C32 AMG General Maintenance *picture heavy*
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 241
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From: Edmonton
2003 C32 AMG
C32 AMG General Maintenance *picture heavy*
Hey everyone.
Just got done replacing my leaky valve covers, with fresh oem gaskets. As well as finally changing out the original spark plugs, wires, and air filters.
Check out the pictures, the valve covers were completely soaked.. and the spark plugs were rusty as hell.. shame whoever owned this car before me.
I replaced everything with Bosch OEM wires, bosch oem iridium plugs, gaskets from the dealer, and genuine mann air filters.
Yes, the car ran 10 years with the same plugs, and air filters.
The difference is very apparent.. the car was sluggish, didn't want to accelerate, and was getting poor fuel economy at best. Now the fuel economy has picked up significantly, and throttle response is much crisper.
I have only owned the car for about 8 months and have put a fair share of work into it.
So far I have changed the:
intercooler pump
alternator
valve cover gaskets
spark plugs
spark plug wires
air filters
engine oil
coolant
power steering fluid
brake fluid
I love this car but it was definitely neglected in its previous life. Driven hard and put away wet. About the only issues I have now are my right headlamp is out, and replacing the bulb doesn't do anything. I believe the electronic ballast is bad, and they are expensive. Anyone have any alternatives without changing the OEM headlamps? (they are too nice to change)
Valve train looks good for almost 90k miles as well!
Just got done replacing my leaky valve covers, with fresh oem gaskets. As well as finally changing out the original spark plugs, wires, and air filters.
Check out the pictures, the valve covers were completely soaked.. and the spark plugs were rusty as hell.. shame whoever owned this car before me.
I replaced everything with Bosch OEM wires, bosch oem iridium plugs, gaskets from the dealer, and genuine mann air filters.
Yes, the car ran 10 years with the same plugs, and air filters.
The difference is very apparent.. the car was sluggish, didn't want to accelerate, and was getting poor fuel economy at best. Now the fuel economy has picked up significantly, and throttle response is much crisper.
I have only owned the car for about 8 months and have put a fair share of work into it.
So far I have changed the:
intercooler pump
alternator
valve cover gaskets
spark plugs
spark plug wires
air filters
engine oil
coolant
power steering fluid
brake fluid
I love this car but it was definitely neglected in its previous life. Driven hard and put away wet. About the only issues I have now are my right headlamp is out, and replacing the bulb doesn't do anything. I believe the electronic ballast is bad, and they are expensive. Anyone have any alternatives without changing the OEM headlamps? (they are too nice to change)
Valve train looks good for almost 90k miles as well!
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From: Phoenix AZ & Cayucos CA
’27 AMG SL55(ordered), ‘23 EQS 580 SUV, ‘19 AMG E53 Cpe, ‘48 Willys Jeepster
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 241
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton
2003 C32 AMG
Hi guys, thanks for the kind words.
I was also very surprised at the clean condition of the valve train.
I have been using Liqui Molly 0W-40, it is a good synthetic oil also made in Germany and meets MB specs... a bit cheaper than Mobil 1 and has never done me wrong.
My Porsche friends use it, and I've switched to it as well.
I was also very surprised at the clean condition of the valve train.
I have been using Liqui Molly 0W-40, it is a good synthetic oil also made in Germany and meets MB specs... a bit cheaper than Mobil 1 and has never done me wrong.
My Porsche friends use it, and I've switched to it as well.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Edmonton
2003 C32 AMG
I am a little strapped for cash, if you still have it in a little bit I will definitely buy it. The car had some mechanical issues when I got it, that I am in the process of correcting before I add any performance modifications.
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
Hey man, where are you getting Liqui Moly locally for less than Mobil1? I'd love to try it, but the only time I saw it was at PartSource and they wanted stupid money for it.
BTW, those plugs you pulled out look like crap! Good job you replaced them.
BTW, those plugs you pulled out look like crap! Good job you replaced them.
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Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 241
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From: Edmonton
2003 C32 AMG
I work at a shop mind you so I get all my parts for cost.
I have access to lots of european wholesalers that retail customers don't.
Shoot me a text vince ill get you a deal. I paid less than 50 bucks for my oil filter and 8 liters of liqui moly
I have access to lots of european wholesalers that retail customers don't.
Shoot me a text vince ill get you a deal. I paid less than 50 bucks for my oil filter and 8 liters of liqui moly
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
C32 AMG
'02 C32 AMG - Just had some work done, what should i do next?
Hey, I just recently got an '02 C32 with 130,000mile. I have changed the oil, transmission fluid, Coolant, cleaned fuel system. What do you think I should next?
I also have the same problem with my headlight but it is my left one.
I took it to Mercedes and they said i need a new HID Control Unit & Head Light Unit. ($3,342)
Have you found a way to fix this cheaper?
I also have the same problem with my headlight but it is my left one.
I took it to Mercedes and they said i need a new HID Control Unit & Head Light Unit. ($3,342)
Have you found a way to fix this cheaper?
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 168
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From: AZ and Amsterdam
'03 C32 AMG, '07 E92 335i, '85 BMW5 E28
Nice to see somebody giving it the attention and care that car deserves. Who in earth did you buy it from?? I can't comprehend somebody buying this car brand new, for 60-70k and never doing any maintenance, then after 10 years selling it? You spend that much money on a car and then are too cheap to give it some TLC, those people should not be allowed driving these kind of cars...
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11
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From: Los Angeles
C32 AMG
I live in Venice, Ca and drove to Fontana, Ca which is almost 2h, especially with traffic, to buy it from a girl, who seemed like it might have been to much for her to maintain. Paid 6k, and had MB do a full check of the car and got all green marks. Little things need to be fixed but it will be well worth it. MB recommended replacing: Valve cover gaskets, all engine mounts, rear main seal, and spark plugs. Any idea of what i should tackle first?
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
Maj I'll lye you know when I need oil again. Canadian Tire had a sale on Mobil1 a few weeks back, just in time when I had to do the oil on the C55 so it worked out nice. BTW, did your coil pack clips come apart easily or did they break? About half of mine broke very easily when I did my plugs. I did a DIY thread on replacing the clips a while back.
Marcus, of those items on your list, the valve cover gaskets and spark plugs will be the easiest. Probably should do plug wires at the same time too. You may need the special spark plug removal tool, otherwise, cut open a 17mm angled box end wrench and good to go.
The engine mounts and trans mount will be next most difficult, and the rear main seal the most difficult. For the rear main seal, it's probably just a $10-20 part, but to get at it you need the transmission out (or the engine out, I guess).
Marcus, of those items on your list, the valve cover gaskets and spark plugs will be the easiest. Probably should do plug wires at the same time too. You may need the special spark plug removal tool, otherwise, cut open a 17mm angled box end wrench and good to go.
The engine mounts and trans mount will be next most difficult, and the rear main seal the most difficult. For the rear main seal, it's probably just a $10-20 part, but to get at it you need the transmission out (or the engine out, I guess).
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Edmonton
2003 C32 AMG
Hey vince.
Yeah one of my coil pack clips did in fact break. I was very careful. They dont like to be taken on and off.
I saw your DIY, and actually when it broke that's the first thing I thought about. Its on my to do list.
@Marcus.. leaky rear main? Bad news man. The labour to perform this job is immensive and not something that can be done easily DIY. As saab mentioned the engine and transmission need to be seperated in order to perform this repair.
Yeah one of my coil pack clips did in fact break. I was very careful. They dont like to be taken on and off.
I saw your DIY, and actually when it broke that's the first thing I thought about. Its on my to do list.
@Marcus.. leaky rear main? Bad news man. The labour to perform this job is immensive and not something that can be done easily DIY. As saab mentioned the engine and transmission need to be seperated in order to perform this repair.
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11
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From: Los Angeles
C32 AMG
Thanks you guys! You have been super helpful. I Just replaced the valve cover gaskets and spark plugs today. A few things of my check list. Need to add rear tires and brakes to that list now. But loving the car!
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From: Oxford, PA
C55 AMG
i'm about to do a mass maintenance on my car as well. how hard was the coolant flush? Is there a DIY here? I'm mostly concerned about bleeding the air out afterwards to make sure the new coolant flows through without restriction.
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From: South Africa
clk320 and sl320 V6
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From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 241
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From: Edmonton
2003 C32 AMG
If there isn't any visible leaking (you know where and what to look for?) of the rear main seal then I would replace the engine mounts and not worry about the rear main seal. Sounds like MB wants to hose you for some cash, which they are known to do.
Keep an eye on it yourself!
Keep an eye on it yourself!
