How is the best way to remove plugs--seem awful tight to turn--don't want to strip the threads!!! Should it be done with a cold or warm engine?? I tried to tighten, then loosten aplug on a cyllander but it seems very tight--worried about stripping the threads--any advice please?

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John B

Your problem is one reason it is generally considered prudent to change the plugs in these engines every 100,000 miles or 4 years whatever comes first.

I replaced them in my wifes ML with about 36k at 4 years.

I would guess that they would come out best with the engine warm. This is only based on the fact that aluminum has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than does steel.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

I'm supprized you haven't asked the best way to remove the spark plug boots since that is half the battle.

My suggestion would be to remove the plugs with a cold engine to avoid stripping out the aluminum threads.

I would plan on spending several hours to remove the plugs. My experience has been if you rush a job you increase your risk of screwing something up. If you take your time you increase your risk of not screwing something up.

Take your time and ease out each plug with a cold engine. Turn your wrench perpendicular to the plug to avoid snapping the plug. It helps to remove the coils to give yourself more room to work with.

When putting in the new plugs, double check the gap and put a small dab of high temp anti-seeze compound on the threads. Also put some dielectric grease in the spark plug boot. This will make removing the plugs a little bit easier the next time they need to be changed.

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Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles