changing spark plugs

[W77]

I want to change the spark plugs myself as it costs more than a £100 for getting it change from a dealer. Does it need a tune up after changing them? Which brand should I get? car is C180

Thanks.

 

[satcure]

Not sure what you mean by "tune up". Changing spark plugs is part of a normal service. Just make sure that you do the rest of the items that would normally be included in the service. Also check the spark gaps are correct before fitting.

Obviously you are safest with genuine Mercedes replacements but most German manufacturers get them from Bosch, I believe, so Bosch should be fine.

 

[tom7035]

--- and take care not to 'cross-thread' them when fitting if you've never changed plugs before, easily done on an aluminium cylinder head! Ensure they screw well into the plugholes first using only your fingers before final tightening with a PROPER plug socket. (Don't OVER-tighten). Also take care not to allow any dirt to fall into the cylinders after removing the plugs.

Cheers, Tom.

 

[pluggers]

They are a doddle to change and cost less than £2 each from the dealer,What you will need is a 10mm plug spanner.

 

[W77]

Thanks guys. Mine was just serviced by Merc 2 weeks ago but the plugs weren't changed because they're charging me more than £100 on top of the £400 cost of service. So I decided that I should just do it myself. Don't you think that the timing might change?

 

[SLinKyjoe]

shoving new plugs in wont alter anything.

 

[tom7035]

W77. It is fairly obvious car mechanics is not your forte. Can I suggest, with respect, that you solicit the aid of a friend, work colleague, next-door neighbour or someone who has done it before. 'Pluggers' said it was a doddle and he is right, but only if you know how to do it! Any D.I.Y. mechanic would be pleased to help you for the price of a couple of pints I'm sure.
Cheers, Tom.

 

[W77]

thanks Tom. I have changed spark plugs before, but it was for a VW Golf. Im just wondering if it is the same method. Somebody in the forum mentioned about electronic plugs, which ones are these?

 

[jberks]

just do the same as you did in the golf, making sure you set the gap correctly.

 

[SUE.]

If you can tie your own laces yourself,you must be able to change a set of spark plugs.
I have been able to do plugs since i was 14 years old.
Why would it need a tune up after fitting plugs,You have not altered any settings.
Go for it and fit them ,next week you will be changing your own oil and filter.

 

[Paul Buck]

ever tried changing the plugs on a V6 CLK.... All 12 of them! NOT easy.........

 

[lofty]

lofty

If your using triple electrode plugs they are pre set at the factory, we have just had a long discussion with Bosch over plugs for the 'A' Class had great difficulty getting the pre set gap measurement from Bosch, stroppy germans would give it to us at all, Bosch UK came clean, even MB wouldn't give to us it turns out even they don't know the + - tolerance placed on the on the manufacturer Bosch so whether the plugs are of mechanable quality is debatable The 'A' Class plug is gapped at 1mm, if you want to read the complete thread go to :- www.baby-benz.com New plugs tec forum, it makes for quite interesting reading.
lofty

 

[lofty]

lofty

Sue you make it sound easy and it is if you have been doing that long it is, mind you you didn't say how old you are now 16? One of the biggest hazards is cross threading in ali heads, normally caused by not starting the thread of by hand or at least a socket and short bar always start by winding the plug back a quarter of a turn the feel for the thread, never force or you are in for real trouble, Take your time and you saved £60.00 hurry the job and it will cost you twice that to sort out the problem.which might if involve fitting a helicoil.
lofty

 

[paulcallender]

What model is it? Being not too tall, I had a real stuggle reaching over the wing, or from the front of the car, to reach the 6th plug on my 280CE. I had to kneel almost completely on the engine to reach it!

 

[tom7035]

Paul, as W77 said on his original post, it's a C180.

 

[SUE.]

Sue you make it sound easy and it is if you have been doing that long it is, mind you you didn't say how old you are now 16? One of the biggest hazards is cross threading in ali heads, normally caused by not starting the thread of by hand or at least a socket and short bar always start by winding the plug back a quarter of a turn the feel for the thread, never force or you are in for real trouble, Take your time and you saved £60.00 hurry the job and it will cost you twice that to sort out the problem.which might if involve fitting a helicoil.
lofty

No i am now 26, and fitting plugs is not a big job even for a girl.

 

[W77]

Thanks for all your replies, great help. One more thing, as I'm waiting for a better weather to change it, most of you mentioned something about the "gap". I'm planning to use Bosch and what is the right gap that I should consider? When I di it before on my Golf, I just fit it in straightaway. It worked though.

 

[lofty]

loft

I agree with you Sue it's not a big job, but get a plug cross threaded because of a lack of guidance and it can cost big bucks. The most important thing is when initially applying the plug to the head start the screwing process by hand, or with a 10mm plug socket on the end of a short bar NO WRENCH and make sure the new plug is aligned, because the plugs are recessed on the ?A? Class its impossible to fit them entirely by hand unless of course you have E.T. like fingers, not forgetting to tighten and torque.
lofty

 

[pascal]

Lofty's right

always start by winding the plug back a quarter of a turn the feel for the thread

I always turn threaded parts anticlockwise first, 'till the end of the female thread clicks over the end of the male thread, to find its seating, whether spark plugs or compression fittings in plumbing. A plumber explained that to me when I was a kid, and it works everytime.

Pascal

 

[LNM]

Pascal

Thats a piece if advice we should all follow: very, very simple and a huge risk reducer.