Plugs
Spark Plugs on E55
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 20,081
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Volvo V90 CC
Spark Plugs on E55
I'm new to Mercedes, this is my first one, and I hope not the last one, so far I'm extremelly satisfied with my vehicle, but I need more. I traded a 96 Impala SS which was running almost mid 12's 1/4 mile, so I still need to improve the E55 a little to be at that point.
My first steps are K&N air filters, MAF and TB ( I don't even know MAF and TB can be done in this car). Then I'm also curious about the spark plugs, I've successfully used Bosch Platinum 4 on my vehicles getting up to 3 tenth better performance (excellent for 5 bucks a spark plug)
Here is the question: How do you remove the spark plugs
and does anybody recommend a particular brand??
Thanks in advanced for any replies.
My first steps are K&N air filters, MAF and TB ( I don't even know MAF and TB can be done in this car). Then I'm also curious about the spark plugs, I've successfully used Bosch Platinum 4 on my vehicles getting up to 3 tenth better performance (excellent for 5 bucks a spark plug)
Here is the question: How do you remove the spark plugs
and does anybody recommend a particular brand??Thanks in advanced for any replies.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 1
From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
You remove the spark plugs just like any other car, make sure the engine is cooled down so you don't take the threads out of the head, blow compressed air around the plugs to prevent debris from falling in, and then take them out. Mercedes engines don't like anything other than Bosch, so that's what I recommend. They run terrible on Champions, from what I've seen. Also, remember that your engine has 16 spark plugs, so don't get sticker shock.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,583
Likes: 212
From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Hi pocholin, welcome to the board. I see you like running your E55 hard. Cool! For the ignorant - What is MAF and TB? Thanks
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 581
Likes: 4
From: Dallas
C32 AMG
I believe MAF is "Mass Air Flow Sensor" - the hot-wire sensor used to detact air flow through the intake, and TB is "throttle body" - usually an enlarged throttle body to provide increased airflow.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 20,081
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Volvo V90 CC
JamE55, jswedberg is right the Mass Airflow Sensor can detect air flow, air temp and density.
Usually bigger is better, up to certain point, I've always changed these two items to GM vehicles with excellent results, so I don't know if this is doable on these cars.
NGK platinum are supossed to be good plugs, but I've never been a fan of them after having Bosch Platinum 4 on my cars, there is so much difference, it is hard to belive that those spark plugs can make that much difference.
mbtech, I know how I'm supossed to do it, but I don't know how to remove the metalic cover off of the spark plug wires, do I twist it? is there a special tool?
Thanks
Usually bigger is better, up to certain point, I've always changed these two items to GM vehicles with excellent results, so I don't know if this is doable on these cars.
NGK platinum are supossed to be good plugs, but I've never been a fan of them after having Bosch Platinum 4 on my cars, there is so much difference, it is hard to belive that those spark plugs can make that much difference.
mbtech, I know how I'm supossed to do it, but I don't know how to remove the metalic cover off of the spark plug wires, do I twist it? is there a special tool?
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 1
From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
Just twist and pull the plug wire off the plug. It's no different than any other car. Just make sure you don't get the two plug wires for each cylinder confused.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 20,081
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Volvo V90 CC
Not yet, I haven't even removed a spark plug to try to mach it. Bosch's website doesn't have a Platinum 4 listed for the E55.
So at this point I'm not sure what to do, depending of what I find when I remove a plug I'll make my desicion of what to try.
So at this point I'm not sure what to do, depending of what I find when I remove a plug I'll make my desicion of what to try.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 20,081
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Volvo V90 CC
Originally posted by jcjmw
pocholin
Did you ever change the spark plugs in your E55? If so, what brand and gap?
pocholin
Did you ever change the spark plugs in your E55? If so, what brand and gap?
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 20,081
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Volvo V90 CC
Originally posted by jcjmw
Thanks. I think I'll have my spark plugs replaced with the OEM plugs, which on my 99 E55 are NGK platinums.
Thanks. I think I'll have my spark plugs replaced with the OEM plugs, which on my 99 E55 are NGK platinums.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 12
From: West
2005 E55 Wagon
The car has 39k miles and has never had the plugs replaced. Its hard for me to believe that the plugs do not be changed or that the car would not benefit from new plugs. From what I see under the hood, there is nothing unusual or difficult in changing the plugs. I never asked the dealer here about the cost to change the plugs b/c I thought I would do it myself and save some $$$.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 20,081
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Volvo V90 CC
Originally posted by jcjmw
The car has 39k miles and has never had the plugs replaced. Its hard for me to believe that the plugs do not be changed or that the car would not benefit from new plugs. From what I see under the hood, there is nothing unusual or difficult in changing the plugs. I never asked the dealer here about the cost to change the plugs b/c I thought I would do it myself and save some $$$.
The car has 39k miles and has never had the plugs replaced. Its hard for me to believe that the plugs do not be changed or that the car would not benefit from new plugs. From what I see under the hood, there is nothing unusual or difficult in changing the plugs. I never asked the dealer here about the cost to change the plugs b/c I thought I would do it myself and save some $$$.
I think the ones on the driver side towards the firewall are going to be the most difficult.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 930
Likes: 0
Good luck getting any improved performance from BOSCH plus 4's- my experience has been they bring nothing to a modern car.
In any event here is a helpful hint to removing the plugs. The plugs themselves are easy- getting the wires off the plug is the tough part. HEYCO and others make a valve adjustment wrench for older MBZ- this wrench is perfect for removing the wires. Its a 19mm throat on the end of an S bent wrench. The throat of the wrench fits just behind the ridge of the metal boot right at the wire. Levering against the cylinder head pulls the boot right off. Using a standard 19mm open end wrench is also possible.
In any event here is a helpful hint to removing the plugs. The plugs themselves are easy- getting the wires off the plug is the tough part. HEYCO and others make a valve adjustment wrench for older MBZ- this wrench is perfect for removing the wires. Its a 19mm throat on the end of an S bent wrench. The throat of the wrench fits just behind the ridge of the metal boot right at the wire. Levering against the cylinder head pulls the boot right off. Using a standard 19mm open end wrench is also possible.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 12
From: West
2005 E55 Wagon
Spark plugs for E55s (NGK or Bosch).
For some reason, I automatically assumed that the OEM plugs for my 1999 E55 was the NGK Platinum Plug. I believe others on this forum checked their owner's manual, which said the same thing. However, in my 1999 owner's manual for my car, the OEM plugs are Bosch. For those of you with NGK plugs as OEM, get ready for a sticker shock. The prices that I kept getting for those NGK plugs for a 1999 E55 was around $12.00 to $13.00 a piece, times that price by 16 (2 per cylinder) and you get a very nice bill. The prices for the Bosch plugs are cheaper around $5.71 per plug (if you can call a $5.71 plug cheap - Yikes!!! I previously owned a 1987 Buick Grand National and the plugs on that car was around $2.55 and I thought that was pricey). I will now order the plugs for my car.
