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-   -   ignition wire plugs (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/43119-ignition-wire-plugs.html)

BigPoppaBenz 07-29-2002 04:45 PM

ignition wire plugs
 
I was replacing my spark plugs today on my 1988 300e and I accidently broke the ignition wire plug on the number 3 cylinder.
I was pulling with a pliers when i heard a crack so I stopped. After I got the plug out, I cut away the rubber coating to see what happened, because i figured I needed a new plug anyway. After calling all the shops in my area and nobody has the plugs in stock, I took a closer look and noticed that I only broke the plastic covering, and the rest of the plug is intact. Better yet, When I push the rubber coating back, I can get it looking like new. So anyway, My question is:
Would it be bad to drive the car tonight without replacing the plug, given that I could reinforce it with a little electrical tape? The dealership said the part is coming in tomorrow, so can I drive it tonight without any major problems?

Please help, I kinda need my car.

thanks
peter

Benzwood 07-30-2002 01:11 AM

Mine went out in the middle of a road trip, and I drove it a couple hundred miles with a broken wire as you described -- same cylinder too, as I recall. Along with a wad of electrical tape. :)

I also drove it about 30 miles with the spark arcing onto the engine block from the wire until I could get to some electrical tape.

I don't see it as a big deal especially if it's not misfiring.

BTW, I had to buy the whole wire set, $150 or so (Bosch). But probably worth it since the others are likely on their last legs.

Bud 07-30-2002 01:38 AM

I damaged a plug wire on my 300E trying to get it off a plug so I bought a new set of Bosch wires from Caliper Motors (about $125). I wound up replacing all the wires and was amazed at the improvement in fuel mileage that resulted.

Apparently, I had damaged other wires over the years and hadn't realized it.

I highly recommend squirting HD silicon inside the boots of new (or old) plug wires to ease getting them off the plugs w/o the special pliers.

mushedroom 08-12-2002 12:26 PM

hey bud,

where's caliper motors?
the cheapest bosch plug set i could find was 188.00 ugh...
please let me know so i can get a set....

i accidentally ripped the wire out of the plug to the distributor cap...and now my car's been sitting around doing nothing....



thanks

Benzwood 08-12-2002 12:52 PM

Buy them right here -- save some dough and support your local message board! :)

Only $105 in FastLane, I would have bought mine here except I was on the road and it was an emergency.

Or call Phil at PartsShop. Great service.

mushedroom 08-12-2002 12:57 PM

i would but on here the ones i need to get are 212.00
i have a 300CE 24V. :(
and presently i'm so broke, and have been reduced to driving the integra cause the benzie is shy one functional ignition wire...ugh
does anyone know how to fix a sparkplug wire?
the wire that i pulled out of the plug that connects to the distributor...
ugh
i wish i could do that one fix...versus spending money i presently don't have :(
:(
:(

suginami 08-12-2002 01:06 PM

Rich,

I've read many times here that it's not usually the plug wires that go bad, but the resistor ends, or "boots", which are very cheap to replace. I think the ends are just a couple dollars.

However, if you do decide to replace all of the wires, buy original wires at the dealer only. They are solid copper, which is why they are very expensive. The aftermarket wires, and even Bosch wires at Pep Boys, are a copper / silicone blend and don't last as long. FWIW, I've read many posts from the techs that original plug wires really never go bad. The thing to do is to just replace the boots.

The Mercedes dealer in Anaheim Hills is Caliber Motors. Remember the jingle on the radio "Caliber Motors in Anaheim Hills..".

I wonder if MB has a shortage on spark plugs wires right now. When Enrique rebuilt my head, I wanted to install new wires, but the dealers are out of stock, they are back ordered, and it will be a couple of months until they are in.

When I contacted Phil, he was out, too. Go figure.

I wish you could've made it to the GTG on Saturday. We had a good time, it was a good turnout, and we ate like pigs! Hopefully you can come to the next one, and we can admire all of the upgrades we've made to our cars.:D

mushedroom 08-12-2002 01:10 PM

hey paul,

is there a DIY on plug/boot replacement?

i basically have a wire that is still connected to the boot but the actual plug came off the wire....(the internal wires are no longer threaded into the plug)....
ugh

suginami 08-12-2002 01:38 PM

I'm having a hard time imagining in my head what's happened, but I know it's been posted before.

Do a search on wires or boots or resistor ends and see what comes up.

Bud 08-12-2002 02:13 PM

Yes, you could get your wires from Fastlane. I've been buying parts from Caliper Motors for a long time and the service has been excellent. Prices are 25% off list. They are an MB dealership and they seem to stock everything or can get the part in a day.

If you are near to California, call Al Trevino in Parts at 1-800-252-8877. The MB Club members used to recommend them and they advertise in the Star.

I live in Arizona and get parts via UPS ground in a couple of days.

Bud

suginami 08-12-2002 02:22 PM

Just for clarity sake, I'd like to mention again that it's Caliber motors, not Caliper.

Bud 08-12-2002 04:01 PM

I stand corrected. I don't know why I keep calling them Caliper.

mushedroom 08-12-2002 04:03 PM

hey bud thanks for the info,
i actually found a shop in the southbay that has them for 155.00
so i'm stoked...thanks again!!!

suginami 08-12-2002 04:03 PM

No big deal. You must have an uncontrollable twitch in your pinkie, and it keeps hitting the 'p' key.

Instead, let your left index finger do the tango, and flick against the 'b' key.

It's a physics problem.


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