Spark plug wire issues
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E320
Spark plug wire issues
I have an 2001 E320 with 50,000 miles. My electrical light went on and I took it to the dealership and they said my spark plug wires need to be replaced to the tune of $1600. A month ago I had the spark plugs replaced. Could this problem be associated with the replacement of the plugs? Any advice would be appreciated.
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From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
I have an 2001 E320 with 50,000 miles. My electrical light went on and I took it to the dealership and they said my spark plug wires need to be replaced to the tune of $1600. A month ago I had the spark plugs replaced. Could this problem be associated with the replacement of the plugs? Any advice would be appreciated.
IF The Check Engine light is on and there IS a Missfire ....(As One CAN go into values with the SDS and determine the problem)...It SHOULD be covered under Emission Warranty 7 Year 70k
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Get
the codes read for free at autozone etc.,post the codes.Please before you do anything as rash as 1600bucks for plug wires.You would had to have had a car fire for those bullet proof plug wires to go bad.Don't see where you live by your profile so please post it,it helps in where or how we can help solve your code issue.Plug wires would not be covered under the em warranty.Post where you are.Who did the plugs?Why the hell did they replace them at 50000 miles,they are 100000 mile maint. items!!!!!!
How much did they rip you for the plugs?
ohlord
you do not need the star diagnostic scanner to solve most CEL light issues,do not go to the dealer..............
"GOT CODES?"
How much did they rip you for the plugs?
ohlord
you do not need the star diagnostic scanner to solve most CEL light issues,do not go to the dealer..............
"GOT CODES?"
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
True Most auto part stores will check stored DTCs for No Charge...Or Just buy a Scanner for future use
The Spark Plug Wires ARE Covered under the 7/70 Emission Warranty as I have done several under warranty when I worked for Mercedes Benz
Out Of Control!!
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From: around the world
monowiper
my guess is, whoever did your plugs change messed up the wires.
they are pretty fragile, have to be careful with the connectors that attach onto the spark plugs.
if those got pulled wrong or with the wrong tool, yanked whatever, and damaged, then...
btw i always change my plugs 50k to 60k
they might be rated 100k but they are waaaay too nasty at that mileage, if you want top shape you have to change them earlier than 100k
with basic tools anyone can do it, just have to be careful with the wires while changing them.
they are pretty fragile, have to be careful with the connectors that attach onto the spark plugs.
if those got pulled wrong or with the wrong tool, yanked whatever, and damaged, then...
btw i always change my plugs 50k to 60k
they might be rated 100k but they are waaaay too nasty at that mileage, if you want top shape you have to change them earlier than 100k
with basic tools anyone can do it, just have to be careful with the wires while changing them.
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
we need to take that myth
To the tv show.Plugs nasty at 100,000 miles ?Not unless you car has major fouling issues,a blown head gasket,bad rings or bad valves,would the plugs be nasty.I've done mine,I've several friends 320 and 430's and never yet have had a plug come out of a properly running,properly maintained E series be nasty.You are tossing out perfectly good plugs,that gap oem,show little to no wear and fire like they did on the day installed for way longer then even the factory interval of 100,000 miles.
Have you even ever seen a platin plug come out of a 100,000mile engine?I doubt you have even ever seen a plug at all if you are spitting out the lack of knowledge you display.
ohlord
Have you even ever seen a platin plug come out of a 100,000mile engine?I doubt you have even ever seen a plug at all if you are spitting out the lack of knowledge you display.
ohlord
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: West Des Moines, Iowa
'97 E320
To the tv show.Plugs nasty at 100,000 miles ?Not unless you car has major fouling issues,a blown head gasket,bad rings or bad valves,would the plugs be nasty.I've done mine,I've several friends 320 and 430's and never yet have had a plug come out of a properly running,properly maintained E series be nasty.You are tossing out perfectly good plugs,that gap oem,show little to no wear and fire like they did on the day installed for way longer then even the factory interval of 100,000 miles.
Have you even ever seen a platin plug come out of a 100,000mile engine?I doubt you have even ever seen a plug at all if you are spitting out the lack of knowledge you display.
ohlord
Have you even ever seen a platin plug come out of a 100,000mile engine?I doubt you have even ever seen a plug at all if you are spitting out the lack of knowledge you display.
ohlord
They tend to become brittle once they've reached the age of 100K miles.
Even if they are still servicable...I would personally recommend changing them on the concept of preventative maintenance. Spend a buck to save a hundred. Is it always the absolute right thing to do? Nada. Do I personally take that approach? You betcha.
* OFF TOPIC BEGINS *
Do you have to be so abrasive? I'm just about done coming to these forums...with the primary reason being you. Before you start hurling (unwarranted) insults around as you just did to "Eurosport"...it's not because I can't take your attitude. I'm simply tired of it (and the 3rd grade english/typing skills).
You are apparently very much into these forums. Good for you. It's supposed to be a community...and, last I checked...communities don't thrive when you have someone picking fights left and right.
If you're really so passionate about helping people...I started a thread that you've obviously read (throttle body squeal sound familiar?). Maybe you'll share some constructive advice there instead of turning so many threads into flame wars.
* OFF TOPIC ENDS *
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Hey
I call it as I see it.Nasty plugs?My issue is why disseminate false information,it only hurts the newbie that is trying to get a grasp of the job at hand.
If you want to be one of the people that toss in parts before the maintenance interval requires,so be it..You are wasting money,labor,natural resources,and time.
Lets say some new guy to the forum asks about plugs,and he follows the advice about nasty plugs and changing plug wires when you change the plugs(just to be on the safe side)and lets say he has no diy skills and goes to a dealer every 50000 miles to avoid nasty plugs.Recent posts would suggest .$475 for plugs and 1600 bucks for new wires installed at the dealer.$2075
every 50 k?
my issue is with the misinformation that gets spread as gospel.We are to the best of our knowledge to contribute good information,correct?
I have worked on cars for over 40 years,if I don't know the correct way or can't offer from first hand knowledge a solution,I will either not reply to the thread at all,ask on of my friends that has the info and relay it to the member with the problem,or tell them to pm a member that does have the correct information.
Any problems with that?
And don't tell me you haven't taken other members to task when you feel they are out of line or offering faulty information.
Brittle?there porcelain of course they are brittle ,or did they start making new ones out of rubber?
If you want to be one of the people that toss in parts before the maintenance interval requires,so be it..You are wasting money,labor,natural resources,and time.
Lets say some new guy to the forum asks about plugs,and he follows the advice about nasty plugs and changing plug wires when you change the plugs(just to be on the safe side)and lets say he has no diy skills and goes to a dealer every 50000 miles to avoid nasty plugs.Recent posts would suggest .$475 for plugs and 1600 bucks for new wires installed at the dealer.$2075
every 50 k?my issue is with the misinformation that gets spread as gospel.We are to the best of our knowledge to contribute good information,correct?
I have worked on cars for over 40 years,if I don't know the correct way or can't offer from first hand knowledge a solution,I will either not reply to the thread at all,ask on of my friends that has the info and relay it to the member with the problem,or tell them to pm a member that does have the correct information.
Any problems with that?
And don't tell me you haven't taken other members to task when you feel they are out of line or offering faulty information.
Brittle?there porcelain of course they are brittle ,or did they start making new ones out of rubber?
Last edited by ohlord; Oct 5, 2007 at 03:48 PM.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2007
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E320
Additional info.
I live in central Florida. Review my service invoice for the specifics. Dealership says tht the vehicle misfires in CYL 6, 5, 2. Gave an estimate of $1600 to replace coils and spark plug wires. Let me know if you have additional questions
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monowiper
as they say assumption is...
let me put it to you very simple
100k rating is for reducing service costs, it does not mean a plug will perform the same at 20k, 60k, 100k
it does not mean that plug will be in top shape until 100k, many things can affect that spark plug.
if you're lucky the plug's gap will still be ok at 60k, you can clean them if you'd like. but at the cost of new plugs and getting back to full potential of those spark plugs, it's not worth cleaning imo.
as an enthusiast i'm more concerned with performance than cost (specially when plugs are cheap compared to other things).
i'd rather do good preventive maintenance than do them as they come, be stranded, create more problems etc.
if i'd go by your thinking then i shouldn't have drained and filled my "lifetime" tranny oil in my x5 yesterday. they do say it's lifetime afterall.
i shouldn't have changed the front and rear axle gear oil while i was down there, or the transfer case atf, why bother since it's not in the "recommended" interval. 
anyway, real problem here is the spark plug wires as subject of the thread indicates
MBWorld Fanatic!
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Run from that dealer
I have to run out and get a part for the MGB we have a track day this weekend,I will help you to proceed later,sit tight.Or run over to pep boys or kraggens or what have you and get them to read the obd2 codes and write them down,active and pending both.
ohlord
ohlord
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Before i run
reduce service costs?Since when in all the wisdom of mercedes benz have they ever tried to reduce service costs.They discourage the diy'r at every avenue they can,insist in some cases that certain jobs can only be performed by them,reduce costs!!!!!!!
I have pointed out several times that even Mercedes has changed their stance on LT fluid and now rec it at certain intervals.The other items you mentioned are regular maintenance items,if you choose to do them before due time,go ahead,just stop telling other members they need to do it also.
And yes plugs gap, perform, and fire at oem specs in excess of 100000 miles.Gotta go now ,my tanks on full and I need to go get gas
why not change the oil everytime you pop the hood?after all you're in there anyway!
I have pointed out several times that even Mercedes has changed their stance on LT fluid and now rec it at certain intervals.The other items you mentioned are regular maintenance items,if you choose to do them before due time,go ahead,just stop telling other members they need to do it also.
And yes plugs gap, perform, and fire at oem specs in excess of 100000 miles.Gotta go now ,my tanks on full and I need to go get gas
why not change the oil everytime you pop the hood?after all you're in there anyway!
Last edited by ohlord; Oct 5, 2007 at 04:00 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Proof?
I can ship you a 100,000 mile plug and you compare gap ,wear,and resistance values and see the proof.
Or you can go to the maker Bosch,that designed the oem plug and take note that the new bosch platinum plus,single side electrode is now rated at 25% more life than the original oem platin plug.My next change will be at 200k as provided in the service interval manual,the plugs will be just fine at that time ,thank you.
http://www.boschautoparts.com/Produc...s/Platinum.htm
http://www.boschautoparts.com/Resour...ugWireSets.htm
Wires,please note the conditions under which you test the wires if certain issues are occurring,it does not say to replace them,it says rule them out or in as a cause by testing and examining them.Look at the pdf are your wires abused or baked like that?If they are you have bigger problems than the ones coming from your wires.
Or you can go to the maker Bosch,that designed the oem plug and take note that the new bosch platinum plus,single side electrode is now rated at 25% more life than the original oem platin plug.My next change will be at 200k as provided in the service interval manual,the plugs will be just fine at that time ,thank you.
http://www.boschautoparts.com/Produc...s/Platinum.htm
http://www.boschautoparts.com/Resour...ugWireSets.htm
Wires,please note the conditions under which you test the wires if certain issues are occurring,it does not say to replace them,it says rule them out or in as a cause by testing and examining them.Look at the pdf are your wires abused or baked like that?If they are you have bigger problems than the ones coming from your wires.
Out Of Control!!
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From: around the world
monowiper
if you go to importeccatalog.com or autohausaz.com you can buy
the 3 coils and 6 wires for about $460 shipped to your door. much better than the quoted price they would charge you.
long time ago i had a similar issue that finally was tracked down to a "about to go out" oxygen sensor
similar misfires, misdiagnosis as in replacing coils/wires to cover their behind, yet still didn't solve the problem, it only did after replacing that oxygen sensor. it happened around similar mileage too.
best investment i can recommend though, is an odbII scanning tool, that you can read, and reset codes with it on any car 96+. it'll save you $100 for each trip to the stealer, plus you can isolate issues much faster.
gl
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Try cleaning the connections
I had a problem with the #1 and #2 cylinder misfire and the engine idle was really rough. I removed the engine cover, found the #1 and #2 cylinders and noticed there was a lot of dust and gunk covering the plugs, wires and coils. I used electronic cleaner on the exterior, then unplugged the wires and cleaned the connections. This was 3 months ago and no more fault codes.
