Simple solutions

[rayhennig]

Well, the old 300ce-24 has topped 300K Kms and is basically fine. However, it has recently exhibited a bit of increased cranking to start, lumpy idling and the odd misfire.

As far as I can see, 3 of the plug leads are original. I am certain that, aside from plugs, NONE of the ignition components have been changed in the 160 K Kms I've owned the car.

Anyway, I looked back in my records and found that the plugs haven't been changed since 2001 at about 200 K Kms!

As my wife was going to the big city, she visited MB and picked up six new Mercedes plugs (Bosch F7 DPP 332 R1 586 - whatever that means). I had told her that they would be about 2 or 3 Euro each. She returned 86 Euro lighter!!!!

The upside, however, is that it now starts like a good 'un, idles like new and seems to have been generally rejuvinated.

So, simple solution, 86 Euro and away we go!!

RayH

 

[television]

Its so easy to forget them these days, its great that the car runs well at 200k miles. I see the prices are going up for these cars now

 

[kth286]

rayhennig

You have purchased the wrong plugs.

I guess you did not give your wife the VIN for the car, so that the parts person could give you the correct plugs.

You were correct in your original assumption that the correct plugs would cost 2.86 Euros.

You have probably been given the expensive plugs for the later engines which use 2 plugs per cylinder.

Your plugs should be the Bosch F8DC4 (or very similar) and are indeed available at Mercedes dealers at the cost stated above.

I do not know how those plugs will affect your engine over the longer term, as they might be totally the wrong heat range for your car.

 

[rayhennig]

kth286: Wrong plugs???

Hello,

An interesting ppint that.

I have the invoice from the plugs I bought in 2001 (they were about 110 Euro then!) and they were supplied against my VIN because the MB agent supplied the car and knows me well.

This time, my wife gave them my VIN (here in France, MB does NOTHING without the VIN) and then relieved her of 86 Euro.

When I installed the new plugs (yesterday the 27th Sept 2007) I compared them with the old (after nearly 100 K Kms). Exactly the same plug but smaller gap on the new ones.

The colour of the old plugs was "textbook perfect" so that eased the pain of the 86 Euro.

But yes, kth286, I did expect the usual standard Bosch plugs. I must say, however, that they have worked like a dream for the last 6 years and 100K Kms.

Does anyone know what these super-costly plugs consist of?

Thanks for comments, one and all.

RayH

 

[stevesey]

Platinum .