When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Mechanic said the ignition coils didn't look like the factory ones so he skipped doing those and that I "didn't need to worry about them." I have my car back now and it's idling SUPER rough. I assume he didn't index the plugs properly so I'm bringing it back tomorrow. With that, 2 questions:
1. He already did the plugs, is it a big deal for him to go back and swap the coils at this point? I want to use the new ones I bought not the ones with 100k miles on them. That's also what I paid for.
2. Can someone confirm these are the right coils (I believe A2761590542)?
Mechanic said the ignition coils didn't look like the factory ones so he skipped doing those and that I "didn't need to worry about them." I have my car back now and it's idling SUPER rough. I assume he didn't index the plugs properly so I'm bringing it back tomorrow. With that, 2 questions:
1. He already did the plugs, is it a big deal for him to go back and swap the coils at this point? I want to use the new ones I bought not the ones with 100k miles on them. That's also what I paid for.
2. Can someone confirm these are the right coils (I believe A2761590542)?
Thanks!
Will need VIN to confirm if those are the right part numbers for the coils.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by PeterUbers
Coils are a 1 hour job - super straightforward
Yeah he said they looked different than factory so he skipped them in case they didn't work right. I'm definitely going to call tomorrow and have them swap those too once someone hopefully confirms I have the right part number. I gave FCP my vin before buying the kit so I have to assume it's accurate but even parts companies can get stuff wrong.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by Siegmann
Hopefully he indexed the plugs. Coils are important, so the fact that he dismissed them is concerning. Do you have any error codes?
I specifically printed out one of indexing documents that I got here and showed it to the mechanic before he began. He was talking about my plugs being the same length so it didn't matter. I don't believe that's true now that I understand what indexing is. Also yes, car cold starts like normal then starts running harsh, then the check engine light comes on. After shutting down the car overnight, the code goes away then the whole issue starts again.
My 2018 EPC shows 276 159 00 42 which has been replaced by the newer 276 156 09 00, which is the same part included in the FCP Euro kit you bought.
Just an FYI, these are just the connectors and not the actual coils. So if the coils themselves are bad, replacing only the connectors will not fix anything.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by MeltdownSpectre
My 2018 EPC shows 276 159 00 42 which has been replaced by the newer 276 156 09 00, which is the same part included in the FCP Euro kit you bought.
Just an FYI, these are just the connectors and not the actual coils. So if the coils themselves are bad, replacing only the connectors will not fix anything.
Thanks! Also disappointing that I asked FCP for a spark plug kit and they didnt sell me the coils as well, just wires? Should I get my hands on coils too with my car at 100k miles and Im about to install an OE Tune? I want this baby in tip top shape, I'd like to keep this thing indefinitely.
Thanks! Also disappointing that I asked FCP for a spark plug kit and they didnt sell me the coils as well, just wires? Should I get my hands on coils too with my car at 100k miles and Im about to install an OE Tune? I want this baby in tip top shape, I'd like to keep this thing indefinitely.
People usually replace plugs and connectors as part of one service, so I guess that's why FCP sells them together in a kit.
I believe they do have a larger 'ignition service kit' that includes coils, connectors and plugs all in one, or maybe I'm mistaken.
Either way, at 100k miles if I was about to get a tune or any sort of performance mods, I'd definitely get new coils and plugs and maybe even replace the HPFP just as preventive maintenance.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by MeltdownSpectre
People usually replace plugs and connectors as part of one service, so I guess that's why FCP sells them together in a kit.
I believe they do have a larger 'ignition service kit' that includes coils, connectors and plugs all in one, or maybe I'm mistaken.
Either way, at 100k miles if I was about to get a tune or any sort of performance mods, I'd definitely get new coils and plugs and maybe even replace the HPFP just as preventive maintenance.
Awesome, thanks. Also just did the UPD airbox lift kit and filters, the installed engine air filters looked OLD so glad I did that.
Hopefully the plugs and coils won't be too crazy to swap, seems like he already did the brunt of the work. Although also sounds like he's going back in to address indexing at this point (or something else).
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
I have my car back, mechanic took it back first thing this morning. No issues now. He said that one of the plugs (#5) was misfiring and he swapped it, now the issue seems to be gone (fingers crossed).
I brought up the indexing thing again and he insisted its not a thing. That if you use the exact same size spark plug, and torque them to the correct spec, that there is no need to do anything else. He also said its not possible to monitor the indexing on these M278 engines as you cannot look down into the area where the plugs go on this setup since everything is so tight. Does that sound right to folks? If not, I'm probably going to a new mechanic to have the indexing double checked, I know not doing that right can lead to big problems.
I have my car back, mechanic took it back first thing this morning. No issues now. He said that one of the plugs (#5) was misfiring and he swapped it, now the issue seems to be gone (fingers crossed).
I brought up the indexing thing again and he insisted its not a thing. That if you use the exact same size spark plug, and torque them to the correct spec, that there is no need to do anything else. He also said its not possible to monitor the indexing on these M278 engines as you cannot look down into the area where the plugs go on this setup since everything is so tight. Does that sound right to folks? If not, I'm probably going to a new mechanic to have the indexing double checked, I know not doing that right can lead to big problems.
You can absolutely monitor the indexing by marking your socket extensions and lining up said mark with the open side of the ground strap. Then once you've torqued the plug, you see where the mark ends up. Mine (Bosch) all tend to fall 90 degrees shy of where they belong. I shim them to correct that.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Curious, does anyone have these newer spark plug wires installed (A2761590542)? It's the last batch of parts in my trunk. Or am I okay to skip these?
I have the new spark plugs, camshaft sensors/magnets, and sacrificial harnesses all installed now. Also just did a full transmission service (filter, gasket, fluid). This thing is ROCKING, drives freaking amazing, I can't believe this car can be had for low 20's.
I have a 2012 E550, 73K miles. I completed the same items as Tkelly couple weeks ago (plugs, coil to plug connectors, tranny service, and all 8 sensors). And, I installed the sacrificial pigtails on the 4 magnetic solenoid sensors. I looked but could not find/ source sacrificial pigtails for the 4 camshaft position sensors (checked FCP and dealer). Anyone know if these exist? When I replaced the sensors I did have oil leakage showing up in 2 of the 4 camshaft position sensors and would fell better if I could install the pigtails on them (even though all is running well). And for SA, the magnetic solenoid sensors are 2-wire, while the camshaft position sensors are 3-wire.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by DirtyShortz
I have a 2012 E550, 73K miles. I completed the same items as Tkelly couple weeks ago (plugs, coil to plug connectors, tranny service, and all 8 sensors). And, I installed the sacrificial pigtails on the 4 magnetic solenoid sensors. I looked but could not find/ source sacrificial pigtails for the 4 camshaft position sensors (checked FCP and dealer). Anyone know if these exist? When I replaced the sensors I did have oil leakage showing up in 2 of the 4 camshaft position sensors and would fell better if I could install the pigtails on them (even though all is running well). And for SA, the magnetic solenoid sensors are 2-wire, while the camshaft position sensors are 3-wire.
You need these pigtails, not sure if OEM ones are around:
Did you install the new plug wires with ease? Same part number as above? My mechanic was baffled and said the new ones (new part number compared to what was installed at the factory) didn't "fit right" and were next to impossible to get in.
I did. The old plug connectors were tough to get off. I broke 5 of them in the process, and stretched/stressed the others enough that I knew that they all needed to be replaced. It’s a 2012 and, by the looks of the them, I’m pretty sure the plugs and plug connectors had never been changed. Here is a shot of the connectors:
the other trouble I ran in to was getting the wires/connectors off of the coil packs. I had to fidget with them quite a bit bit eventually they came.off.
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Originally Posted by DirtyShortz
I did. The old plug connectors were tough to get off. I broke 5 of them in the process, and stretched/stressed the others enough that I knew that they all needed to be replaced. It’s a 2012 and, by the looks of the them, I’m pretty sure the plugs and plug connectors had never been changed. Here is a shot of the connectors:
the other trouble I ran in to was getting the wires/connectors off of the coil packs. I had to fidget with them quite a bit bit eventually they came.off.
Got it, thanks! FCP Euro gave me a slightly different part number (ending 0542 vs 0042). I wonder if that's why he's struggling. Maybe I should get these wires instead...
I have my car back, mechanic took it back first thing this morning. No issues now. He said that one of the plugs (#5) was misfiring and he swapped it, now the issue seems to be gone (fingers crossed).
I brought up the indexing thing again and he insisted its not a thing. That if you use the exact same size spark plug, and torque them to the correct spec, that there is no need to do anything else. He also said its not possible to monitor the indexing on these M278 engines as you cannot look down into the area where the plugs go on this setup since everything is so tight. Does that sound right to folks? If not, I'm probably going to a new mechanic to have the indexing double checked, I know not doing that right can lead to big problems.
Did you share the threads of owners requiring engine rebuilds possibly due to burnt cylinders due to poor indexing? Was the shop willing to write on paper that they are willing to replace your 80k dollar engine if it burns a cylinder, or will they blame a tune or something else. And im not talking about the standard 12k mile one mile warranty. No offense, but if this mechanic will not correctly install parts according to mercedes maintenance documentation and advice, you need to stop driving the car and take it to a mechanic that is willing to do the required work. IMHO, I would not just drive on it till the next interval as you may kill the engine. Next time a mechanic tells you he doesn't believe in a factory document, its time to leave that shop and go elsewhere. Dont start with that shop or you will waste time, and possibly waste your engine. Start with a shop that agrees to do whatever you ask to pay for. Theres no need to ever argue with someone you are paying to provide a service, and its definitely never worth the savings and can often cost more in the end when all time and money and frustrations are considered. Some shops would hate if you shared the KENNYED video of how to properly index, and others would be thankful for you saving them time and money. Stick with the latter. Good luck.
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.
