How to replace spark plugs for my C-280 ?

[Cams18]

MD Year: 2000, C-280.

Mercedes-Benz /55/ (Mercedes-Benz is going to launch a new lean-burn engine) ... The spark plug replacement time can be as short as 300 hours /34/. ...

Mine! does it really takes 300 hrs to replace the spark plug?
http://www.apvgn.pt/documentacao/iangv_rep_part3.pdf#search=%22how%20to%20remove%20 mercedes%20spark%20plug%20filetype%3Apdf%22


I see them but they are a bit difficult to access. How do mechanic open them for maintenance? I want to replace them with Iridium spark plugs, why? they are the best for performance, you can money on Gas.

According to the part catalog, C-280 came with standard spark plugs:
http://replacement.autopartswarehouse.com/parts/autopartswarehouse/quote.jsp?year=2000&product=F1000-116348&application=000346402&part=Spark%20Plug&dp=true


I opened the engine's cover but still, they are not easily accessible. if you could show me how to open/access them, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Cams18

[vince]

Replace the plugs with the exact plug recommended by the factory. It will be listed in the owners manual, usually on the inside back cover, but maybe in the engine technical specifications page.

Remove the plastic engine cover. Remove the entire coil unit (6 in your case) from the valve cover and set aside. In order to do so you will first need to disconnect the high tension wires from the spark plugs. The trickiest part is getting the boots loose. I hear you can use one of the old M-B valve adjusting crowfoot wrenches, but I had given mine away. I used a hook from a peg board (the board you put up on the wall and put hooks for tools on). I spread the part that fits into the peg board for a nice fit over the metal part of the boot, slipped a piece of 1/8" pipe over the hook part, and pried against the valve cover. A spark plug socket with a 4" extension should work perfect. I removed the air cleaner housing on the pass side. Just go slow, use your head and be careful.

[bill streep]

Vince knows what he is talking about...

[Don350SDL]

does it really takes 300 hrs to replace the spark plug?
The document refers to electrode weak in the same paragraph. they mean, plugs can last as little as 300 hours.

I agree with Vince, use exactly the recommended plugs, MB spent millions to determine what is "best", listen to them.

Don

[Cams18]

Thank you Vince for your reply. I appreciate it. I think you guys are very conforming, I understand your reason but I am not a conventional guy because I have known car makers that recalled their vehicles for correction which shows that original design is not always correct.

Iridium plugs came on the market in 1996, this was a little late for MD to incorporate in their C-280 design, and many new sportive cars now have Iridium Plugs.

Iridium plug resists heat 38% better than Platinum plug currently used in C-280. Iridium plug's strength is 8x time higher than Platinum plug. Iridium produces many times electrons to burn your gas molecules. The better you can burn Gas the more you can save money. This is why I like to use them. Of course the risk is mine. I used newer plugs on my Infiniti and I am too happy to explore them on my MD. So far no overheat ever detected on my Infiniti, every thing runs cold.

Thanks folks for your concern.

Cam

[bill streep]

Cam,

Go for it. Let us know how it works out. I have to agree with you. MB probably saw all of the info on these plugs, and just totally ignored them. When you blow an engine to save $5, you will know...

What I LOVE about this place is that someone asks how to even FIND the sparkplugs, and then tells us - those that KNOW where they are and WHAT the appropriate plug is that we have BEEN USING THE WRONG PLUG. Good luck with that attitude.... Now go elsewhere. And, take your Infiniti with you. Quit wasting our time.

[vince]

I have to say that I am getting into Bill's camp. All the hype about Irdium is BS. The only reason M-B went to expensive platinum plugs was to get 100,000 mile plug life. Prior to that they insisted on copper core (which happened to be cheap!). The heat range, core type, etc. are important from an electrical perspective and from an emission certification perspective. But, just as you threw whatever oil you decided to throw in, here you are throwing in any plug you desire. It takes time for us to respond and frankly, if you don't want our advice, why are you here?

[W.L.SOON]

Hi folks!

Dear Bill and Vince,whoa,isn't that a wee,bit hard on the dude? No man,I'm not taking sides :eek: ,but at least perhaps we could give the guy a chance to share his opinion,whether it's right or maybe,a bit off.

I mean,probably he's a theorical kind of guy,you know:those who read about technical+technology advancement stuff(blah-blah-blah to some :D )a lot,but have LESS hands-on experience than you folks.So,he just shares his point of view,tho' it may be somewhat of a 'head-on collision' with what we're practising here which is accordingly to MB standards.

Anyway,the guy is just sharing his thoughts;it's not like a 'fully armed to the teeth' debate/argument.It's an open forum,and we welcome folks to join in and share,in a sensible and courteous manner,of course.But people will be people;not all those who ask questions will straightly and duly follow one's advice/recommendations.The 'knowledgeable' or 'daring' ones tend to try out things,you know(which I hope won't bring any adverse consequences :D ).
And you know,tho' we MIGHT be slighted/frustrated with their attitude/thinking,we just have to live with that:we may offer our 'precious' knowledge,experience,advice,etc. but still,at the end of the day,it's up to the person himself to do what he wants to do! :)

Well,in my humble opinion,I do hope that we could cut the guy some slack,you know.After all,we MB folks are a sensible and polite(most of the times at least :D )lot.I don't know about other folks,but I'm :cool: ,yeah,owners of W115s are a :cool: lot.....(OK,OK,mine is a W114 with a M115 engine).

OK,all the best,BYE for now and GOD BLESS!!! :) :) :)

[Dean Yelenik]

I'm normally the first guy to dump originality if I think Mercedes has made a mistake or there is really is something newer and better. But I don't mess with spark plugs - having put Bosch +4's in a 119 motor - the car would just barely run. I put the F8DC4s back in and it was fine again. With spark plugs there seems to be such a thing as too efficient, too hot.

[bill streep]

OK, I'll ease up. Maybe I'm cranky because of all of the idiots who seem to think they can just register and sell their junk here...

[vince]

Well, I'm cranky because this fellow seems to be headed for a disaster - and the next thing we will be hearing is what junk M-B is. First he dumps in half the required oil fill and uses 5W-20 because he hasn't even given half an effort to find out the right grade. Then several of us finally get him to put in enough oil - he probably didn't drain the 5W-20. Then we get into this whole spark plug discussion.

[ALUEB]

As Vince and other said very carefully. Remember there are two plugs per cylinder on the V6.

I started to do mine and chickened out when I got to the coil packs. Went to a Mercedes shop to have it done. Not cheap. So if you have the skill and nerve, have some fun and do it.