leviohanenye

Next week, I want to change the oil/oil filter, spark plugs, clean the throttle body, and run a can of seafoam through her. Is that too much for one day. Which one do you suggest I do first, which one last? Also, is torquing down the spark plugs necessary? I also have read online that sometimes after cleaning the throttle body, the car is hard to start. Should I look forward to that on this model? And as far as the throttle body is concerned, how do I clean it without removing it since its vertically mounted and the gunk won't fall straight out? And one more question, is running a can of Lucas fuel cleaner through the tank recommended after all of this.

Colin Frolick

I'd do the seafoam and fuel treatments first. Stuff like that may dilute/contaminate the motor oil, so then you change it.

if you've ever run seafoam thru a car... that will make it hard to start ;-). the big cloud of smoke afterwards sure is fun though.

how dirty is the throttle body? maybe you can clean it by hand with a rag and some solvent. if it's really dirty your air filters or pcv may be letting in dirt and oil, which would be another problem.

alot of spark plugs with crush washers say to snug them up and then give another ~1/2 turn. no torque wrench needed. hopefully you have the 'feel' for it, just be careful as you certainly can strip the threads in an aluminum head.

happy wrenching

or here's a read on tightening spark plugs http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinf...stallation.asp

leviohanenye

Thanks! Now would it make sense for me to sea foam it before, and then change oil, then wait for it to get cold to change plugs then fill up and add some lucas injector cleaner to finish it off. Also, the throttle body isnt that dirty at all, I just wanted to make sure that everything is clean so that it can run like new again.

leviohanenye

I think I'll just bypass the seafoam this service and do it the next oil change. I'll just clean the throttle body, then change the spark plugs and finnaly, change my oil and filter. Does that sound like an appropriate sequence?

leviohanenye

Or what do you think? Is running seafoam a good idea before I change oil and spark plugs? If I put seafoam in the crankcase, after the car stops smoking, is ti safe to change the oil right after? Then let it sit and change spark plugs?

leviohanenye

One more question, where is my vaccum line? so that i can add the other 1/3 of seafoam.

cm60k

It's not necessary to do seafoam, if no smokes & not that much dix/carbon in Exhaust,

you can change spark plugs any time, it's not related to oil change, just be sure you don't have oil leak that can sneaks to the plugs,,

did you change the oil recently..?, or being long time..??

ZAYED,,

leviohanenye

Well its just that I read seafoam is good for high mileage engines (173500 miles). They claim that it cleans them so good blah blah and for 8 dollars im willing to try it. The other alternative is the Lucas Injector Cleaner. I dont know which one ranks supreme, but I know that it needs some type of cleaning. I think that the plugs need changing, its been missing, hesitating and cutting off. Oil was changed probably in 2012 last, but we have only put about 500 miles on it in thr year we've owned it. In the sticker it says replace oil on 11/23/13, and at 175183. We just never reached the mileage so we never bothered to change it but I know it needs changing.

leviohanenye

Also, I have a half-a-tank of gas. How would this work for the Lucas? Do I use 1/4 of a bottle (7 gallons, 1.5 ounces?

cm60k

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=seafoam

leviohanenye

Thank you! I see now that people are saying that with seafoam im at a risk of hydrolocking the engine. Is that true?

cm60k

I heard about this once, but not sure about it,

Seafoam is NOT a chemical, it's a blended Petroleum product, used for reducer and moisture dryer in any oil crankcase(as cleaner Formula),,

some experience guys NOT prefer to use it in old motors..!!

ZAYED,,

leviohanenye

I think that I will stick with MB Fuel System Cleaner (Techron). I have half a tank of techron gas right now. When I go back out, can I pick up a bottle of Techron Cleaner and fill up the vehicle, add a bottle of Cleaner and change the plugs when I get home? Will the gunk from the fuel system cleaner make it onto the plugs? I'm not sure which one to do, but I don't want to drive the car too much (needs an oil change/spark plug) to burn the tank down then burn off the gas. Does that make sense? Basically can I change spark plugs then run techron cleaner?

MTI

Not use SeaFoam in older motors? That's not my experience where I've used in in M102 and M103 engines that had over 100K miles on them.

leviohanenye

Okay, so do you suggest it as a fuel system treatment? I can't really drive it that far, so the driving it had option is not an option honestly. Thats why I was leaning towards the techron.

leviohanenye

I am considering just using seafoam as the gas add on. I'll get the car up to about 1/2 a tank of gas. I can get a bottle of seafoam, then I'll clean the throttle body, then I will drive about 20 miles on the HWY, and burn the gas to see what is going on after the seafoam. Does that sound like a plan?

MTI

Frankly, I would just use a good detergent fuel, like Shell, Chevron . . . even Costco, which are "Top Tier" rated detergent fuels. I've used SeaFoam using the vacuum soak method to help clear out cars that were stored or had symptoms of intake problems.

ptcruiser

Just found this comment on the web.
It answers a question you had

Here is a trick when it comes to filling pouring your new oil into the engine. The Mercedes oil filler opening is not that large so it is easier to just use the filter housing as the place to pour your oil in.
Be sure the filter in not in the filter housing when you do this

MTI

Or use a plastic funnel.

I hope he checked if he has a dipstick.