Just wanted to thank everyone who provided feedback in the spark plug messages that I found in my searches on MBWorld! This weekend I successfully changed the plugs on my wife's new '98 E320 Wagon. The process was fairly straightfoward, as described in previous posts. The hardest part, by far, was removing the spark plug boots...the spark plugs hadn't been changed since the car came from the factory, and the boots were really really tough to remove. I didn't have much success using a 17mm open-end wrench as others had suggested; in fact, this resulted in a broken spark plug -- my first and only in 15 years of doing auto maintenance. I used a SnapOn Spark Plug Boot Removal Tool (it's actually labeled Blue Point), part number SBP-3 (I think it was about $25 from SnapOn's website). However, what really made the job much, much easier, was using that boot puller in combination with a long-handled curved-nose needlenose pliers I had. I would grab the boot with the Boot Tool, and then use the curved pliers resting on the engine block to pivot the Boot Tool away from the engine (like a lever). Unfortunately, I only discovered this trick about half-way thru the job, after much sweating and swearing using the Spark Plug Boot Removal Tool on it's own.
Anyway, here's a picture of the two tools which made this job a success (along with the one broken spark plug).
Anyway, I've only got a couple of other things I need to do with the car, so I'm feeling pretty good right now.
Still on the list of to-do's: fuel filter change, sunroof guide check, auto tranny flush, and replacing the dreaded harmonic balancer (I'll definitely let the dealer handle that last one).
Regards,
Steve
'98 E320 Wagon
Anyway, here's a picture of the two tools which made this job a success (along with the one broken spark plug).
Anyway, I've only got a couple of other things I need to do with the car, so I'm feeling pretty good right now.
Still on the list of to-do's: fuel filter change, sunroof guide check, auto tranny flush, and replacing the dreaded harmonic balancer (I'll definitely let the dealer handle that last one).Regards,
Steve
'98 E320 Wagon
MBWorld Fanatic!
Woow, congratulation. Eventhough the job is not a complex one, but it sure it tricky (and lot of hard work). I was about to replace mine, but after realize the work need to be done w/ 12 spark plugs, I let my mechanic do it. He's a friend of mine, so I was charged only ....$100 (took him 2 hours for the job !!!).
The ones toward the front of the car were easy to be removed, but the ones in the back were really tough. Watching what he did, I was happy that I didn't give it a shot myself.
For the I-6, it's very easy and straight forward, but for the V6, I think it's a big task.
The fuel filter is somewhat easy to be DIY (in front of rear driver side wheel). Sunroof guide & harmonic balancer should be left for pro.
The ones toward the front of the car were easy to be removed, but the ones in the back were really tough. Watching what he did, I was happy that I didn't give it a shot myself.
For the I-6, it's very easy and straight forward, but for the V6, I think it's a big task.
The fuel filter is somewhat easy to be DIY (in front of rear driver side wheel). Sunroof guide & harmonic balancer should be left for pro.
Quote:
Originally Posted by slilley
Just wanted to thank everyone who provided feedback in the spark plug messages that I found in my searches on MBWorld! This weekend I successfully changed the plugs on my wife's new '98 E320 Wagon. The process was fairly straightfoward, as described in previous posts. The hardest part, by far, was removing the spark plug boots...the spark plugs hadn't been changed since the car came from the factory, and the boots were really really tough to remove. I didn't have much success using a 17mm open-end wrench as others had suggested; in fact, this resulted in a broken spark plug -- my first and only in 15 years of doing auto maintenance. I used a SnapOn Spark Plug Boot Removal Tool (it's actually labeled Blue Point), part number SBP-3 (I think it was about $25 from SnapOn's website). However, what really made the job much, much easier, was using that boot puller in combination with a long-handled curved-nose needlenose pliers I had. I would grab the boot with the Boot Tool, and then use the curved pliers resting on the engine block to pivot the Boot Tool away from the engine (like a lever). Unfortunately, I only discovered this trick about half-way thru the job, after much sweating and swearing using the Spark Plug Boot Removal Tool on it's own.
