Some basic W202 (C230) questions
 

Since no real shop manual is available for the 202s yet, I was wondering if someone could help me with a couple of basic issues:

1. How do you raise the hood to the vertical position? I see latches on both hinges, like my 124, but when I depress both of them, the hood moves slightly past the catch and then stays there. I can't get it to swing all the way up.

2. How do you service the spark plugs? Are they under the center panel on the valve cover?

3. Is the oil filter a cartridge type (not spin-on like the 300Es)? Anything special to it, or is it just - cover off, filter out, replace filter/o-rings, filter in, cover on?

thanks!

-anthony

do you have an mb owners manual for your car-your hood question may be covered in it.

the plugs are indeed under the cover.
this car has direct ignition-there is one coil per cylinder.
your car's tool kit should have a spark plug spanner.

the oil filter is of the paper cartridge type,you have to undo the cover-mercedes benz or fastlane sell a special tool that fits on the cover.also if you look under the diy section of this website under oil filter replacement you will be able to see the oil filter cover location,filter tool and paper cartridge filter in colour pictures.:)

Thanks, I'll have to check the manual again, but I didn't see much info on the hood hinges. I take it the plastic air intake hose has to come off to access the plugs? (it's a '97, sorry didn't mention that before)

Looking forward to doing the oil changes at least! :)

-anthony

Start with the driver's side latch. Pull it back and push the hood up a little until it stops. Go to the passenger side, and open the latch. Raise the hood all the way.

Thanks, I just had a brain freeze b/c the hood would hang-up just past the first stop (unlike my 300E, which doesn't). This time, I pushed up on the hood, and it went all the way vertical.