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I have a 2016 E 350 4matic flex fuel with 60k on it. I recently had the major service done by a local German car mechanic including spark plugs. I’m concerned because I use E85 and a friend who has owned a Flex Fuel car said “you better hope they put the flex fuel specific spark plugs in or you’ll have problems in the future”.
My question is, is this true and should I go back and ask? I hate to act like I don’t trust him and the car is running fine but I’m kind of worried.
I have a 2014 E350 flex fuel. And I checked with my local dealer today and they told me the correct spark plug to use is 004-159-81-03. This is very confusing to me now. MB website shows #2701590600 for high output, not sure what that means: https://mbparts.mbusa.com/oem-parts/...lug-2701590600
Ok more digging, looks like from http://www.ilcats.ru/mercedes/?vin=W...60&language=en. konigstiger is absolutely correct. The part number of spark plug for flex m276 is A0041596903. And there's even a different part number of the coil for the flex fuel: A2769065100. Looks like my local dealer was wrong.
Now wondering what would happen if someone installs a non flex fuel spark plug/coil to a flex fuel E350, would it be a problem if I don't run E85?
Ok more digging, looks like from http://www.ilcats.ru/mercedes/?vin=W...60&language=en. konigstiger is absolutely correct. The part number of spark plug for flex m276 is A0041596903. And there's even a different part number of the coil for the flex fuel: A2769065100. Looks like my local dealer was wrong.
Now wondering what would happen if someone installs a non flex fuel spark plug/coil to a flex fuel E350, would it be a problem if I don't run E85?
I would think you would want to use the correct parts, It would likely throw a code if you didn't,
Final update, bought a copy of EPC off ebay and finally figured it out.
At least for my VIN, it requires a different ignition coil than the non flex fuel version.
As for spark plug, my dealer was correct, there's no special version of spark plug for my car even though it's flex fuel. It uses the same plug as gas one: A 004 159 81 03.
Not doubting dealer or you, provide VIN I'll compare your EPC result to current ISPUSA.
Appreciate it konigstiger! My VIN is WDDHF5KB7EA789347.
My outdated version of EPC shows I need 2 different types of coil for left and right bank, which is very confusing. Was hoping you can help clarify that as well.
I am a bit surprised by your part numbers ( which are discontinued anyways ). Here is the one for my car, 2014 E350 USA Flex, see the list below in the page and look for this section:
I am a bit surprised by your part numbers ( which are discontinued anyways ). Here is the one for my car, 2014 E350 USA Flex, see the list below in the page and look for this section:
konigstiger's information shows that it needs 3 * 2769065100 for the left bank and 3 * 2769061001 for the right bank.
However 2769065100 is replaced by 2769061101, so both konigstiger and my dealer are correct.
My guess is that it shows discontinued are probably due to the long backorder? My dealer told me it would take 7 months to get these parts, so apparently they are not discontinued and still can be ordered through dealers.
As for 2769060501 (which is replaced by 2769061001 anyway), I believe the reason it shows it fits flex is because it fits flex car's right bank only, not for left bank which is next to ECU. At least according to EPC, flex cars need 2 different types of coil per bank. I have no idea why though. My Audi and BMW have way cleaner part catalog, Mercedes parts are so confusing!
I don't know if this is true, but I was told by an MB mechanic at my dealer that the flex fuel cars use the Euro specs for engine control and fire the plugs more than once each cycle. Which is different than the US spec cars.
I don't know if this is true, but I was told by an MB mechanic at my dealer that the flex fuel cars use the Euro specs for engine control and fire the plugs more than once each cycle. Which is different than the US spec cars.
If I have to guess, I would guess flex cars do run differently. As a result, coils would emit different strength/pattern of electric magnetic field, which could have an impact to other electrical equipment, like ECU. So Mercedes probably use a different coil on the left that has better electromagnetic isolation to protect the ECU from being screwed up over long term.
Again, all speculation, only a Mercedes engineer could explain the reasoning behind it. I'll just follow EPC and buy the right parts for my car....
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