Which tool to remove E320 V8 Spark Plug boots?
 

My daughters 1998 E320 V6 has the apparently original Bosch Platinum plugs in it after 88K Miles. The boots are really stuck on the plugs and my special tool that works on my older MBZ's is too big for this car so I will obviously have to buy another tool for the V8. Question: Should I buy the Snap On SPB3 version or the offset 17MM Wrench version or something else? Many thanks for your help and any additional tips would be appreciated.

Yes, Richard M98, it is a V6 with 2 plugs per cylinder. Dumb mistake, especially since there was a super sale on plugs just after Thanksgiving and I didn't buy enough.

Thanks guys, I'll try the long needlenose pliers first, then I'll escalate to the 17mm wrench.

i have the 110 valve adjustment wrench that mb says is the tool to use to pull the wires. funny how that worked out when they designed those wires. it's the 17mm wrench hazet makes. if you go on ebay, there's a clone sold for just that purpose. no idea how they work. don't know about the snapon tool. got to go to the online store to see it. good luck, chuck.

Perhaps you mean E320 V6? Might look like a V8 with so many plugs (2 per cylinder):).

There is a 'special' wrench. It is a 17mm open end wrench with a 'dog leg'. Back in the day, wrenches with this shape were fairly common but now not so much.

You can get the wrench the big boys use from the dealer. Part No. 110 589 01 01 00. It is made by Hazet and called a valve adjust tool. Price is about $33. It has exactly the right offset to catch the front of the boot and press it off. After looking at the SnapOn I decided to get the MB one.

You can also contact Ohlord a frequent contributor on these sites who has a similar tool for a few dollars less. I think he has some package 'deals' including radio keys and cluster removal tools as well.

Dont mess with all that. I use a set of long needlenose hose pliers to do spark plugs on these engines. Grip the metal part of the wire boot and just lever it off.

x2

And squander an opportunity to buy tools?

320 = V6. I did mine at 90 K or so using the 17 or 19mm wrench. Using the valve cover as leverage, all the boots came off. To reinstall I gave a brief shot of silicone spray first.

These are the special tools specified by Mercedes

http://www.startekinfo.de/etools/content/tool.jsp?toolno=110 589 01 01 00

http://www.startekinfo.de/etools/content/tool.jsp?toolno=112 589 01 09 00

Do you recommend using a straight needlenose or one with a bent tip? Many thanks for the good advice!

plug boot removal
 

There is a specific plug boot removal plier available at any auto parts store. It has the right tip and angle for pulling boots without damage. Works on any car and is inexpensive ... $3 to $5.

Those also work like a $3 tool especially if the boots are "welded" on. Buy a tube of dielectric grease and squirt some inside the boots when you replace your plugs.

The $3 pullers will not work, especially on the left side (drivers side) of the engine. There is not enough room.

The 17mm wrench works best. I've tried various other methods that worked, sort of, but it took a lot longer and I broke a couple spark plugs in the process.

Sorry I realized I didnt specify and had to look at mine to be sure, it's angled and is necessary for some of the tight fit in the back on SL's and C's etc. The trick is to find the right pliers with just about the right diameter to fit around the plug wire.

Silicone spray or grease is helpful as well for getting the boots back on.

The thread died out and I forgot to post my pictures for you. here ya go.

Taken with my phone but you get the idea.

Just to kind of wrap this up, I bought both an long nose angled hose plier and a "Mercedes Spark Plug Wire Wrench Tool M112 V6/M113 V8" (on ebay for $17.99 + $7.50). With both of those tools, plus long and short 4 mm allen wrenches and plug wrenches, the job was almost easy to accomplish. The old plugs were a bear to remove as all the threads were rusty. I coated the new plug threads with anti-sieze and coated the boots with silicone, so next time it will be much easier.

Anyway you figure it, it beats the heck out of paying our dealer the quoted $400 for a plug change, I got a couple of new tools out of the deal, and my daughter got a practical Christmas present.

Thanks for all the good advice! Much appreciated. Happy New Year to all.