Spark Plug Change Intervals C230K
 

Hey guys,

Looking at my service booklet its saying to change the spark plugs approx 40,000kms or so on the W202 C230K engines....why so soon? Its been done and stamped from MB as done from the previous owner at that mileage. I havent done them since I got the car and now it has 100,000kms but its running great!

Why would I need to change them and should i?

Replacing the plugs at the recommended schedule keeps the engine operating at its optimum, even if it's running well now. Spark plugs are not expensive.

The more important point is that replacement will prevent the plugs from getting seized and causing major problems later.

If you do replace them, use copper-based anti-seize paste on installation.

It is VERY important to use the OE spec plugs. Many owners "upgraded" the plugs and experienced a great deal of grief. MB knew what they were doing when they spec'd a certain plug.

So you can get them out of the head without stripping the threads. With an aluminum head time is probably more important then mileage.

Better do them soon...was planning to now in Jan after the holidays. It will be at a 50,000km interval since the last change.

I change mine ( same car as yours ) every 50 k km.
Use Bosch F7KTCR plugs.
No need to gap them ( they are triple electrode plugs ).
Use a LITTLE anti-seize on the threads and a LITTLE die-electric grease inside the plugboots.
Blow out the holes where the plugs are BEFORE you remove them. ;)

Any noticeable improvement when they are changed?

No, just a warm/fuzzy feeling. :D
That's why it's called preventive maintenance.
I don't make it a habit to let my vehicles deteriorate to a point where my mileage, startability, driveability or reliability suffer.
That may explain why i've only stood at the side of the road ( waiting for a towtruck ) once in 30 years. ;)
Come to think of it,......I was driving a Ford at the time. :D

No im the same Manny. Everything has been done on this car before it had a chance to break and Im gonna do the plugs now but just wondered why the C230K needed it done earlier than most cars.

With preventative maintenance, not the slightest thought of being stranded with this car came to mind. :)

Supercharged & turbocharged cars tend to be a little more demanding on sparkplugs.
Just the nature of the beast. ;)

My car (and Manny's I think) are not Kompressor models, and I know at least mine specifies plugs at 40k as well.

I'm curious to see them when I pull them next. About another 20k miles. I've been running nothing but Shell V-power since I changed them last. Wonder if they will be less corroded as an indicator of better gas? Might be interesting.

Anyhow, I was scared of keeping this car past warranty, and I don't know why. $300 in repairs in the last 40k. I do all my maintenance ahead of time, like Manny. I can't imagine this thing would leave me stranded, unless it was some catastrophic, unpreventable failure.

But we are straying from the subject

Thanks for the advice guys! No wonder I keep turning back to this forum.....so DAMN knowledgable. :)

Merry Xmas!

Look at my sign. ;)

Doh!
 

For some reason my memory told me yours was a 98.

Still, mine is 40k as well