I went out to change the plugs on my new 300e today and realized I don't have a safe way to pull the wires. This is my first mercedes gasser (I have a diesel) and my '74 alfa doesn't have the plugs buried in the head. So my question is two part

-- how far down do I need to grip the boots to safely pull them and
-- what's the best < $20 tool for the job ?

I think I have the right spark plug socket for the job.


Geoffrey

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1986 250D 5-speed, 210,000
http://images.spritmonitor.de/407216_21.png
1986 300E 112,000

I couldn't find one, so I made one out of a coat hanger. I took a short piece, bent it into a U shape, then bent each end so it could grab the tabs on the side of the boot. I can reach in and remove each one out without pulling on the wire.

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1993 190E 2.3
2001 SLK230
1971 LS5 (454) Corvette Convertible

You should be able to grab the m103 spark plug boot by your hand. It's not buried down deep, as the boot is still exposed.

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1990 190E 3.0L

Adding a touch of anti seize prior to reinstalling the spark plug wires sure helps for the next time too.

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1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Kent has one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv46dIo7WcE

I just pulled mine by hand and wiggled it gently to ensure I did not break the boot. No special tool required.

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200 75 W115 (Mom's)
190e 90 2.6 W201
E320 95 Wagon W124
72 BMW 3.0 CSI

Hi,

there is a special Tools for the M103 Engine
I bought it at the Mercedes Dealer years ago
103 589 00 37 00

To pull the plugs is a piece of cake.

Best regards from Germany
Marcel

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R107, 300 SL Year 1986
C124, 300 CE-24 Year 1990

I use a pair of needle nose pliers to grab the crimped side of the metal end.

I went to advanced and bought pullers,not much money.Also use that grease only on the sparkplug wire boot,do not get on the tip of plug

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran, deutschland deutschland uber alles uber alles in der welt

I bought a Snap-On tool back in '88 when I bought my 190E 2.6... expensive, but worth it to save the plug wires from damage.

Smear a thin film of silicone grease on the inside of the boots. That will keep them from seizing onto the insulator, so they should come off without too much effort next time.

Duke

Same here, works like a charm!

I don't quite understand why that special tool even exists...

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-1990 W124 230E; Winter car
-1985 W123 230TE; Ex-280TE, daily driver
-1976 W115 200D; Restoration project

My Snap On tool has plastic covered jaws, so they leave no marks on the RFI shield.

Duke