S-Class (W220) 1999-2006: S 320 CDI, S 320, S430, S 500, S 600

Bosch spark plugs aren't ideal

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Old Jun 18, 2006 | 01:53 PM
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Bosch spark plugs aren't ideal

Mercedes needs to do more research. Stock plugs burn a tad too hot. This is why many people report good things about switching to Iridium plugs, specifically the Denso IK16, which is colder.



At 30,000 miles. I'm going Denso IK16 soon, and would advise everyone else to do so when changing their plugs.
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Old Jun 18, 2006 | 05:29 PM
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I would hate to think how much a spark plug job would cost at the dealership................
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Old Jun 18, 2006 | 07:21 PM
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newton22, is it possible to change the spark plugs by yourself instead of bringing the car to the dealership?
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Old Jun 18, 2006 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by schwarz
newton22, is it possible to change the spark plugs by yourself instead of bringing the car to the dealership?
Of course. It's what I am doing, but it takes a lot longer than changing spark plugs in other conventional cars (one plug/cyl). I don't even know if you can insist the dealer to use non OEM plugs.

Regardless, I'm pretty sure Mercedes engine dynos these motors with the Bosch plugs. So its perfectly possible for our engines to recover and GAIN power from using other plugs.

By the way schwarz, your S has a great stance! And its weird how our sig pics both depict the car at the same angle.
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Old Jun 19, 2006 | 06:12 AM
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i think i might have to tinker with my car a little bit to do it myself then. hehe.

about the sig, thanks for your comment. and i've seen your sig but when i put mine on i just realised how much it look like yours. :p let me know if you mind so i can change it.
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Old Jun 19, 2006 | 07:36 AM
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@Newton 22
is the picture really showing a W220 spark plug??? Mine look completely different. I have the Platnium plugs, which are required for this engine, and they looked still quiet ok, when I changed them after 50,000 mls.
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Old Jun 19, 2006 | 01:16 PM
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Your spark plug actually looks quite good with a normal operating result. The burn pattern and operating tempurature are normal, with very little electrode erosion.

Attached are untouched photos of spark plugs that are subjected to too much heat.

Originally Posted by newton22
Mercedes needs to do more research. Stock plugs burn a tad too hot. This is why many people report good things about switching to Iridium plugs, specifically the Denso IK16, which is colder.



At 30,000 miles. I'm going Denso IK16 soon, and would advise everyone else to do so when changing their plugs.
Attached Thumbnails Bosch spark plugs aren't ideal-dscn0504.jpg   Bosch spark plugs aren't ideal-dscn0522.jpg   Bosch spark plugs aren't ideal-525-3.jpg  
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Old Jun 19, 2006 | 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by kjb55
Your spark plug actually looks quite good with a normal operating result. The burn pattern and operating tempurature are normal, with very little electrode erosion.

Attached are untouched photos of spark plugs that are subjected to too much heat.
Those are pictures of pretty extreme overheating. Though my spark plugs are fine, they're just a bit hot. Spark plugs a bit hot can slightly decrease mpg and power, so the motor isn't performing optimally.

Originally Posted by bamberger_1
@Newton 22
is the picture really showing a W220 spark plug??? Mine look completely different. I have the Platnium plugs, which are required for this engine, and they looked still quiet ok, when I changed them after 50,000 mls.
Yup, the stock Bosch plugs. I have a year 2000. Not sure if Mercedes uses different ones throughout the w220 production line.

Originally Posted by schwarz
:p let me know if you mind so i can change it.
No, not at all. Your W220 looks better than mine.
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Old Jun 19, 2006 | 02:37 PM
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I just bought 16 IK16 Spark Plugs for $140.00 including shipping.

Here is a diagram for those of you who want to know how to pull yours you.

What if I don't have a torque wrench... is it a big deal?
Attached Thumbnails Bosch spark plugs aren't ideal-1.gif   Bosch spark plugs aren't ideal-2.gif  
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Old Jun 19, 2006 | 02:48 PM
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Originally Posted by newton22
Mercedes needs to do more research. Stock plugs burn a tad too hot. This is why many people report good things about switching to Iridium plugs, specifically the Denso IK16, which is colder.



At 30,000 miles. I'm going Denso IK16 soon, and would advise everyone else to do so when changing their plugs.

Those plugs are not indicating hot at all for UNLEADED fuel.

In fact, it looks as though you just shut the car off , as opposed to doing a proper plug chop.

Last edited by PA55AMG; Jun 19, 2006 at 02:50 PM.
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Old Jun 19, 2006 | 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Oxygen
I just bought 16 IK16 Spark Plugs for $140.00 including shipping.

Here is a diagram for those of you who want to know how to pull yours you.

What if I don't have a torque wrench... is it a big deal?
A torque wrench is recommended. Though if you have a good feel for a regular rachet, just tighten it enough in there. Where did you get 16 for $140?
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Old Jun 19, 2006 | 08:32 PM
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Old Jun 19, 2006 | 08:35 PM
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Good deal. Let me know if you feel any kind of difference after putting them in.
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Old Jun 19, 2006 | 09:08 PM
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Old Jun 19, 2006 | 09:19 PM
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Spark Plug write up

I used the Denso's, they're great!!! See my post, it's a two hour DIY job, see #8 on this post LINK
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Old Sep 13, 2007 | 07:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Oxygen
I just bought 16 IK16 Spark Plugs for $140.00 including shipping.

Here is a diagram for those of you who want to know how to pull yours you.

What if I don't have a torque wrench... is it a big deal?
If your car take 16 spark plugs. Then I am assuming that my V12 will require 24 spark plugs, when I do have to change them (is this right)? How hard is it to change the spark plugs on the V12? I was told they are MUCH HARDER than the V8 (any help?).

Thanks.....
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Old Sep 13, 2007 | 02:59 PM
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I'm not a fan of one plug over the other.. But, I will say that there could be a million reason why spark plugs look certain ways.

1. fuel quality
2. mixture control
3. driving characteristics
4. Engine...

these are a few but how can you say the plug you show in the pic is hot?

by what degree or percentage for that engine setup?

I'd say that if a plug is designed to go 100K between changes and you need to change them at 30K you should investigate possible engine anomolies.

there are a lot of factors besides the maker of a plug that determine what is "optimal" for an engines performance.

Saying that is just like saying that all you need to do to get more Hp is to add a certain type of air filter and you are all of a sudden in the high performance catagory...

You must consider all of the factors involved..

Normally in the Aviation world ( where I'm from ) in the land of zero tolerance high performance engines, the spark plug is examined because it reveals tell tell signs of what is going on internally with the engine so you know what needs to be addressed. Not to be misconstrued as " well look at these things, I think its time to find a new brand of plug ".
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Old Sep 13, 2007 | 07:16 PM
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Old Sep 13, 2007 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by johnlovescar
If your car take 16 spark plugs. Then I am assuming that my V12 will require 24 spark plugs, when I do have to change them (is this right)? How hard is it to change the spark plugs on the V12? I was told they are MUCH HARDER than the V8 (any help?).

Thanks.....
Probably because of a tighter engine bay, but what do I know.
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Old Apr 21, 2009 | 07:05 PM
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Old Feb 9, 2010 | 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by StapleGun
I used the Denso's, they're great!!! See my post, it's a two hour DIY job, see #8 on this post LINK
This link worked for me!!
I used Bosch 7422's. My old plugs looked pretty good actually. Mileage is 86K.
Took about 4.5 hours taking my time. Snapped one 3/8" drive universal joint half-way through, then switched to 1/2" drive(should have went 1/2"drive from get-go). Did it without removing coil packs!!.

I can tell a difference just in the idle, it is better. Acceleration is nicer as well.

Thanks!
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Old Feb 9, 2010 | 10:26 PM
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Originally Posted by DTMLGND
This link worked for me!!
I used Bosch 7422's. My old plugs looked pretty good actually. Mileage is 86K.
Took about 4.5 hours taking my time. Snapped one 3/8" drive universal joint half-way through, then switched to 1/2" drive(should have went 1/2"drive from get-go). Did it without removing coil packs!!.

I can tell a difference just in the idle, it is better. Acceleration is nicer as well.

Thanks!
How ?

Andy
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Old Feb 10, 2010 | 12:22 AM
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Originally Posted by M-bENZ
How ?

Andy
There is no law that say's the coil packs MUST be removed. In my case they were only unbolted and rolled out of the way to make removing the plug wires easier. BUT if you can manage to work the plug wire loose and be able to snap it back into place when you install the new plugs, there is no real reason to remove the coil packs.

I can't believe someone dug up a 3 1/2 year old thread to talk about plugs.. why not just make a new post??

Last edited by my06clk; Feb 10, 2010 at 12:25 AM.
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Old Feb 10, 2010 | 03:47 PM
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Originally Posted by my06clk
There is no law that say's the coil packs MUST be removed. In my case they were only unbolted and rolled out of the way to make removing the plug wires easier. BUT if you can manage to work the plug wire loose and be able to snap it back into place when you install the new plugs, there is no real reason to remove the coil packs.

I can't believe someone dug up a 3 1/2 year old thread to talk about plugs.. why not just make a new post??
Believe this....Alot people use the 'search' function to find help in DIY or whatever they need. I posted to credit the helpful reference LINK in the thread.
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Old Feb 10, 2010 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by DTMLGND
Believe this....Alot people use the 'search' function to find help in DIY or whatever they need. I posted to credit the helpful reference LINK in the thread.
As do I. But as you can see by this example, sometimes post take on a life of their own and end up with a lot dialog within the threads not having much to do with the original post.

Sometimes it just makes sense at some point to make fresh thread focused on the subject at hand. Search still works in that case also.
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