Removing plugs - 95 w124

[yosshimura]

Looking at the engine on my 95 E320, I "imagine" the plugs are acessed by removing the cover which is attached with allen bolts. Not sure, but I can't imagine having to remove the whole valve cover.

Can someone give me a clue? LOL... I see just to reach the spark plugs will probably take longer than the remove/install of plugs will take.

I need to change my plugs and the coil ends asap, car is running a little crappy and plus were due to be changed like 3-4K miles ago...

thanks

[deanyel]

Yes plugs are in the top middle of the engine. Removing the allen bolts you may strip one or two of them out. Then if your wiring harness is original you will ruin that as you move it out of the way. When you get the cover off you will see 3 coils, each of which controls two cylinders. So there is actually a spark plug wire set for the car, although the three coils are connected directly to a spark plug boot. You may screw up the spark plug wires too, and the coils - both of which will require replacement. If you get the parts wholesale and do the work yourself you should be able to get new spark plugs in the car for less than $1500. But other than that it's a great setup. Good luck.

[yosshimura]

Wow.... do you look at everything so positive?

THanks for confirming the location.

Anyone else have any tips? I got my spark plug wire remover pliers, etc... all the basic tools from the whse this am to do the job... so should be set.

[Kestas]

Tips:

- Use a neversieze compound on the spark plug threads to prevent any potential galling that is common in threaded aluminum holes.

- Butter the inside of the spark plug boot with silicone grease (dielectric grease or Sil-glyde) to prevent the boot from adhering to the spark plug ceramic.

Both these actions will ease service the next time spark plugs are changed.

[TROVERMAN]

Remove the cover with the allen wrench; I think you have to remove the air intake pipe which crosses the engine first but this is like two nuts to remove. Then, lift the cover and you'll have access. THis is one of the easiest cars in the world to change plugs in because they're right on top and nothing is in the way. There are three coils and the plug boots come off as you remove them and the cover. Be gentle with them, then use a plug wrench with an extension and a ratchet, slowly and with only the amount of pressure needed loosen the plugs, once they are loose disconnect the ratchet and turn out by hand. Make sure not to let any dirt fall into the plug hole. Put new plugs in at first without ratchet, turning in by hand making sure not to strip aluminum threads. Then lightly tighten w/ ratchet. Just be careful and everything will go fine. I used Bosch Plat. 4's and nothing bad happened. Many MB mechanics will tell you the wiring harness problem wasn't so much a problem in 95 as it was in 93. Good luck.

[Kestas]

The engine wiring harness was just as much of a problem in 95. My 95 E320 was built late in that year's run and the original wiring harness looks like it's 200 years old!

[Ferdman]

yosshimura, the proper plugs for your 1995 E320 are Bosch F8DC4 ... do not use Platinum plugs or your engine will run poorly. Follow Kestas' advice for never-seize and dielectric grease and you should be fine. Be sure to lift the coils and spark plug connectors straight up. The coils fit on studs screwed into the valve cover.

[Arthur Dalton]

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...or any other.
F8DC4 is the proven plug for 104 waste spark ignition system. Period

[okc329]

If you have access to it, there was a detailed article with pictures that would serve you well. If you'd like, I can copy and mail to you. Try to PM me.

[yosshimura]

Originally Posted by okc329

If you have access to it, there was a detailed article with pictures that would serve you well. If you'd like, I can copy and mail to you. Try to PM me.

I paid for my membership to mbca and get star every couple months and always forget they have some tech stuff on there as well. Let me look in there, I should find it...

THanks to the others for the info. THe wiring harness was changed 1-2 yrs ago, so should be OK.

I got the parts today, doing the work on Saturday.

[yosshimura]

Originally Posted by okc329

If you have access to it, there was a detailed article with pictures that would serve you well. If you'd like, I can copy and mail to you. Try to PM me.

I didn't see anything on mbca .... wtf? SO much for their tech articles...