Engine Type

I have an 89 190E 2.6 Is the six-cylinder engine in it a 103? I read an early comment by Andre in reference to putting in Bosch Platinum spark plugs.

I replaced mine with the same a week ago and have been experiencing serious sluggishness during idle and low rpms. I thought it was the gas I'd switched to (Chevron). I'm trying to determine if the engine is the same (300E in a 190E 2.6) and if the plugs could be my problem.

The plugs I replaced, which were also Platinums, showed no oil residue.

If the engine is a 103 I assume the same rule applies to use regular copper core spark plugs. Thanx.

Your sluggish engine is due to the fact that the wires are the car are resistor, and the platinum plugs are resistor, that's why Mercedes Benz does not recommend platinum plugs. The only MB's having platinum plugs from the factory are to 2000 S Class

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14 yrs experience in MB dealerships, 11 in parts


[This message has been edited by PAULA NORMAN (edited 06-14-99).]

Hi,
The problem with Platinum plugs(even non-resistor ones)is the size of the center electrode. Back in the days when "Platinum" plugs were $18+ each, things were different.The original platinum plugs were for some models of Porsches and worked very well. When Bosch went to the "Mass-Market" platinum plugs and tried to keep the cost under $5 each the plugs ended up having an electrode that was a very small diameter. Its hard to start a fire with a tiny spark.Same thing with the new +4 Platinum plugs, small center electrode. I'm sure they work well in some cars...just not a Mercedes.
Regards,
Randy D.

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W.R.Durrance
ASE Master Tech
Mercedes Tech 19 Years

Use regular old cheap Bosch copper core plugs for the best results!!

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
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