Mercedes Workshop 'tools' query?

[Veridian]

As my E430 is approaching a 60,000 mile point, Im planning on changing the plugs - all 16 of em:???:! With that in mind I popped into MB World this afternoon and ordered the Merc Spark plug socket - £29.08 inc VAT!! - could I have done it with something from Hellfords? - maybe, but Ive read differing stories - even the guy in GSF this afternoon said he's heard of mechanics only bothering to change the front 8 plugs as the back 8 are too much of a hassle to change..What am I letting myself in for

At MB world, I also enquired about a Gearbox dipstick - that rocks up at £37!! - Has anyone bougth one of these? is it worth it! - The guy at the counter did point out that it was very long.... like that makes a difference to its value ... at about £1 an inch . but I guess its the only way to find out gearbox levels, good ol' Mercedes.

 

[television]

That dip stick is expensive Steve,, last year they were £23

A tip to get the spark caps off,, use an open ended spanner over the rocker cover and leaver them off,,if you pull them you can break the wires

 

[Veridian]

Hi Malcolm, I thought it was a bit steep - I mean, it's only a dipstick!! Thanks for the tip, I'm hoping to change out the HT leads too as the cars done 124K so a new set would not go a miss, as Id inevitably snap an HT lead with the headache of tracking down which ones gone!
I also managed to also pick up a pair of 'hardly used' coil packs from Ebay for £20 each a month back, always handy to have a spare or 2 about.

Cheers

 

[television]

Coil packs are funny things and handy to have as spares, the V6 can eat them, not so may problems on the V8 but you never know.

With the price of the tools,,could it be that the refusing to sell tools to the public has hit a sour note, so they have doubled the price instead,,I know that if challenged in court MB cant refuse you any tools

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
I would be interested to know how you get on regarding changing the plugs as i have to do my C43 soon, any tips and wether the MB spark plug spanner helped would be appreciated.
You can make a dipstick out of curtain wire, the level measurements to mark on it are posted on here somewhere.

 

[Veridian]

Hi Andy,
Ill let you and the forum know how it goes.. will try in the coming weeks. waiting for a warm(ish) dry day and need to order the leads!! I guess yours being a C-class will be even more of a squeeze

Ill search out the curtain wire thread!.. Mrs Veridian has plenty of that knocking about!
Cheers

 

[Veridian]

Further to the above, just spotted these on Ebay.. for lead removal
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...=CRX&its=S%2BI%2BSS&itu=ISS%2BUCI%2BSI&otn=12

and cheaper dipsticks

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merc...177QQhashZitem370090756334QQitemZ370090756334

 

[television]

The curtain wire dipstick is incorrect as the original has a stop, and does not go to the bottom of the sump, if you use it with out you will under fill

I will post the measurements tomorrow

 

[Veridian]

Thanks Malcolm!
Ill also need to dig my 17mm spanner by the looks of it .. things once more being cheaper in the USA. Ill put the money save towards decent HT leads LOL!!

 

[C220GJS]

Don't know if it's of interest to anyone but this is a comprehensive list of MB special tools;http://www.mercedesshop.com/diy/mb_tools/mb_tools.php ; handy to see what they look like and maybe make your own.

 

[silvio13]

Hi, as were on the topic of spark plugs, my 1982, 380 SEC needs them changing but i cant get the damn things unscrewed, god knows how long they have been there, any advice on lubricants as im going to be messing with high voltage, dont want a car fire

 

[television]

Are you using a good quality socket to do the job

 

[nickcc101]

I bought dipstick last year off ebay USA seller. Cost app £20 and is the MB workshop tool.

 

[kebo57]

The curtain wire dipstick is incorrect as the original has a stop, and does not go to the bottom of the sump, if you use it with out you will under fill

I will post the measurements tomorrow

Hi Malc how are you, good to see you back
I took this picture but never got round to posting
It shows the dip stick as deep as it will go
Kevin

 

[lulu]

Malcolm,

You mention the dipstick has a stop (I presume this is 'A' in your photo). All other posts I've come across refer to the dipstick touching the bottom with the measurements being from the bottom.
Does the dipstick coincidentally touch the bottom at the same time or 'hover' a small distance above? Would you know what the differences are? Do you have the measurements to make a correct homemade dipstick?

Thanks
Lulu (slightly worried using a homemade dipstick!)

 

[television]

Malcolm,

You mention the dipstick has a stop (I presume this is 'A' in your photo). All other posts I've come across refer to the dipstick touching the bottom with the measurements being from the bottom.
Does the dipstick coincidentally touch the bottom at the same time or 'hover' a small distance above? Would you know what the differences are? Do you have the measurements to make a correct homemade dipstick?

Thanks
Lulu (slightly worried using a homemade dipstick!)

Colechelle tested a home made one against the real thing and he said that it was spot on, so please ignore the above.

Some dip stick tube may have a stop but its all unclear and I accept Colechelle as his info is spot on

 

[lulu]

It was my homemade one he tested!!!
We only looked at the 25deg and 80deg marks from the bottom of the dipstick (which were the same) and not from the stop.
I might still be measuring short!

(I'm sure Cole will be along soon!)

Lulu

 

[television]

It was my homemade one he tested!!!
We only looked at the 25deg and 80deg marks from the bottom of the dipstick (which were the same) and not from the stop.
I might still be measuring short!

(I'm sure Cole will be along soon!)

Lulu

I will put up the measurements in the morning for the works one if that will help