I'm attempting to change the plugs in my 98 E320. I got the plugs through Phill at FASTLANE. I've removed the two easiest plug boots (finally) and can see that a regular plug socket can't be used to remove the plugs. I also see that there is a "thinwall" plug socket in the tool kit that came with this car. Is this thinwall socket what those of you who are changing your own plugs are using to perform this service? If so, how do you torque the plugs using this tool? If not, does Mercedes (or somebody) make a thinwall plug socket for this application? Also, how do you ever manage to get the boots off of the plugs in the back of the motor? This car just turned 100K. Thanks for any advice.

Dave M

I've never run into a problem with changing plugs on those engines as I do them quite often. I just use my standard 5/8 plug socket from snap on.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Getting the wires off is quite a chore. Have patience, be careful and DO NOT resort to pliers or to pulling the wires themselves, you will pay for it with a new set of very expensive spark plug connectors. I usually remove the electrical boxes (that's as close as I get to the technical name) from the valve cover to get a bit more clearance. They are the square plastic junction boxes, if I recall they take a torx or hex to remove them. Good luck. Did I mention to have patience?

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64 230sl, my daily driver
94 E500, sold
98 E320, family and dog hauler
04 C240, safe machine for teen drivers, but a poc
08 audi a4, yes we have gone to the dark side

As enochbell suggested remove the coils to allow more room to work and take your time. I also used a regular spark plug socket. Hand tighten the new plugs. I used high temp anti-seeze on the spark plug threads and dielectric greese on the boots to avoid what you are going through the next time I have to replace my plugs.

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Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

What a day! After calling a local Mercedes dealership to see what their guys were using for a plug socket, and going from parts store to parts store looking for a thinwall, I discovered I already had one in my toolbox. It slipped right over the first plug I tried to pull. Man, are they ever tight. It scares me a little because I've broken a plug in a dodge pickup I had once had. I've gotten four boots loose, but I'm still fighting the ones toward the back of the motor. When you remove the coil packs from the cam covers, do you unplug the HT leads at the coil pack, first? Also, do you know the (ft/lb) torque setting on the plugs? I got the anti-seize and the di-electric grease ready to go for the re-install. Now, all I need is the time. Thanks for all the help, so far.

Dave M