Spark Plug Headache
 

Ok,

So a friend gave me (yes gave) a 1987 300e in great shape for my son's first car. Thinking it would be like any other car I have owned, I thought it would be great to show my son how to change a spark plug.

Needless to say, once I got I got into fixing this, it became apparent that this was not as easy as it seemed.

What I did was first try to pull the ignition wire and ended up pulling the wire out so I now need to also change the ignition wires. I do not see a problem with this however it looks like there is a special tool needed to get the plug out and I cant figure out what it is.

Suggestions?

those wires have a way to "weld" against the plug..

most try to turn and rock as you pull...

it could be time for new wires anyway... not a terribly expensive investment.

plugs should come out with a deep socket and an extension.

when you put the plugs back in..put some di-electric grease on the tips...

oh...and don't use the ratchet to put them back in... hand tighten them with the extension and socket... then put the ratchet on.. and give it a snug quarter turn or so... just a bit more than hand tight....

Don't forget to put a anti seize on a few of the lower threads on the plug.

@ this point trying to track down a set of NGK BP6EFS's will likely be your best bet plug wise.. Just remember NON RESISTOR and no platinum..

Be sure to have a look @ the cap and rotor..they are often overlooked and in need of replacing.

If the O2 hasn't been done in the last 50K I'd do it again.. get a 3 wire O2 for a Mustang 302 (late 90's) and solder that into your old O2's harness.

Jonathan

One other question....
 

Do you think it would be terrible to drive the car on 5 cyclinders to the shop for about 3 miles? Clearly there are catalytic converter issues but it seems to me that for this short drive, it would not be a problem.

Oh, thanks for the feedback! This place is great!

You'll be allright..I'd pull the spark plug on that cylinder before heading out:)

Jonathan

YOu might be able to repair the wire. On older benzes the plug socket actually screws onto the solid core wire, so you can just screw it back on and go. Look down into the socket and if you see a small screw in there you can do that.

(I know this may sound silly but it is true!)

Tom W