spark plugs/Brake fluid

[johnrr]

Can anyone tell me what the correct Bosch spark plugs are for my 1995 E320 (W124) The E class owners bible says FD8C4, my local accesory dealer agrees, but Eurocarparts insists they should be F9DCO's for a cat-equiped car.
Also does anyone know what the difference is between Dot4 and dot 5 brake fluid? What advantage if any is there in using the latter?

 

[dieselman]

Can't help on the plugs, but brake fluid..aha!

The car was designed to use Dot 4, but if you regularly drive the car hard or live in mountainous terrain then upgrade to Dot 5.1 as it has a higher allowable heat rating.

DO NOT USE Dot 5. This is Silicone and MAY damage the seals in the system. All adverts for silicone brake fluid state you will never need to change your brake fluid again. BAD IDEA!

Polyglycol brake fluid is DESIGNED to absorb moisture deliberately, to draw water away from the brake seals. If you use silicone fluid you may well suffer perrished seals and sticking callipers. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

 

[Andy]

Hi

The plugs are indeed F8DC4, add an "O" If you won't the suppressor type. Otherwise the same plugs. Don't let em give you anything else.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[sunil sood]

Andy,

the 0 in the spark plugs-you say this is the suppresser type-what is the function of the suppresser in the spark plug?
my bosch spark plug manual says 0 stands for deviation from basic version whatever that means.
Having looked at a bosch w7dco plug and compared it with a w7dc plug ,the only obvious difference noted was a fatter central electrode on the 0 type plug.

i know that that R stands for resister which prevents noise on the radio.

Sunil

 

[leith]

Brake fluid: Pure silicone (not silicone based) is a rubber preservative and lubricant. Dow Corning gave me some experimental pure silicone fluid to try in around 1971 and that(now unavailable) or any other pure silicone fluid has graced my road cars, race cars and motor-cycles ever since.....and no, I do not change it and hydraulic problems have been history. The stuff's far too expensive for a manufacturer producing millions of vehicles but GM and Chrysler recommend(ed) it in the USA. where folk sue at the drop of a hat or a leaking brake.

Advantages: Does not damage paint. Does not absorb water and thus prevents fluid boiling from half-bled brake fluid changes where the watery fluid from the reservoir which is open to the air on many vehicles can get down to the calipers and can boil, plus it is a natural rubber preservative/lubricant and calipers and caliper pistons will not rust internally from watery fluid. One of motoring's really great "lost causes".

Caution: I have not tried it on ABS systems.