift compensation adjustment. Total cost came to 515€ for parts and labor. The onboard diagnostics now show all systems working normally. Fuel economy has improved significantly since the repair and the engine runs much smoother. The car sensors are no longer detecting any drift issues after the compensation adjustment was completed. Performance tuning following the repair has made a noticeable difference, no more rough running or check engine warnings. Based on how well my Smart is running now, I am confident this was the right fix. Having proper injection system calibration really matters for these engines. The price might seem high, but considering the specialized equipment needed for precise fuel system diagnostics and calibration, it seems fair. The improvement in engine performance and fuel efficiency makes it worthwhile.

After multiple mechanics gave me high quotes, I finally found a shop that specializes in Smart diesel engines. They diagnosed the drift compensation issue and confirmed the faulty injector problem. Like you experienced, they had to replace one injector and perform a complete reset procedure. The total repair came to 480€, which included: New injector, System calibration, Performance tuning, Reset of airflow sensors The engine now runs perfectly smooth and the check engine light has stayed off. Fuel economy improved by about 15% once the injection system was properly calibrated. No more rough running or hesitation. Three weeks after the repair and everything still works great. The drift compensation readings are stable and the onboard diagnostics show no errors. Really glad I got it fixed before any serious engine damage occurred. This turned out to be a pretty standard repair for these engines. While not cheap, having a properly functioning injection system is crucial. The improved performance and efficiency made the cost worthwhile.