Changing spark plugs

[Joreysdad]

Will be changing my 1999 ML430 spark plugs shortly as I'm coming up to 100k and have no record of them being changed, plus some rough running issues which are ongoing.

Can anyone give me any advice on this - seems fairly straightforward but I'm sure there is something I need to know or should know to make the job easier.

Many Thanks in Advance

 

[colechelle]

just give yourself an hour or two to do them, apart from that there ok to do!!!

 

[jibcl500]

Took me 2 hours on a CLK 430 !!!! easy enough to do and amazing how bad the old plugs look compared to the new ones, dont forget you need 16 of em.
ML would be tougher with it being taller.

jib

 

[television]

Do not pull the caps off, lever them off over the top of the engine with an open ended spanner

 

[Joreysdad]

Thanks guys

 

[turnipsock]

Get a magnetic spark plug socket, it makes it really easy to take them out and put them in.

 

[Joreysdad]

Did the job this morning Thank you for tips, especially malcolm's without which I am sure I would have broken several leads.

A few notes for those thinking of doing same job, in addition to basic tools you ideally need :-

Three hours to do the job (two to do it actual job and one to curse at injuries to hands, forearms and the stupidly tight spaces you have to get to)

Three arms, one of which should be as small as a baby's, but as strong as a gorilla's, failing this more cursing and injuries will ensue.

A step to stand on (with the ML anyhoo) to get high enough to level the caps off the plugs - bearing in mind it's virtually impossible to get an angle that works with the 17mm spanner unless you have double joints in all of your knuckles and elbows and the aforementioned extra arm

Still, saved the money I would have had to pay someone to do the job so i'm a happy chappy going down the pub with a lot more folding beer tokens to spend