anar23

e430, 40,000 miles. 2001, hasnt been driven in a while

Racin_fool

I wouldn't worry about it until you get something close to 80-100k on the car.. Obviously if an issue comes up where I was in there doing something to the engine I may do them sooner, but I wouldn't worry about it for a while..

anabase

or 100,000 miles. So you're overdue. But first I would change the oil and the transmission fluid. Did the car come with an owners manual?

saintz

I would wait. Plugs are more susceptible to use than time. Carbon buildup and fouling comes with use.

Oil, however, is susceptible to both. It gets contaminated with use and breaks down with time.

ohlord

change them.

anar23

nice, thnx for the pm

RichardM98

Actually factory recommended service cycle is 100K or 4 years if you want to get technical.

Sounds like maybe you did not buy the car new. If so, a previous owner may have changed the plugs. You might pull a plug and examine it and check the model number and manufacturer. If you have one, your OM should list the factory recommended plug in the back.

If your car is running smoothly and you're getting 18-20 mpg around town and 27-30 on the highway, chances are the plugs are fine.

Attached is a list of all factory scheduled maintenance for a 1998 E320 wagon. See the end of the listing for procedures which fall outside the A-B Schedule.

Hirnbeiss

I prefer mornings, before it gets too hot.

RichardM98

AND when the engine isn't running.

tmandel

For sure it'll be too hot when the engine is running.

ohlord

Let's get " if you want to get technical"
Page 27 factory maintenance sheet. per Mercedes.
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/data/p...nce_manual.pdf

for the technically minded
get er done for the not so technically minded.
You can also pick up the 01 manual at
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/#/servPrtsOwnersManuals/

ohlord

the plugs
the oil mb spec mobil1 0w40 and fleece filter diy on www.peachparts.com resource section diy's oil change #2
The brake fluid
The trans fluid and filter mb spec fluid diy on www.benzworld.org w210 section
The coolant zerex GO5
The power steering fluid
The air filter
Check you brake pads and rotors

RichardM98

I stand corrected. From now on I'll try to add a disclaimer to any references to MB documentation that is from my vehicle. Thanks a lot ohlord. Glad to see you're on top of this stuff. To the OP and Anabase - sorry.

Apparently, MB changed the time interval (between 1998 and 2001) from 4 yr to 5 yrs meaning it's even less likely that you need to change the plugs.

ohlord

01-06 5years so he should have changed them retroactively 3 years ago.
Go back and do it

01BlackE320

I think the 100k 5 year manufacture spec has dual purpose.
100k enables the manufacturer to boast 100k between tuneups
5 yr gets owners into the dealer for service more frequently.

Other manufacturers that equip their cars with platinum plugs do not spec 5 yr life. Additionally, this engine has 2 plugs per cylinder so there's half the chance of a misfire ever occuring.

I went 8 yrs and 100k miles, plugs looked fine, came out easily and engine ran perfectly.

Figuero

Or perhaps twice as likely depending on how critical it is to have both plugs working up to snuff. I don't think they are redundant.

ohlord

they are not redundant.
And the change at 5 years is not to make money.Combustion gas creaps up the threads and can cause real issues with removal.Waiting 8 years may work for some but other have had a whole day job getting out the plugs. Plus while the poster above said he had no problems ha sacraficed a few mpg for a few years most likely.Bet he has not changed his o2 sensors either and will make note they had no affect either

tmandel

Hmmm -- o2 sensors -- how often should they be changed, ohlord? I hope there's a sticky...

ohlord

you follow the directions that come with them.
They come with the proper o2 sensor anti seize and replacement interval is every 100K miles. Go over that and you can be giving up 15% of your mpg.
Get NGK their response time is quicker and they perform better.