M278 Spark Plug replacement
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 366
Likes: 53
From: Bandon, Or.
2013 E550 Sedan
M278 Spark Plug replacement
My 2013 E550 is due for replacing the spark plugs. I called my dealer and got quoted 3.5 hours labor. I can understand the time, as the intake manifold has to be removed from what I have read. That said, the $221 for plugs seems a bit steep? The total estimate was $781. I have a local shop that I take the car in for basic maintenance, but I wonder if this is a job that should be done by someone with experience on this engine, not by someone that is getting on the job training working on my car. Any thoughts, or suggestions are welcome.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 443
Likes: 69
From: California
2013 E550 4MATIC - P1, P2, SPORT
That totals out to a little over $27 per plug. You can find them for cheaper, but generally not much (as I understand it). A good indy shop is definitely the way to go, if they do Benzes. But I don't think I'd trust my car to an "any ol' shop" for that.
Edit:
I might have to buy back my statement. It looks like NGK is a good way to go for replacement plugs according to this thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-question.html
and they run about half the cost.
Having said that, dealerships won't do the work for you in this scenario, you'd have to get the local shop to do it.
Edit:
I might have to buy back my statement. It looks like NGK is a good way to go for replacement plugs according to this thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-question.html
and they run about half the cost.
Having said that, dealerships won't do the work for you in this scenario, you'd have to get the local shop to do it.
Last edited by TeeEl; Jun 22, 2019 at 01:19 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2017
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
My understanding is that the plugs are indexed, meaning set to point in a specific direction at a specific torque and getting it wrong can screw with the burn zone inside the compression chamber and potential cause big problems. I could be wrong here, but I’ve seen some videos and think I’ve read a few posts on here about this too. Might want to research a bit before engaging a mechanic who may not understand this just to be safe.
its probably why we can get 30+ mpgs sometimes on a car this heavy (V6’s)...
its probably why we can get 30+ mpgs sometimes on a car this heavy (V6’s)...
Last edited by nc211; Jun 22, 2019 at 03:27 PM.
Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 86
Likes: 24
From: Palatine, IL
2013 E350 4Matic
My understanding is that the plugs are indexed, meaning set to point in a specific direction at a specific torque and getting it wrong can screw with the burn zone inside the compression chamber and potential cause big problems. I could be wrong here, but I’ve seen some videos and think I’ve read a few posts on here about this too. Might want to research a bit before engaging a mechanic who may not understand this just to be safe.
its probably why we can get 30+ mpgs sometimes on a car this heavy (V6’s)...
its probably why we can get 30+ mpgs sometimes on a car this heavy (V6’s)...
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
As fancy and complex this plug indexing sounds, all it is properly torquing the plug and using correct plug. If you use OEM plug, there is only one way to start the thread, crush washer is solid so you torque to spec(I think its 17ft lbs or 204in lbs) and they will all be indexed.
This "problem" with having to have specially made plugs came with the Direct Injection engines so if the engine OP has is not DI-engine he does not need to worry about this. It seems he drive a 2013 model so did the DI engines come already before that?
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Joined: Sep 2018
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10-second E550
Indexing simply means that the spark plug thread starting point is in correct location in relation to the electrode in the end of the plug. Also the thread length has to be correct so that when plug is tightened in place the electrode is in right angle inside the cylinder.
This "problem" with having to have specially made plugs came with the Direct Injection engines so if the engine OP has is not DI-engine he does not need to worry about this. It seems he drive a 2013 model so did the DI engines come already before that?
This "problem" with having to have specially made plugs came with the Direct Injection engines so if the engine OP has is not DI-engine he does not need to worry about this. It seems he drive a 2013 model so did the DI engines come already before that?
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,365
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2006 E320 CDI 2014 C63 507 Coupe 2012 E550 4M 2016 E63s Wagon
I just had mine done at the dealer last week while in for service. I think it was about $470 total; half for parts half for labor. I thought that was a fair price for what's involved.
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 24
Likes: 2
From: Toronto
2012 E550
2012 E550 Coupe Spark plugs gone bad
I bought a 2012 E550 coupe in 2022, it had 135k and the car was in immaculate condition - single owner and VP of one of the more reputed companies in Canada.
I have driven the car around 16kms in 2 years and last week, while driving home, the CEL came on flashing and then went solid, with the car shaking violently. After checking the ODB2 ports, I got misfires on Cylinders 5,6 and 7.
I have been dabbling with the idea of taking it to merc specialist or a dealership and eventually ended up taking it to the dealership.
After diagnosis, theyve now told me, theyre replacing all the sparkplugs. The ignition coil seems to be fine, the compression is good and there are no leaks.
He did mention that the fuel supply is a little lower than where it should be but nothing serious. As per carfax, the sparkplugs were changed in 2021 at 135kms, so basically he changed the plugs and sold the car. Did I end up buying a lemon? Though the car has been without ANY issues since I bought it.
I am now $1000 in the hole, did I do the right thing or should I have just gone to an MB Specialist?
I dont have the car yet and I am waiting on the dealership to get back with an update after installing the sparkplugs now!! Fingers crossed.
I have driven the car around 16kms in 2 years and last week, while driving home, the CEL came on flashing and then went solid, with the car shaking violently. After checking the ODB2 ports, I got misfires on Cylinders 5,6 and 7.
I have been dabbling with the idea of taking it to merc specialist or a dealership and eventually ended up taking it to the dealership.
After diagnosis, theyve now told me, theyre replacing all the sparkplugs. The ignition coil seems to be fine, the compression is good and there are no leaks.
He did mention that the fuel supply is a little lower than where it should be but nothing serious. As per carfax, the sparkplugs were changed in 2021 at 135kms, so basically he changed the plugs and sold the car. Did I end up buying a lemon? Though the car has been without ANY issues since I bought it.
I am now $1000 in the hole, did I do the right thing or should I have just gone to an MB Specialist?
I dont have the car yet and I am waiting on the dealership to get back with an update after installing the sparkplugs now!! Fingers crossed.
Last edited by VarunBajaj; Jun 3, 2024 at 12:08 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 961
Likes: 103
10-second E550
I bought a 2012 E550 coupe in 2022, it had 135k and the car was in immaculate condition - single owner and VP of one of the more reputed companies in Canada.
I have driven the car around 16kms in 2 years and last week, while driving home, the CEL came on flashing and then went solid, with the car shaking violently. After checking the ODB2 ports, I got misfires on Cylinders 5,6 and 7.
I have been dabbling with the idea of taking it to merc specialist or a dealership and eventually ended up taking it to the dealership.
After diagnosis, theyve now told me, theyre replacing all the sparkplugs. The ignition coil seems to be fine, the compression is good and there are no leaks.
He did mention that the fuel supply is a little lower than where it should be but nothing serious. As per carfax, the sparkplugs were changed in 2021 at 135kms, so basically he changed the plugs and sold the car. Did I end up buying a lemon? Though the car has been without ANY issues since I bought it.
I am now $1000 in the hole, did I do the right thing or should I have just gone to an MB Specialist?
I dont have the car yet and I am waiting on the dealership to get back with an update after installing the sparkplugs now!! Fingers crossed.
I have driven the car around 16kms in 2 years and last week, while driving home, the CEL came on flashing and then went solid, with the car shaking violently. After checking the ODB2 ports, I got misfires on Cylinders 5,6 and 7.
I have been dabbling with the idea of taking it to merc specialist or a dealership and eventually ended up taking it to the dealership.
After diagnosis, theyve now told me, theyre replacing all the sparkplugs. The ignition coil seems to be fine, the compression is good and there are no leaks.
He did mention that the fuel supply is a little lower than where it should be but nothing serious. As per carfax, the sparkplugs were changed in 2021 at 135kms, so basically he changed the plugs and sold the car. Did I end up buying a lemon? Though the car has been without ANY issues since I bought it.
I am now $1000 in the hole, did I do the right thing or should I have just gone to an MB Specialist?
I dont have the car yet and I am waiting on the dealership to get back with an update after installing the sparkplugs now!! Fingers crossed.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 24
Likes: 2
From: Toronto
2012 E550
He changed the sparkplugs and says the car is running perfectly now, no misfiring at all.
But now theres a code P001177 - thats the camshaft out of position code and I was reading about it. Apparently the chain tensioners/belt need to be changed. There is the early morning 5 second rattle on the car on cold start, so may be thats where this code comes from? I have never had an engine light on before this and suddenly hes saying that it might come and go and is not really a hard fault but id have to pay another $400 to get the damn thing diangnosed.
Has anyone got their chain tensioners/chains changed from a mechanic? I am not sure I want to give these guys $1500 for something a mechanic can do, but not sure if its risky either.
Please help!
But now theres a code P001177 - thats the camshaft out of position code and I was reading about it. Apparently the chain tensioners/belt need to be changed. There is the early morning 5 second rattle on the car on cold start, so may be thats where this code comes from? I have never had an engine light on before this and suddenly hes saying that it might come and go and is not really a hard fault but id have to pay another $400 to get the damn thing diangnosed.
Has anyone got their chain tensioners/chains changed from a mechanic? I am not sure I want to give these guys $1500 for something a mechanic can do, but not sure if its risky either.
Please help!
