I Found The Problem
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
I Found The Problem
I found the problem to the rough idle, bad MPG, and everything else associated with it! It's my SPARK PLUGS!!!!! Today I took it over to a friend's house... took one out and it was rusting and BLACK. Really bad... Anyone recommend where I can buy plugs from? And what kind? Also is there anything the plugs could have damaged that I should look out for?
Thanks Guys... been a great help!
Thanks Guys... been a great help!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
I'm wondering what caused my spark plugs to go bad.. or could it be age?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,461
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From: Baltimore MD
MB, BMW
u see, what you're doing is just blindly throwing new parts at your car and not knowing what the root cause of the problem is. that won't get you anywhere
and fyi, mercedes are NOT 'bulletproof'. in fact, i always swear by this old saying, "the most expensive used car money can buy is a cheap mercedes". you'll find out
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 325
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From: Miami, FL
2013 E63 AMG
Well let’s see, why are your plugs bad? Maybe low grade fuel like REG 89, car cooling system was overheated, too much fuel additive, too many miles on them 60,000 miles is about time to change them out and so on. Replace them all about 4 hours take your time and test drive again if still similar problem replace your MAF and everything should be good. Did they change your oil before purchase? Use 8 quarts Mobil 1 0w40 or Royal Purple 5w40 or 10w40. In fact you should drain your trans oil and replace filter very easy to do (Use factory trans oil about 4 qt unless you drop your trans cooler lines to give you 6 qt. total) and replace the rear-end oil with Royal Purple or Redline gear lube (about 1.5 Quarts). There are DIY on this forum do a search for all these repairs. This will help you understand your car and save you money on taking it in to a shop. If you don’t want to do the work yourself find a good shop from friends or someone on this forum and you will pay around $1500. give or take for all the above work.
Oh and purchase a WIS DVD Manual.
Oh and purchase a WIS DVD Manual.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 325
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL
2013 E63 AMG
Oh yea, the black stuff on your plugs is carbon build up, MAF Bad use only Bosch MB!! That’s why you have to run the fuel additive to clean your valves and plugs but still replace the plugs they need it.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
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From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 341
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From: Novato, California
2000 E55 AMG
These cars are bulletproof; assuming you properly maintain them. You can replace the spark plugs, replace your fuel filter, and replace all your fluids. In fact, I did when I first purchased my E55. I spent the $$$ for peace of mind. The funny thing is that in the end the culprit was the MAF sensor. Go figure. My money is on the MAF sensor. 
Enough said.
Enough said.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
These cars are bulletproof; assuming you properly maintain them. You can replace the spark plugs, replace your fuel filter, and replace all your fluids. In fact, I did when I first purchased my E55. I spent the $$$ for peace of mind. The funny thing is that in the end the culprit was the MAF sensor. Go figure. My money is on the MAF sensor. Enough said.
Enough said. haha.. my plugs do look bad tho. Either way I need to get them replaced. I wonder if I need to fix anything associated with the plugs? Anything at all? I'm hearing stuff about coil packs.. hmm?PS. What kind of plugs should I buy... a bit more specific, including gap-size. Thanks. When I saw the plug today... it said NGK on it with a Mercedes logo on the other side, looked OEM... I'm not sure but I'll put NGK in it again if needed.
Last edited by Nocturnal-G; Sep 26, 2007 at 05:30 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,546
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From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
With the car properly maintained, the plugs should go 100k miles but these sound to have too much build up. I just bought plugs from the stealership (I can buy wholesale with tax) and they are Bosch Platinums as recommended.
I hear that the plug wires to get are Magnecore 8mm, is this correct?
I hear that the plug wires to get are Magnecore 8mm, is this correct?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,546
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From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
I don't know if that's a good price for a mechanic but it still sounds a lot to me because I'm planning on changing them myself. My buddy is a mechanic in Pasadena so I'll give him a call tomorrow and ask him...
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: New York, NY
06 SV650S, 11 Santa Fe
If you can turn a wrench you can replace the spark plugs on your own. Save the $150. Also just because they went bad doesn't mean that anythign else has to be wrong. There is a lot going on inside the cylinders and parts wear out. Especially spark plugs. I've replaced the plugs on all the cars I've owned more than once and there was never anything else wrong other than the spark plugs. Don't freak out about it until after you've replaced them and see how it runs. Saying they should last for 100k miles is way too optimistic. There is nothing abnormal about the spark plugs getting fouled up in 60k miles of driving. Granted that doesn't mean something else isn't wrong for sure, MAF's do have a habit of dying it seems, but its not a guarantee.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 675
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From: LA, CA
2002 E55 AMG
I appreciate it alot.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 325
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL
2013 E63 AMG
Repair rates are from $65. to $150. per hour of labor and depends on the shop and city. Is this to change your spark plugs? 4 hour job that seems very fair if you don't want to get dirty. I have not replaced my plugs on my E55 yet but hear it takes 4-6 hours depending on who’s doing the work. All are pretty easy but the driver side last 2 plugs. Your plug wires may need to be replaced after install because sometimes they get broken during the install due to age and handling.
