I have a 1995 C280. How do I change the spark plugs? I bought a set of 6 today, but I am at a loss as how to change them. Is there a covering I need to remove? That one above the engine block? Thanks for the help.

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

The 104 spark plugs are under a cover in the middle of the engine, you need to remove 6 or 8 allen bolts. I am not sure on the C280, you may also need to remove the air cleaner duct runs across the engine.

jack

jylee is right. Also take care on removing the plug wires.
This topic was mentioned not long ago.

p.s. what temp does your C280 run with city driving?
ever notice the passenger side fender as hot
due to engine heat? (mine 98C and hot fender. ).
Thanks

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

Do the plug wires have to be changed when the spark plugs are changed?? I believe that my spark plugs only need to be changed every 100K miles. My car has about 80K on it now, but I bought spark plugs and want to change them. I just hope I do'nt have to change the plug wires too...?
As for my engine temp, yes, when I am driving slow or am stopped, my enging temp gets to about 98C also (to the line between 80 and 120). But when I'm going fairly fast, it stays at 80. I have not noticed it to be very hot near my fender, but it might be, I'll check it out.
Also, as you know, I have two tow covers under my front fender, but on the right fender there is an electrical wire attached to the cover also; does anyone know what this might be? I am pretty sure it's the ambient temp sensor, but am not sure. Thanks a lot.

DF

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

Its an easy job to change the plugs on this model. Remove the air cleaner cross over tube, the the plastic cover over the plug wells. Plug wires should last forever if they are'nt abused, handle carefully. Clean out the plug wells with some sort of air blast so that sand etc. does'nt drop into the cylinder when the plug is removed. Use Bosch or Champion platinum type plugs as recommended. No need to change before 100K miles unless engine does not run good or fuel milage is down. RE wire attachment to front grill below fenders, could be to retain removable grill piece to access the tow rings. C280, 60K miles car is flawless.

If I remember well, my owner's manual (94 C280) says to replace spark plugs every 30k miles with REGULAR ones. Platinum plugs are NOT recommended. There are threads talking about the disadvantages of using platinum plugs. You should be able to find them by doing a "search".

__________________
Harry (94 C280)

Thanks for the info on the running temp.
Let me know if your fender gets hot.

Benzmac has commented before that, in general, Mercedes
OEM wires are excellent quality and don't need replacement
unless defective. Apparently you can replace the metal contacts on the ends of the wires. This is a point which may cause a wire to be inefficient.
I concur that the spark plugs should be regular and not platinum.
I asked this questiuon last year Do a search.
But I respect others opinions.
I don't use platinum in my C280.
The 30K service calls for spark plug change etc.
So my car has 33K miles. Don't know about 80K service yet.
I imagine you can check and clean the plugs, but it's not an expensive part.
Be sure to check your wiring harness!!
Do a search on the topic! You may need to contact the dealer for a courtesy fix
Good Luck.

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

I'll let you know about that fender getting warm. Yes, I will attempt and change the plugs and keep you updated on how that goes. Good thing I bought them because just today I have been noticed an occasional misfire (I think it is a misfire...?), I really hope this resolves the problem? My car has just over 80K miles on it. THink it could be an adjustment that needs to be made on the magnetic cam or something like that? I don't recall exactly what it's called. THanks!

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

Does anyone else apply a very thin film of anti-seize compound to the threads of their spark plugs?

Just a few tips when changing spark plugs.
Have the proper spark plug sockets, yes 2.
When removing the plugs use a socket that has the rubber insert. In this way when your remove the socket the plug comes with it.
When installing the plug use a socket with out the rubber insert. In this way when you remove the socket from the plug it freely come off, not staying on the plug and all you get is the extention.
Use Hi-Temp anti-sieze on the plug threads. I use Loctite Hi-Temp anti-sieze with nickel. It takes just a dab.
Apply a silicone spark plug boot lubricant to the inside of the insulating boot. I geet mine from Auto Zone. $1.00 for a small packette.
After setting the gap and they are installed, using your torque wrench tighten them to spec.
Just that simple.
1 3/8" rachet and extention
2 3/8" plug sockets. one with and one without an insert
A spark plug feeler gage
Anti-sieze
Insulator lub
Fender apron
Hood vertical
Cool Engine
Oh yes, new spark plugs
Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston
Donald, I have a plug board with a second set of plugs for I'm forever trying different gap settings

Hotee18m, Don't jump to conclusions. In my case, my C280
began to have bumpy idle after I got it back from my
30K service (archive threads can explain).
Anyway the aftermath explaination was that the 'camshaft
adjuster magnet' had to be replaced. Although the rough idle stopped, I often wonder if it may have been
something like bad gapping on new plugs, wrong type of plugs or something that the mechanic did not want to 'fess up to. Since I didn't pay for all the extra stuff, I was satisfied
with the end result. So, indeed this magnet may be a component to idle smoothness, but in your case it may be a simple need for new plugs.
Check your wiring harness anyway. Other posts point to 60K miles+ as the magic number for harness deterioration signs.
Good Luck!

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

Hottee18m,

About that cable you were talking about...do you mean the sensor for the outer temperature display??
If so, it should be a (thicker) black cable with a black sensor (4-5cm long) at the front. On european models this sensor is mounted in the front bumper at the left side of the license plate...

hot right fender...just try to sit on the edge of the hood after a long drive...there is a lot of engine-heat underneath the hood that has to be taken care of and this results partly in hot chassis parts. The right fender will be warmer as the left, since the exhaust system is mounted at that side of the engine. The left side is filled with all kind of components and does not get that warm at the fender...

greetingz,

__________________
1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)

Thanks MBENZ, I deduced the obvious that the exhaust manifold
contributed to the heat on the fender, but its odd nonethe- less that this should be the case to allow a VERY hot spot
on a fender. I realize the engine compartment is small and crowded, say compared to the 300SE or 300D, but other C280
owners of like vintage claim no heated fender!
Was denken Sie denn?
Cheers

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD