[wlb50]

It was the same story with fan clutch nut. The previous monkey applied about 200 lp-ft. to the nut which took a cheater pipe to break. Anyways, first plug change on a new to me car is always nerve racking. Don't want to pull threads out of alloy head.

I have always used one of those spark plug starters, where you have a flexible extension and turn it by hand. Got mine at Sears years ago, but I guess that option is no longer available,

Here is the equivalent on Amazon. I once saw someone in a shop start theirs with an air ratchet! I am almost paranoid about cross threading those!

And FWIW I have switched camps on the "should you are shouldn't you" put anti seize on those threads. I have switched to the "don't" camp.

My neighbor had a 380SL and had a shop do an oil change- they apparently cross threaded the plug and instead of telling her put RTV silicone all around the bolt. Who knows how they started that bolt.

 

[SocalSam]

I have always used one of those spark plug starters, where you have a flexible extension and turn it by hand. Got mine at Sears years ago, but I guess that option is no longer available,

Here is the equivalent on Amazon. I once saw someone in a shop start theirs with an air ratchet! I am almost paranoid about cross threading those!

My neighbor had a 380SL and had a shop do an oil change- they apparently cross threaded the plug and instead of telling her put silicone all around the bolt. Who knows how they started that bolt.

You can bet I will be practicing at the junkyard before I go live. I need to buy tools. Offset wrench to pull coil wires and swivel socket from FCP. This is from watching videos but I would much prefer advice from those with actual experience.

 

[wlb50]

You can bet I will be practicing at the junkyard before I go live. I need to buy tools. Offset wrench to pull coil wires and swivel socket from FCP. This is from watching videos but I would much prefer advice from those with actual experience.

I had my shop friend pull the plugs at 120K miles. He said that he always replaces the wires, as you can many times get spark plug errors after have to pulled on old wires. And IIRC there was a special open end wrench for pulling off the boot...

 

[260e crusier]

You can bet I will be practicing at the junkyard before I go live. I need to buy tools. Offset wrench to pull coil wires and swivel socket from FCP. This is from watching videos but I would much prefer advice from those with actual experience.

I've done sparkplug change on three M112. Not a difficult job at all (the offset wrench is a must have). Wouldn't hurt to have some short wobble extensions. It does take time because there are things that you should change out "while you're in there".

I always change out ALL of the breather hoses. Reseal the valve covers if they're seeping and consider changing out the sparkplug wires. I didn't change mine as it is a major expense for three cars. If you're not going to change out the wire, remove them at the sparkplug only and do only one cylinder at a time.

 

[SocalSam]

Small progress today. Fixed lose column stalks today. Steering wheel nut fought a little, otherwise easy.

 

[walibran]

This thread was created to elicit quick report of TLC or modification not
necessarily worthy of a thread, but simply an opportunity for us to highlight
something, e.g. wash, new shoes, wiper blade, seat conditioner, etc. So, let's
brag or share, folks.

I cleaned out my windshield washer tank because the additives in the wash
corroded my sensor and it was reporting 'low fluid' though the tank was full.
A little tooth brushing and flossing did the trick. Natch I've switched to different
fluid. (stay away from RainX orange)
[/QU

Sorry, Too late. I am having the same problem. Will cleaning the sensor fix that?. I also had a problem when the temp got down to about 4 degrees Fahrenheit and I came out to an empty reservoir. Turns out there must have been water in my headlight washer jet assembly and it ejected the nozzle and emptied the reservoir. Just popped the jets back in and refilled the system.

 

[SocalSam]

Bought tools from ebay and parts and supplies from FCP Euro. Spent just under $500 today. Tools are EWK 17mm offset wrench, set of flex head ratcheting wrenches for motor mounts, and set of five lobe sockets mainly for MAF. Ordered mounts, fan clutch, and service kits from FCP.

 

[walibran]

You can bet I will be practicing at the junkyard before I go live. I need to buy tools. Offset wrench to pull coil wires and swivel socket from FCP. This is from watching videos but I would much prefer advice from those with actual experience.

Just changed my plugs at 130k (a little late) with some NGK iridiums. I removed the wires at the plug only with hose pliers from harbor freight then numbered and removed the coils to gain better access to the plugs (they are buried in the head). I then used a spark plug socket, a short extension and a swivel to get in there (best combo with lack of space in engine bay) job took about 3 hours for all 12 plugs (some were rusted in and threatened to break on me). all in all not a bad job

$15 USD for all 3 at harbor freight!

 

[SocalSam]

Just changed my plugs at 130k (a little late) with some NGK iridiums. I removed the wires at the plug only with hose pliers from harbor freight then numbered and removed the coils to gain better access to the plugs (they are buried in the head). I then used a spark plug socket, a short extension and a swivel to get in there (best combo with lack of space in engine bay) job took about 3 hours for all 12 plugs (some were rusted in and threatened to break on me). all in all not a bad job
View attachment 2811342
$15 USD for all 3 at harbor freight!

Thanks for that. NGK Iridiums. WIll be looking at those. I've practiced taking wires and coils off at the junkyard with a straight 17mm or 18mm wrench. More than a few wires fought. I'm anticipating half day for mine. There is a lot of oil and muck underneath coils which I will take time to clean. I am praying previous "mechanic" did not over torque the plugs. I've already encountered over torque with oil drain plug and fan clutch nut.

 

[walibran]

This week: Spark plug replacement at 130K. Seems to have cleared up my cyl4 misfire when cold problem. Replaced blower motor. Brushes totally worn to nothing.

Next: Rear brakes and replace leaky head cover gaskets!

 

[bluerooster]

Replaced sparkplugs, fuel filter, voltage regulator, fuel pressure regulator, and MAF sensor.

 

[SocalSam]

More small progress. Replaced 7 or 8 small diameter vacuum hoses around the engine. Also replaced MAF earlier this week. All of this got rid of P0170 and P0100 codes. Engine is running better than ever in the few short works I have had it.

 

[wlb50]

Went on our monthly first Sunday drive to the coolest restaurant geared towards bikers and car clubs

 

[wlb50]

How many of you put this rubber treatment on your weatherstripping? I'll have to admit the stuff from daimler is ridiculously expensive – like $40 or more. I think you can get another German product that's about half of that but I don't remember what it was.
Called naturally enough "Gummipflege" (Rubber Care)

but I put this stuff on this 22 year old weatherstripping and it just soaks it up

I show the part number on this label if anyone's interested

Doors, trunk, and hood

 

[SocalSam]

Decided to clean up the valve covers and coils from accumulated muck. Passenger side was worse so started there. Found one spark plug and wire that was oiled, cleaned them. Closer look at the coils revealed infamous cracks on all four. I have a spare set of Bosch coils so in they went. Motor runs better now. Will look at drivers side coils tomorrow.

Anyways, I have Bosch coils made in Germany and made in Slovenia. No external difference. Is there any performance or quality difference?

 

[wlb50]

Decided to clean up the valve covers and coils from accumulated muck. Passenger side was worse so started there. Found one spark plug and wire that was oiled, cleaned them. Closer look at the coils revealed infamous cracks on all four. I have a spare set of Bosch coils so in they went. Motor runs better now. Will look at drivers side coils tomorrow.

Anyways, I have Bosch coils made in Germany and made in Slovenia. No external difference. Is there any performance or quality difference?

Never heard of these coils prone to "crackinkg" - is it the covers?

 

[SocalSam]

Never heard of these coils prone to "crackinkg" - is it the covers?

Back side plastic housing that is contacting valve cover. Coils were original and have 174k miles. It is hot down here so maybe heat degradation?

 

[Deplore]

My E300 decided last week was the perfect time to yeet the alternator pulley in pouring rain. The one time a year we get biblical amount of rain in LA.

 

[SocalSam]

My E300 decided last week was the perfect time to yeet the alternator pulley in pouring rain. The one time a year we get biblical amount of rain in LA.



View attachment 2812388

View attachment 2812389

View attachment 2812390

View attachment 2812391

I got 12 inches rain last week.

 

[SocalSam]

Driver side had two cracked coils. That's 6 out 8 that were cracked.