Spark Plugs/Tune up

[Heidi Hargrove]

Hello to all fellow ML'ers. I am new to this site. After reading some threads I am now empowered to start taking care of my baby light truck by myself. Out of warranty, trying to save more than a buck or two, I took my 2002 ML320, 86,000 mi. to a recommended shop that works on mercedes. For a B service, spark plugs included, he charges $500. To run my SUV thru the "diagnostic computer" he charged $90. I paid the $90 just to comfirm that I needed spark plugs. I am a very handy woman, able to put up ceiling sheetrock, redo bathrooms, and extensive radiant heating, among other talents. Can anyone tell me that I should not take on this job and why? Can someone suggest an honest and low-cost mercedes mechanic in Westchester County, New York? Also I went on E-Bay and saw a CD Service and Parts Manual on sale from the UK for approximately $30 and almost bought it but then I thought to ask my fellow ML'ers. Does anyone think this is a good idea? This is the link to the CD for sale - check it out and tell me what you think. Just click on the addres to view. http://cgi.ebay.com/Mercedes-Benz-Service-Manual-C-E-G-ML-S-SL-SLK-Class_W0QQitemZ8065297541QQcategoryZ18421QQcmdZVie wItem

Thanks for all your help.

[Don350SDL]

OK, couple of things:

1. Don't buy the CD. It is for the WIS (Workshop Information System) and you need to buy an unlock code from MB to make the CD work - and they aren't cheap. MB sells a CD for the 163 chassis you own, call them at 1 800 for merc to get the price and order it. Should be just over $100, contains everything.

BTW, you can subscribe to the MB service site - same as what the dealers use - at www.startekinfo.com. There's some free content there, too, so it's worth looking at.

$500 for a B service, assuming he does it right, isn't too bad.

Plugs: You can do it yourself. Spark Plugs are easy: Buy them, check the gap, remove the old ones, screw in the new ones. Be careful pulling the wires off the plugs, they stick sometimes. Twist them to unstick them. Also make sure the area around the plugs has no dirt that can fall into the hole before you remove them. Do NOT overtighten them, they don't need to be all that tight, just snug. The head's aluminum, strip out the threads and you have a problem.

Look around (here and the Internet in general) for more info on spark plug replacement. Again, it's easy, but you should look what to be aware of.

For the rest of the B service, none of the jobs are terribly complex or difficult. the danger is that you might be told to inspect something, and not really know what it is you're supposed to be looking for. You have to judge your skill yourself, but if you're really uncertain, have someone else look, too.

Or ask here!

Good luck,
Don

[Heidi Hargrove]

Thanks Don,

You are a great help, greatly appreciated.

Heidi