G500 Spark Plugs warning
Thought it worth a mention so you can check your own.
Had my plugs changed on the G500 yesterday. Although they only had 36K on them and could have lasted to 60, they were extremely difficult to remove. Mechanic thinks they have been in there since new and should have been removed @ 4 years. Took about 3 hours to do, I was there. He reckons if I'd left it any longer and it could have been a big problem. Obviously MB say 4 years for a reason
David
When I bought my G it had covered little distance in the last 4y. I too replaced them for that reason. What did you pay for one? I reacon if we bulk ordered we could save a bit. 32 plugs between us :)
How often do they need replaced???
Thought it worth a mention so you can check your own.
Had my plugs changed on the G500 yesterday. Although they only had 36K on them and could have lasted to 60, they were extremely difficult to remove. Mechanic thinks they have been in there since new and should have been removed @ 4 years. Took about 3 hours to do, I was there. He reckons if I'd left it any longer and it could have been a big problem. Obviously MB say 4 years for a reason
David
Hi David,
I'm sure they were difficult. My 280GE was bad enough crawling about in the engine bay.
They were bad enough on the 500SL and 500SEL, SEC etc. and they are SO EASILY cross threaded. :shock:
Personally I wouldn't run plugs for more than 20000 miles. It's false economy IMHO, as it will use more fuel and have less power on old plugs.
Oliver
The job took me 3 days (admittedly in between many other things and I was doing it very leasurely) but 16 plugs doesn't help, some of them in real awkward locations. I guess a garage that has worked on the 500 (M113) engine in any other merc should be reasonably capable of doing it safely. The right tools make a world of difference.
When I had mine done back in June, they had it down for 3.5 hrs. When I questioned them, it's because it had two sparks per cylinder (which was news to me!), they then showed me why, difficult to get to, however after 7 years (they had not been replaced after the suggested 4) they were a bit stiff, but as they said 'No more than usual'
Spider1V
I broke a couple of tools trying to undo some; I think he might have been thinking of the consequences of breaking a plug in the head *insert worried smiley*
I wonder is it best done with the engine hot??
Is this possible??
does the aluminium head expand more than the steel/ceramic ? sparkplug
jat
M
That's what he tried on the second bank Marcus. The engine was just warm when he did the first 8, but he had so much trouble he put it back together and ran the engine for about 10 minutes until hot. Most seemed marginally easier but a couple were the worst of the lot.
David
Thanks for your reply David.
Now to digress
I once attempted to change the heater plugs on a Vento at about 05.30 am immediately before departing on hols in the self same car.
For me a simple job.
Well some c--t had phoned and phoned and phoned at about 04.30, and when i finally straggled out of bed it was a wrong number.
So I stayed up and done something useful--not
like I got one of the glow plugs cross threaded
and it would not seal.
Hmmm
Phoned a friend
He said and I kid you not
Rub it in the dirt and screw it in, fingers crossed it should be OK
and it WAS
I tell you that bugger stayed in there until the wife put the car through the hedge, then it was no odds.
Remove the washer bottle and anything else that bolts on to give better access, it is good practice to at least make sure they are not seized in the head every once in a while if you are going to run them for 60,000 miles.
I tell you that bugger stayed in there until the wife put the car through the hedge, then it was no odds.
:D :D
Just had mine done at Klasse of Fulham for £360 ..parts and time..they picked up and dropped off and valeted the car so seems like a good place to me...any one have experience with them?
Hmm a 300td has plugs? :lol:
Also I'd ask any new place I go to to keep the spares so I can see them myself (that way it's difficult NOT to put it new ones).
Now I am confused?! He did leave me 1 plug which he pulled out..so they do have glow plugs and the warning lights that was an issue is gone
I think the G500 people were talking of spark plugs, while you speak of glow plugs, which might have different replacement intervals (and different difficulty level on an inline-6, as opposed to the petrol V8 ).
I'm sure the guys with 300td's can chime in with their experience.
I gather that the spark plugs for the V8-engined G500 are the same as for the V6-engined ML320.
Can somebody tell me what brand and references are the recommended ones?
Mine were last changed in December 2004 when the car had 105,000 kms. Now it's got 173,000 kms and though fuel consumption averages a very decent 21.7 mpg I think I should consider replacing them.
Thanks in advance...
Also, can anybody advice on what tool innecessary to undo the spark plugs? I have read in a US fourm that I need a 5/8-in spark plug socket but I have no idea what is the equivalence in metric...
I don't think you'll have much trouble removing the spark plugs themselves, with a spark plug socket and extension with a universal joint, or "wobble bar". The difficult part is removing the spark plug boots.
I think this tool is what is needed to make the job easier:
http://www.amazon.com/Spark-Plug-Metal-Remover-Wrench/dp/B000Q6QM8M/ref=...
I don't think you'll have much trouble removing the spark plugs themselves, with a spark plug socket and extension with a universal joint, or "wobble bar". The difficult part is removing the spark plug boots.
I think this tool is what is needed to make the job easier:
http://www.amazon.com/Spark-Plug-Metal-Remover-Wrench/dp/B000Q6QM8M/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1222619022&sr=1-6
Well, I found these pics of a fella that suggests that removing the front wheels and the heat shield makes the whole thing much easier.... any suggestions?
Sorry I must confess I know little of MLs, maybe if you post it in the ML section of the forum or on P3 under that section?
On the G I also had to remove a few bits (heat shield), and don't forget you need the right bit (I forget, allen or torx) to remove the ignition coil packs.
Sorry I must confess I know little of MLs, maybe if you post it in the ML section of the forum or on P3 under that section?
On the G I also had to remove a few bits (heat shield), and don't forget you need the right bit (I forget, allen or torx) to remove the ignition coil packs.
¡Aha! That's what I needed to know too....
Found this for a similar engine; I think it describes the process better.
http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=216940
I ordered that wrench last week from MB (W110 589 010 100) a bit dear at around £20!
Very satisfying once done...
Jesus, Your plugs are well over due for replacement. That was the statement at the beginning of this thread-that over time they get difficult to remove due to corrosion.
Jesus, Your plugs are well over due for replacement. That was the statement at the beginning of this thread-that over time they get difficult to remove due to corrosion.
My thoughts exactly...
Maybe I've missed it but, nobody has mentioned putting copperease on the spark plug threads. Not something that would have stopped the original problem but useful when doing your own maintenance.
I think there must be a reason they leave it out originally (possibly fouls the threads with time, which means they need cleaning, not an easy task with the head on). Though I think more experienced mechanics can chip in with their experience on newer MB engines. I think torquing it to spec only applies if you apply new plugs to a clean head. Any other material interferes with the torque reading...
Personal experience on the M103 inline 6: I haven't had any problems removing plugs after tightening them without any grease or lubricant (after 1-2 years).
JOIN THE GWOA
This website and forum are provided for the benefit of enthusiasts and owners of all Mercedes Benz off road vehicles, in particular the G Wagen. The costs of development, upkeep and provision of the site are met entirely by the annual subscriptions of club members. If you are using the site and are not a member of the G Wagen Owners Association please consider joining. You will have access to areas on the site that are not open to non members, to club trips and meetings and to technical assistance. In addition your contribution (only £25 annually) will help us maintain and develop our website for future users.
Who's new
- Jaffa_JIM_23
- Wrabstar
- GG
- KTMSCANIA22
- 280ge
Roly, good idea. £8 each I think he said, for MB branded iridium tipped.
Fred
If I remember correctly, plug service interval 60K miles or 4 years.
Richard Lamb my mechanic in Carlisle (Autotech 01228 538003) has lots of experience with G's and M113's. I have helped/hindered him on many occasions. He's a very capable guy, not easily deterred or flustered, but this was the first time I saw a genuinely worried look on his face.
David