has anyone had any trouble removing the spark plug wire cap off of the spark plug on thier 124? I tried twisting the cap a little then pulling it but no luck.

Sometimes those metal spark plug wire ends can be uncooperative. Put on a good set of work gloves and pull it off with a twisting rocking motion and it will come off. If you try to use any tools on it you will most likely damage the spark plug wire.
Good Luck.

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1990 190E 2.6
1996 Grand Voyager 3.3
1985 Mustang GT 5.0 5 SPD
1982 Suzuki GS 750T

JDUB is correct, i ruined my old ones taking them out. they are a pain. dont pull from the wires! get as close to the base as possible. if its worth it to you Performance Products sells a tool for removing these wires safely. it costs around $20.00.
good luck!
adam

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Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

How can you judge that your spark plug wires are spoiled!!

when your plugs are hard and begin to crack the silicone its time to replace, its a good idea to replace every 10K to 15K miles. standard tune up.

__________________
Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

does that have any effect on perfomance......do they increase fuel consumption!!!!

do they leak electricity!!

shadi

It causes less efficiency and less combustion. Effect is lower mpg and can cause a loss of power. Side effects are carbon build-up, longer start-up, and erratic idling.

Spark plug wires on MB's last at least 10 years & aren't prone to failure.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

yes I agree, but how can you judge that the spark plug wires needs replacement??

When you break them trying to get them off.

I broke one when it hung up on the top of the spark plug, twisting didn't loosen it, it just unscrewed while it turned. I broke it grabbing it just above the metal part and cracked the plastic insert. The tool is cheeper than a set of plug wires. Now I have five spares.

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5 speed '91 190E 2.6 320,000 mi. (new car, fast, smooth as silk six, couldn't find any more Peugeots)
5 speed '85 Peugeot 505 2.5l Turbo Diesel 266,000 mi. (old car, fast for a diesel, had 2 others)
5 speed '01 Jetta V6 (new wifes car, pretty quick)
5 speed '85 Peugeot 505 2.2l Turbo Gas 197,000 mi. (wifes car, faster, sadly gone just short of 200k )
5 speed '83 Yamaha 750 Maxim 14,000 mi. (fastest)
0 speed 4' x 8' 1800 lb Harbor Freight utility trailer (only as fast as what's pulling it)

MBDOC, I was hoping someone authoritive would tell it like it is. Replacing Ignition Wires like you change engine oil? I replaced my original wires at 145,000 miles and 10 years of service.. I keep the rubber insulators lubed with di-electric grease, and I have no problem when I have to remove one.

MRsilico. How do you tell if the spark plug wires need replacing. Except for the obvious failures i.e. broken or shorting to ground, the Resistance of the wire is measured using a volt/ohm meter. The wires have a known resistance per inch of length and any added resistance indicates a failure. Except for the obvious reasons, you probably wouldn't be able to tell if the wire was bad because the failure is so gradual it just slips upon you. Don't be frightened into replacing your wires without thorough testing. Listen to MBDOC.

Happy Trails Beep Beep from 8mm silicone Houston.