E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Oil on spark plug thread

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Dec 29, 2020 | 12:16 AM
  #1  
online789's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
E-350 - Wagon - 2008
Oil on spark plug thread

Hi,

I have a m272 engine (e350, 2008) and was looking to replace my plugs. When I took out the old plug, I noticed some engine oil on the thread of the plug. The ceramics and the tips were dry. And the old plugs looked relatively new.

my car has 67k miles and the plugs didnt appear to be the original ones. I am replacing with Denso Iridium power.

two questions: 1) what could be the cause of oil on the threads? 2) will the Denso plugs improve performance over Bosch double platinum?

I read another thread on w211 with similar symptoms that was due to Cap. https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w212/724496-spark-plug-oily-threads.html. Could mine have the same problem?

thanks and happy new year folks.
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2020 | 05:57 AM
  #2  
Khorvall's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
04 w211 e200 sedan m271.941
Same here

I changed the spark plugs last month and I had oil on one of them. But as the head looked normal I rest easy that someone has spilled a little oil when adding oil to the engine.

On my Subaru i had to remove engine head to replace some gaskets when I found oil on all spark plugs
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2020 | 11:19 AM
  #3  
online789's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
E-350 - Wagon - 2008
Angry Gets more interesting...

Thanks for the reply...but this is getting more interesting.

Please see photos of the plugs that I pulled out.
They seem to have oil on the threads, but nothing on the points. As a matter of fact, they all look pretty clean (so, I am kicking myself for changing these).
You will notice considerable amount of oil on the sleeve (which I used to store them after they were pulled out).

But I am now getting CEL.
Codes:
P2004
P0304
P0354

As I was changing the plugs for cylinder #4, I realized the ignition coil was broken at the connection point.
See pictures below....




So, I replaced the #4 direct ignition coil with a new Delphi ignition coil.
Yet the codes didn't disappear and the car still shakes (which explains the misfire on #4, code P0304 and P0354).
What I don't understand is code P2004.
I didn't touch the intake manifold - why would Intake Manifold Runner Control be stuck?!!
What does this have to do with the ignition coil?

To add, I also changed my serpentine belt, the tensioner and idler pulleys. Although, they looked pretty good.

I just bought the car, so wanted to do some preventative work...oh well, now I might have to take it to the shop. :-(

Here are the spark plug photos...







Reply
Old Jan 2, 2021 | 11:56 AM
  #4  
online789's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
E-350 - Wagon - 2008
Update...next, cleaning the air intake?

Replaced my ignition coil with a new one. The shakiness went away. After driving 20 miles, the CEL gone too. All seems well. Drives better now than it did before installing new plugs.

Contemplating to clean the air intake. Also, I want to use the CRC Valve cleaner to get things all in factory shape.

Any other items to consider?
I want more responsiveness and longevity.

thx
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2021 | 01:47 PM
  #5  
chassis's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
MBWorld Ambassador

5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,692
Likes: 4,584
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Likely cam covers leaking into the spark plug wells.
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2021 | 04:16 AM
  #6  
Khorvall's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
04 w211 e200 sedan m271.941
.

I would recommend you head over to the "mechanicadvice" on reddit, this forum is sub par. Happy to hear your car is behaving better now.
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2021 | 04:56 AM
  #7  
prktkljokr's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 277
Likes: 73
From: Perth Australia
12 C200, 12 C180, 10 Fuso Warrior crew cab, 08 RTV ute, 05 Smart Fortwo cabrio, 09 Smart Fortwo
When putting plugs into alloy head its normal to use a little oil on the threads so they dont seize in, so the next time you need to take them out they dont bind up destroying the thread in the head, looks to be a normal amount of oil to me for this procedure, its just darkened from the constant heat, doesnt look that bad as the plugs are not coated in oil, if the covers were leaking they would have oil wherever the coil pack does not cover, like where the ceramic meets the thread.

The plugs used in these cars are good for 100,000ks about 60,000 miles and can generally last a lot longer depending on the way the car is driven, I generally change the coil packs at the same time as the plugs as the life expectancy of a coil pack is about the same as the plugs, they will do a lot longer but at a reduced capacity.

Last edited by prktkljokr; Jan 3, 2021 at 05:00 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2021 | 03:22 PM
  #8  
Overheated's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 248
Likes: 36
From: L.A., Moscow, NYC, San Diego, Baja
1998 E320 Wagon, 2003 W211 E500, 2003 W211 E500, 1999 W210 E55 AMG
Originally Posted by online789
Replaced my ignition coil with a new one. The shakiness went away. After driving 20 miles, the CEL gone too. All seems well. Drives better now than it did before installing new plugs.
Chasing a shake myself. No misfire codes. How did you determine it was a solitary coil?
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 4, 2021 | 01:32 PM
  #9  
online789's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
E-350 - Wagon - 2008
Originally Posted by Overheated
Chasing a shake myself. No misfire codes. How did you determine it was a solitary coil?
On mine, the connector was broken. (See photos). Not sure if yours is same. Perhaps you could use injector cleaners and see if they help. Some swear by efficacy of Red Line fuel system cleaner. It might be worth a try.
For ICMs, 3 things need to work in unison: fire, fuel and air.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2021 | 02:49 AM
  #10  
cetialpha5's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
For the air intake, check the breather cover and the oil separator underneath it. If you replace the oil separator, note that it's reverse threaded. Seems to be coming up a lot lately. Had to replace the intake on my other car when I got the code. The oil gets into the intake and gums up the flaps so they don't really move. I tried to move the lever on the old intake and it was hard to do by hand and didn't bounce back afterwards like the new one. There's a reason FCPeuro sells a kit with all the replacement parts, you could probably mail order the parts cheaper directly from an MB dealer, but then you wouldn't have the lifetime warranty from fcp. And if your intake is bad, replace the manifold, if the lever or rods are broken, while there are kits on eBay to fix those, eventually the plastic flaps break and fall into the engine causing damage.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...kit-oem-515810

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...ierburg-516475
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2024 | 02:47 PM
  #11  
W211.'s Avatar
Junior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: New York City
Mercedes Benz E 350 4 Matic 2008 , ML 350 4 Matic 2013
hey so I have oil on my threads too and as well on top of the piston. What was your issue ? Thank you

Originally Posted by online789
Thanks for the reply...but this is getting more interesting.

Please see photos of the plugs that I pulled out.
They seem to have oil on the threads, but nothing on the points. As a matter of fact, they all look pretty clean (so, I am kicking myself for changing these).
You will notice considerable amount of oil on the sleeve (which I used to store them after they were pulled out).

But I am now getting CEL.
Codes:
P2004
P0304
P0354

As I was changing the plugs for cylinder #4, I realized the ignition coil was broken at the connection point.
See pictures below....




So, I replaced the #4 direct ignition coil with a new Delphi ignition coil.
Yet the codes didn't disappear and the car still shakes (which explains the misfire on #4, code P0304 and P0354).
What I don't understand is code P2004.
I didn't touch the intake manifold - why would Intake Manifold Runner Control be stuck?!!
What does this have to do with the ignition coil?

To add, I also changed my serpentine belt, the tensioner and idler pulleys. Although, they looked pretty good.

I just bought the car, so wanted to do some preventative work...oh well, now I might have to take it to the shop. :-(

Here are the spark plug photos...






Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:58 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE