M272 Spark plug arrangement isn't as WIS says.

Conor

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Hi Guys,

This is a super confusing one for me, and I can find nothing online. Basically everything I can find online regarding my car shows that the coils for each spark plug sit atop the plug, with the coil and connector to plug being all one. Simples.

But for my car, it seems the coil sits separately to the actual plug. and the coil is connected to the plug via a cable... in an arrangement that looks similar to the M112/M113 engines...

Anyway, i'm super confused because:

A) Why does my engine look different to everybody else? Do I have a different engine to what I think lol
B) How do I go about getting at these plugs? I remember seeing some video online about the guy having to jack up the engine to get at them.. :shock:

Do I need to get one of those offset tools for access to pull the plugs, I'm frustrated now as I was gonna buy one but did think I needed..

Any idea?

First pic is what I expected to see, and second is what I have:

iOOvUjM.jpg IMG_20191102_113755.jpg
 

Uncle Benz

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It's because you have the later direct injection motor. It works much like a common rail Diesel engine. Buzzwords like stratified injection. The result, more controlled combustion, lower emissions and better fuel economy. What's not to like? Reality is, they are a little bit rarer than the old fashioned version, hence your google confusion
 
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Conor

Conor

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It's because you have the later direct injection motor. It works much like a common rail Diesel engine. Buzzwords like stratified injection. The result, more controlled combustion, lower emissions and better fuel economy. What's not to like? Reality is, they are a little bit rarer than the old fashioned version, hence your google confusion

Agreed.. That satisfies my suspicion. My initial concerns were the engine might have been swapped for another v6, which turned out to be unlikely.

Question is how do I access the plugs.. Just a regular offset spanner?

I must investigate and see how many of these engines were made.

Either way I should probably document the exercise well.
 
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Conor

Conor

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Plan of action for today is to further degrease the engine and then get it up to temperature to dry off..

I have abandoned the spark plug change until at lease next weekend as I need to get some more definitive information (and possibly tools).

I think i'm going to have cast a wider net on forums to see if I can find somebody familiar with this engine.
 
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Conor

Conor

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Ok...

So I have been doing some more digging:

Malcolm (Television) mentioned here that the engine variant is 272.982 - which then lead me to (via Google) the attached document which outlines the process for my engine, with images that match my engine. Result - thanks you Malcolm :)

In the document, there is reference to the special tools required for the job. I need to source a puller to remove the plugs, then a wrench, to remove unscrew the plugs. I guess there are some aftermarket wrenches that could work, but I have a hunch that the sizing of this one is just perfect.

Regarding grease:

* I will use silicon grease on the spark plug plastic component, where the connected meets the plug
* Do I need to use anything on the thread of plug?

Down around where the plug is, is very dirty, would be quite dirty I imagine. I would be apprehensive to just remove/replace the plugs as is as I would be afraid something might enter the engine. I don't have any compressed air to blow it. How would you go about it?
 

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rifiki

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Some time ago I changed the spark plugs on M272 CLK. Pull off the plastic air filter housing. Unscrew the coil using Torx or Phillips screw driver, I can't remember which. Pull out the coil and unscrew the plug the usual way. the coil pack has a seal and should be no down the plug hole.
 

LostKiwi

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Down around where the plug is, is very dirty, would be quite dirty I imagine. I would be apprehensive to just remove/replace the plugs as is as I would be afraid something might enter the engine. I don't have any compressed air to blow it. How would you go about it?
No spare tyre and piece of tubing?
 

Oldspanners

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On my M271 which has easier access admittedly, once I've just turned the plug slightly to loosen any dirt/corrosion I use a vacuum cleaner.
 
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Some time ago I changed the spark plugs on M272 CLK. Pull off the plastic air filter housing. Unscrew the coil using Torx or Phillips screw driver, I can't remember which. Pull out the coil and unscrew the plug the usual way. the coil pack has a seal and should be no down the plug hole.

To be honest, I think that you might have missed the main point in the original post. The issue is that I have the CGI variant of 272 engine which is shown in the second photo. It's quite difficult to get to the plug, as it's not attached to the coil

No spare tyre and piece of tubing?

Huh? What's this for?

On my M271 which has easier access admittedly, once I've just turned the plug slightly to loosen any dirt/corrosion I use a vacuum cleaner.

I think that the other engines are easier than this the M112/3 look easier even.

I'm going to call MB now and look at getting the OEM tools. Mainly because I just cannot get any info any where online, except for the wis documents outlining the OEM tools.
 
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Conor

Conor

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Fit tubing to spare tyre and presto - compressed air....

Brilliant - that's what I thought you may be referring to - great idea. In practice does this work well?
 

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The VW Beetle used to use the pressure from the spare tyre for the windscreen washer. Just don’t use it too much or your tyre will be flat...
 
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Right, here's a quick update - just got off the phone with MB Chelsea parts dept.

Tools and prices:
  1. Spark plug boot puller - part: 272 589 01 33 00 - £85.97 inc. VAT - Special order from Germany
  2. Spark plug wrench (12 point socket) - part: 278 589 00 09 00 - £66.14 inc. VAT - Readily available
  3. Spark plug wrench (6 point socket) - part: 112 589 01 09 00 - £72.12 inc. VAT - Special order from Germany
I have gleaned some pictures from the internet.. The most difficult tool to acquire is the puller (1), which is specific to the 350 CGI I believe.. according to this link (Baum Tools). This will be a special order from Germany and I think I will just pull the trigger on that.

I am inclined to believe that I may get another tool similar (2) or (3) but, I am anxious that these might not fit perfectly so may just go ahead and order them also. I say them because the WIS document says I need (3) to access the plugs but the plugs I have purchased for the engine require (3). It's a major PITA.

In any case.. I guess that the cost of these tools will still make the job cheaper than paying somebody to do it. I imagine it will be a pig of a job so will probably result in a few hours labour I imagine.

(1) Puller - Seems to be specific to E350 CGI engine
278 589 01 33 00.jpg

(2) Spark plug wrench - 12 Sided
278 589 00 09 00.jpg

(3) Spark plug wrench - 6 Sided
112 589 01 09 00.jpg

Oh sod it.. I feel like maybe i'll just call up Mr Benz and order all 3.
 

rifiki

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you
The VW Beetle used to use the pressure from the spare tyre for the windscreen washer. Just don’t use it too much or your tyre will be flat...

You were lucky, windscreen washers was an optional extra.
 

JBell

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Right, here's a quick update - just got off the phone with MB Chelsea parts dept.

Tools and prices:
  1. Spark plug boot puller - part: 272 589 01 33 00 - £85.97 inc. VAT - Special order from Germany
  2. Spark plug wrench (12 point socket) - part: 278 589 00 09 00 - £66.14 inc. VAT - Readily available
  3. Spark plug wrench (6 point socket) - part: 112 589 01 09 00 - £72.12 inc. VAT - Special order from Germany
I have gleaned some pictures from the internet.. The most difficult tool to acquire is the puller (1), which is specific to the 350 CGI I believe.. according to this link (Baum Tools). This will be a special order from Germany and I think I will just pull the trigger on that.

I am inclined to believe that I may get another tool similar (2) or (3) but, I am anxious that these might not fit perfectly so may just go ahead and order them also. I say them because the WIS document says I need (3) to access the plugs but the plugs I have purchased for the engine require (3). It's a major PITA.

In any case.. I guess that the cost of these tools will still make the job cheaper than paying somebody to do it. I imagine it will be a pig of a job so will probably result in a few hours labour I imagine.

(1) Puller - Seems to be specific to E350 CGI engine
View attachment 53760

(2) Spark plug wrench - 12 Sided
View attachment 53759

(3) Spark plug wrench - 6 Sided
View attachment 53758

Oh sod it.. I feel like maybe i'll just call up Mr Benz and order all 3.

With those prices I would just pay someone to do it for me, that is ridiculous!!!!

I bet there is an easier way as well, an Indy will probably do it in 30 mins
 
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malcolm E53 AMG

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When were they last changed - is it running ok - do they really need doing? I would imagine that you don’t do a great mileage so is it worth it spark plugs are pretty robust nowadays
 

Oldspanners

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Right, here's a quick update - just got off the phone with MB Chelsea parts dept.

Tools and prices:
  1. Spark plug boot puller - part: 272 589 01 33 00 - £85.97 inc. VAT - Special order from Germany
  2. Spark plug wrench (12 point socket) - part: 278 589 00 09 00 - £66.14 inc. VAT - Readily available
  3. Spark plug wrench (6 point socket) - part: 112 589 01 09 00 - £72.12 inc. VAT - Special order from Germany
I have gleaned some pictures from the internet.. The most difficult tool to acquire is the puller (1), which is specific to the 350 CGI I believe.. according to this link (Baum Tools). This will be a special order from Germany and I think I will just pull the trigger on that.

I am inclined to believe that I may get another tool similar (2) or (3) but, I am anxious that these might not fit perfectly so may just go ahead and order them also. I say them because the WIS document says I need (3) to access the plugs but the plugs I have purchased for the engine require (3). It's a major PITA.

In any case.. I guess that the cost of these tools will still make the job cheaper than paying somebody to do it. I imagine it will be a pig of a job so will probably result in a few hours labour I imagine.

(1) Puller - Seems to be specific to E350 CGI engine
View attachment 53760

(2) Spark plug wrench - 12 Sided
View attachment 53759

(3) Spark plug wrench - 6 Sided
View attachment 53758

Oh sod it.. I feel like maybe i'll just call up Mr Benz and order all 3.
http://mbspecialist.fr/mercedes_webcatalog/item/272589013300O/
Boot puller on this site €31 plus postage.
I'd try an ordinary double depth plug spanner with a wobble bar and/or universal joint.
 

Tony Dyson

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You could try looking for a 'Chuffer' upload_2019-11-5_9-24-11.jpeg an essential tool working in remote locations 40 something Years ago, although I dread to think what effect it would have on a modern day car's electronic control systems? :confused:
 
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Conor

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When were they last changed - is it running ok - do they really need doing? I would imagine that you don’t do a great mileage so is it worth it spark plugs are pretty robust nowadays

You Sir, are talking a lot of sense here.. Plugs were last done at 146k miles in October 2016. So technically there is a bit of time yet. So that was 47k miles / 3 years ago.

I guess they don't really need to be done. It was just that during the summer when I buying other service bits I bought the plugs too. Perhaps I will sort out the oil leak first then revert back to the plugs.

http://mbspecialist.fr/mercedes_webcatalog/item/272589013300O/
Boot puller on this site €31 plus postage.
I'd try an ordinary double depth plug spanner with a wobble bar and/or universal joint.

That is a very decent website and the part is a great price - I never came across it on Google. THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I may as well just buy that. You are also correct re spanner. I think I probably don't need the MB OEM tool for this.

You could try looking for a 'Chuffer' View attachment 53764 an essential tool working in remote locations 40 something Years ago, although I dread to think what effect it would have on a modern day car's electronic control systems? :confused:

Interesting.. I need to look more into this.

UPDATE on original post. I finally remember to open up my eBay WIS on my Windows computer and it does provide some decent info on this CGI engine.. so the title is kinda wrong now. There is always a price to being lazy and this time around it is me looking like a fool.. :rolleyes:

When I get around to doing the plugs I will post a full DIY guide.
 
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