contact148

whats the easy way to reinstall the plug wires

they are REALLY hard to get all the way on

the plugs themselves were easy its just installing the damm boots!!!

mleskovar

For some reason the plugs I put in had connectors ever so slightly larger than the ones I took out. Both were OEM. I ended up taking one of the new plugs out and using it to force the connectors open on all the plug wires while I had them out and in hand. Boot lubricant also helps.

ericgoh

It takes a while to get the hang of it, but it's not too bad once you figure it out. I find that gentle wiggling while pushing will get the alignment just right so you get that nice confirmation click. Definitely takes some finger strength though.

Good luck!

ohlord

wire on the plug,turn your 17mm boot tool the opposite direction you used to lever the boot off and using your hand as the leverage point gently pop the boot back on.Instead of under the metal collar you are pushing from the outer side of the collar. Easy

kaminskindy

Found this Socket Tool on eBay Motors & also avl on Amazon for ~$7.00, and am waiting for it to arrive: K Tool 22521 5/8" x 3/8" drive

ND2020

Bumping this thread instead of creating a new one...

Went to the dealer and bought some spark plugs for my '04 C320 Sport with my $100 coupon and they gave me plugs based off of my VIN. The part number for the plugs is:

A 004 159 50 03 64

Now my question, these are obviously a different part number and the tips are gold instead of the silver/platinum. A google search yields little to nothing on this part number, rmeuropean does not have it listed for my model, and parts.com, and trademotion of Ft. Lauderdale are dead ends. Are these plugs safe to use or should I consider going back and trying to exchange them? They have a Mercedes logo on the plugs themselves and nowhere on the plug or the boxes does it say NGK or Bosch, etc.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

vdubpower

how often do plugs need to be changed? wires too??

splinter

One would like to believe a competent MBUSA counterman could furnish the correct replacement parts.
Nevertheless, MB’s rebranded and repackaged plugs typically have the manufacturer’s PN embossed on their shell.
Post that information and I’ll verify you’ve received proper plugs.

The M112 calls for a 14mm thread, 19mm (3/4") reach, 5/8" hex, gasket seat resistor plug.
Heat range differs depending upon application (e.g., supercharged).




M113 Kompressor/M271 shown

ND2020

On the plug itself in the white area it reads: KC10PYPB4
On the silver rim just above the threads: OF 073

The Box reads:

A 004 159 50 03 64
Maid in USA 15415227 14.09.10

Thanks for any help Splinter, it's much appreciated.

Moviela

Interesting. The number on the porcelain (KC10PYPB4) is a Champion (Federal Mogul) part number that they say fits:

CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 2008-2004
MERCEDES-BENZ C32 AMG 2004-2003
SLK230 2004-2003
SLK32 AMG 2004-2003

Mercedes does respecify and supersede parts all the time, so it is possibly OK. You need to assume the parts Bob typed in the VIN correctly.

I also find it interesting that the box says "Maid (hmm, cleans the windows too?) in USA" because there is a large plant near Shanghai that makes similar plugs and some counterfeiters print other peoples logo's on them.

ND2020

Yeah, i found the same after googling that number. Wasn't aware MB used any Champion plugs, but it has the MB logo on it.

The "maid" was actually a typo on my part. The box reads correctly. Nice catch!

ND2020

So should i attempt to use these plugs or try taking them back and exchanging them for the bosch/ngk ones?

Sum0ne3lse

Great instructions. Saved lots of money.

krazzdav

Great write up -- here's a vid I found to compliment this (maybe a mod wants to add it to the 1st post)

CClassLover

Stealer: $800
Autozone parts: $146... (i got extra spark plugs)
Time: 5 hours or so...

I had never even changed the oil in my car before reading this post. I read this and got my supplies, disconnected the negative connector from the battery (not both), replaced 6 spark plugs, let it sit for a week, replaced the other 6, reconnected the battery (got a spark when i reconnected) turned the key and everything was good to go. Just needed to set the time. No Issues. That led to me replacing the wipers, cabin filter, headlight which saves me over $750... so far. Fuses next. Thank you all for empowering me to be handy with car repairs and giving me the confidence to fix the rest of these little things myself and save hundreds of dollars along the way. And you've been great for my social life. My chick is like "That's so sexy!". #Winning!

molonlabe

So which spark plugs did you wind up using? I hava a c320 that takes 12 plugs, and have read all sorts of opinions as to which plugs to use.

flying_whale

Great write up and I plan on doing this very soon; quick question though: how do you "torque to spec" — what does that even mean? Am I counting the number of times I'm turning the socket with the new spark plug?

Thanks

VVF

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...rce=opensearch

CClassLover

Sorry for the delayed response. I used NGK Iridium IX plugs. Been idling smoothly ever since.

CClassLover

As far as the amount of times to turn the plugs... I turned em till they set snugly then gave em one decent but not forceful turn.

ez53436

Hi guys, this thread really helped me on my C32 tonight, so thanks to the OP. I'm HUGELY stuck though. Everything went pretty smoothly until I went to plug the boots back onto the spark plugs. I cannot for the life of me get them on snugly!

I tried for a solid hour with tons of different methods, even putting a small wrench into the box end of the 17mm offset wrench and trying to leverage that with my arm. Any harder and I would have broken my arm. Am I missing something here? I even put a bunch of dielectric grease on the inside of the boot and on the spark plug itself!

Any help/tips are appreciated. I've got no working car now! Thanks

mleskovar

I had the same problem. The new plugs were bigger just enough. I ended up taking one of the new plugs out so I could get a good grip and angle and forcing (with the grease) it onto each one of the connectors to open them up.

ncmudbug

If I understand the situation correctly - the connectors are larger now. You might try to unscrew the connector from the old plugs and screw them on the new ones.

ncmudbug

If you pay close attention, you can feel the crush washer compress when you start to get the plug tight. Then, as CClassLover says, another firm but not forceful turn. The chances of stripping the threads in the head are slim since the length of the threaded part of the plug is so long, but it is aluminum and there is no reason to force the issue. A bit more than snug is enough.

ncmudbug

Just a reminder - there's no need to disconnect the battery to change the plugs.