This is my first post and probably won't be my last, I decided to add a DIY spark plug change for the 96 and 97 E320 owners, so here is a step by step procedure with pictures hopefully this will be added into the DIY section.
Tools-Torque wrench(recommended),5/8 or 10mm plug socket, extensions, ratchet, allen key. Needle nose plier) and various screw drivers.
Parts-6 spark plugs, Bosch F8DC4(OE) or any other suitable Bosch spark plugs.
1. Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery, this can be done by either removing the rear seat and disconnecting it from the battery itself or by locating and disconnecting the copper cable (nut size 11mm) found in the foot area of the rear right passenger seat behind a credit card sized plastic trim piece just above the floor mat.
2. Disconnect the MAF sensor and remove the MAF housing from the air filter box(2 metal clips and unscrew the circular metal clamp, cover it well, you don't want any foreign particles entering the sensor) and then remove the air inlet hosing thats connected to the throttle valve(3 nuts 10mm, 1 infront 2 behind and a metal circular clamp under the Inlet manifold you need a long screw driver)
3.Remove the black cover in the middle of the engine(allen keys) and there you'll see 3 HT leads(wires) and 3 coil packs, luckily we don't need the special HT lead (spark plug wires) removal tool you can use your hands to pull the packs and wires off. I did it one by one becasue this was the first time I was changing the plugs on my first car just gently pull the wire off undo the plug and use a needle nosed plier to carefully remove the spark plug out of the hole put the new one in same way with the pliers and and carefully rotate it into the thread observing its angle down the hole and when all is well tighten it to 28nm(20.5 foot pounds) with the torque wrench,
When removing the coil packs you should disconnect the two wires on either side before pulling it out (in one of holes in the corners of all 3 coil packs you will see a gold collar with a silver bolt in the middle DO NOT try to unscrew it, it is a part of the thread) and place your fingers evenly around the sides and as it comes up you should hear a clicking sound this is a small circlip pin moving up the thread of that silver bolt. If the coil pack refuses to come out and keeps on going back down then you will have to lift it up slightly and use a flat head screw driver to pry a small clip off the gold collar under the coil pack in one of the corners this is only necessary if the coil pack doesn't want to come off. Repeat the same step for all other plugs and when replacing the wires and coils make sure you hear a click and double check by pushing down hard.
When replacing the coil packs the continous clicking of the clip going down the thread will supersede the click of the connection between the wire and the plug so don't worry if you don't hear it.
Once all the new plugs are in and all wires are correctly fitted back into the coils and plugs you can put the black cover back on and tighten the allen bolts sequentially and then place the air inlet hosing back into its original place and place the (remove the cover) MAF housing back into the air filter box tighten all bolts and clamps double check replace the MAF sensor connection.
Lastly reconnect the battery and start the car, assuringly it should start if not go back and start from the begining! My experience of disconnecting the battery led to no need for re-synchronisation of the windows, seats or power sunroof only two things the remote locking and radio code so have it ready.
Please feel free to make any comments and corrections regarding this DIY thank you.
1. is it necessary to disconnect the battery before changing spark plugs?
2. What are the two golf-ball-sized holes on the engine head under the air inlet housing? Is the air fed thru them as well as thru the throttle body?
3. What is the part between the two rows of air intake magnifold? Is is a box right of the throttle inlet valve.
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W210 1996 E320 Exterior Smoked Silver, Interior Mushroom.
133.5 K miles as of April/08.
Last edited by texholdem : 01-27-2008 at 08:19 AM.
Hi Ohlord, I have no idea because this is my first car I purchased it back in september 07, I'm assuming its been changed because my coil packs don't seem to be the original (compared to other members coils) so thats a good indication to whether or not the wiring harness has been touched, so I'll just have to wait until the rain stops and take another look, thanks for the question it didn't cross my mind when i was changing the plugs.
1. is it necessary to disconnect the battery before changing spark plugs?
2. What are the two golf-ball-sized holes on the engine head under the air inlet housing? Is the air fed thru them as well as thru the throttle body?
3. What is the part between the two rows of air intake magnifold? Is is a box right of the throttle inlet valve.
Hi texholdem:
1. I believe so because you will be disconnecting high voltage wires and working with conductive tools so it would be a good idea
2. Yes, they are 2 small air ports going into the head probably to aid in cooling, you'll notice 2 small short tubes under the air inlet housing they may have a slight amount of oil on them so give them a wipe.
3. I'm not sure but I think its housing for the throttle actuator unit, follow the link Ohlord gave me and you'll see a better picture of it.
Thanks for the writeup RubenCR.
I've been hoping someone would write up something like this for inline 6 as I've only seen a DIY for the V6 from 98 on.
Just one question ( dumb one ) as I have not taken anything off the engine yet and am just going by your pic's and once I'm in there it might make more sense.
I see the three coil packs from your pictures and there seems to be a plug under each pack. Now the dumb question - where are the other three plugs ?
Thanks for the writeup RubenCR.
I've been hoping someone would write up something like this for inline 6 as I've only seen a DIY for the V6 from 98 on.
Just one question ( dumb one ) as I have not taken anthing off the engine yet and am just going by your pic's and once I'm in there it might make more sense.
I see the three coil packs from your pictures and there seems to be a plug under each pack. Now the dumb question - where are the other three plugs ?
Thanks
Not at all a "dumb question", the other 3 plugs are right next to the coil packs, you'll see in the pictures the 3 HT leads(wires) in between the coils with a small hexagon shaped head with a wire going through the middle on the plug connector and if you look at the picture with the coil pack on the right the HT lead is disconnected at the top of the picture and the hole to the spark plug is on the left.
I see it now.As I said before ,once I'm in there it will be seen more clearly.If there are no problems getting anything off, how long did it take you to do the job from start to finish ?
engine wiring harness is not a problem on w210, only on previous years w124. also when changing the spark plugs (F8DC4 only) on m104, don't forget to change the 3 connectors also, they cost like $12.
the whole job shoulnd't take longer than 20 minutes to someone who has done it before, and less then 1 hr to someone doing it for the first time. pretty easy job on m104, but it needs to be done every 30k miles.
About 2 hours, i wasn't in a rush and it was my first time attempting it so I was quite cautious replacing each plug individually, thanks for the information Tirona took a lot off my mind.
Now while you were in there did you inspect the harness per
ohlord
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