Platinum Plugs take a look - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cam69ss · #1 07-06-2003, 10:13 PM

Hi, Here are some pics from the Bosch platnium plugs out of my 300SE. They have about 80,000 miles on them and the engine has about 195,000 miles. The order from left to right is 1 - #6 Cyl.
I replaced them with non-plat. plugs as they were recommended on this site.

Thnks,
Dan

cam69ss · #2 07-06-2003, 10:13 PM

Pic 2

cam69ss · #3 07-06-2003, 10:14 PM

Pic 3

psfred · #4 07-06-2003, 10:50 PM

They look just about perfect to me. #3,4, and 6 may need new injector seals, they look a bit leaner than the others.

I pulled the +4s on the 300TE before my trip this weekend in an attempt to cure a rough idle problem, but they are going back in.

Peter

william rogers · #5 07-07-2003, 01:47 AM

hope you use a lot of anti sieze, thats a long time to leave plugs in an alum. head........
William Rogers.........

cam69ss · #6 07-07-2003, 10:13 PM

william rogers
I used anti-sieze, they all came out easy.

cam69ss · #7 07-07-2003, 10:14 PM

psfred
I will check the injector seals. I was told I can spay some starter fluid around the injector seals when the engine is running and if the idle speed changes that means I have a bad injector seal. Sound correct?
Dan

psfred · #8 07-07-2003, 10:48 PM

Carb cleaner, brake parts cleaner, or propane from an unlit propane torch all work. Too much carb cleaner can damage the O2 sensor, so don't overdo it!

The only thing wrong with the plugs you took out was worn side electrodes from the milage, the centers look OK -- the great advantage of Platinum plugs. Mine were black and ashy, but it was running very rich (I fixed a bunch of vac leaks, the mixture appears to have been set with them leaking).

The last time I looked for Bosch Coppers for the 300TE I had to special order them, put in the +4s instead, and bought Champions for testing -- they worked fine this weekend on a 1000 mile trip, but will change them back when I get a chance.

Peter

kompressor · #9 07-07-2003, 11:31 PM

how does my plug look ?

since this plug i have gotten a new engine (obviously) and since used platinum plugs also, there the way to go, a couple steps colder also for you blown MB's...

#10 07-08-2003, 07:31 AM

The pictures are much more testimony for engine health than for the superiority of platinum plugs.

As psfred mentioned, the biggest problem is the wide gaps as a result of the high mileage before removal.

Good luck,

stevebfl · #11 07-08-2003, 07:44 AM

I'd guess you use more than a quart of oil to a thousand miles.

But, who knows I have never heard of anyone abusing engine maintenance that badly. I also have never seen those platinums (which are specifically recommended against by MB) last 20k without fouling. You are truly a magician.

cam69ss · #12 07-08-2003, 08:24 AM

stevebfl

I guess you can call me magic Dan,

because those plugs have 78,000 on them. Driven about 90% highway, 100 miles a day in extreme MA weather, 0-100 degree outside temps.

What do you mean by "abusing engine maintenance that badly"??? Most platinum plugs last 100,000 miles without problems, yes they are not great for racing, where plugs are changed every time, but last time I looked my 300SE is not a race car. Also why did you state I use more than a quart of oil every 1000 miles? Did the plugs show you that?

Dan

stevebfl · #13 07-08-2003, 09:01 AM

Engines design plays as much part in extending plug change intervals as does the design of the plug.

The platinum plugs that are stated to go intervals such as you speak are specifically designed to a particular engine and cost anywhere from 3 to 5 times as much as those gimmick platinums. You are real lucky to get that service from those plugs. Use the archives if you don't believe me. BTW I have never seen those plats last till the electrodes wore down as your picture shows. Bosch had some form of gauges to measure it but I had never seen a whole set make it far enough to see it; interesting!

Yes as to the oil consumption. since they have been there so long my guess may be off, but the plugs at the left end show oil carbon on the electrode and insulator.

jsmith · #14 07-08-2003, 09:48 AM

i used those very same plugs in our family van hoping to get approx 2 yrs or 15,000 miles out of them. didn't quite make it that far with the last set as the engine started running poorly. i switched back to NGK's which, as steve points out cost 1/4 the plats....