Mercedes M113 W220 W215 Engine Service

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crownhouse

New Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2009
Messages
27
Location
Oxford UK
Car
W215 W140 and W115
MERCEDES W220 / W215 M113 Engine Service
I serviced my engine today, changing the Spark Plugs, Engine Oil, Oil Filter and Air Filters.
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With the engine warmed, I opened and removed the oil filter on the top front of the engine then raised the car on a ramp, removed the engine underside panel (four 8mm bolts) and using a 13mm spanner, opened the engine oil sump plug to drain away the old oil.
The replacement oil filter had all the O-rings required and with all the old oil drained away, I used a new copper washer to seal the oil sump plug. Underside panel back in place, I lowered the car and poured in two 5L containers of Fully Synthetic 5W-40 Castrol Edge with TITANIUM FST.

OIL FILTER USED: MANN-FILTER high performance filter element
These have been specially developed for use in modern engines. Thanks to outstanding dirt holding capacity, high material resistance and a filter fineness perfectly matched to the relevant vehicle model, the filter inserts can cope with intensive use and deliver superb results. The most modern filter media prolong service intervals and will continue to meet the technical requirements of high-performance engines in future.
Through the integration of additional functions or features, the cost effectiveness and range of functions of the filter elements are increased further by using a non-return membrane: the membrane retains the engine oil in the oil module as soon as the engine stops. Compared with a conventional return stop valve installed in the housing, the membrane solution offers an even faster and thus optimised oil supply when starting the engine.
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Castrol EDGE 5W-40 is our strongest and most advanced range of engine oils. Its Castrol EDGE with TITANIUM FST: helping your engine perform at its best. Castrol EDGE 5W-40 gives you the confidence to demand maximum engine performance from today’s latest technology, highly engineered engines that operate with tighter tolerances, requiring a high level of protection and low viscosity oils.

ENGINE OIL USED: Castrol EDGE 5W-40 with TITANIUM FST
  • Maximises short and long term engine performance
  • Reduces engine deposits to help maximise engine response
  • Sustains maximum performance even when under pressure
  • Independently proven to Improve engine efficiency
  • Delivers unsurpassed levels of protection across a variety of driving conditions and temperature
  • Delivers and sustains maximum horsepower for longer, even when under pressure

The oil filter pack came with fitting instructions and with a thin smear of oil on the new O-rings, the new filter was (opened and) secured using a basic Mercedes oil filter wrench cap. The oil change is the easy and straight forward.
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The tricky part of the job is fitting 16 new spark plugs. To make the job as easy as possible, you will need two 16mm spark plug wrench sockets, one with a rubber insert and the other without. 3 wrench spanner extensions, one with a wobble head, another with a fixed head and a flexi joint knuckle extension. A T25 and a T30 torx head bit to remove coil packs and air filter covers. To remove the plug leads you can make a tool for the job by cutting the ring front of a 17mm ring spanner.
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There are two separate pieces that make up the engine cover, a smaller cover across the front and a larger cover over the main part of the engine. The smaller front cover is held two types of clamps. A set that hold it down on the sides and a set that slot into notches on the rear larger cover. To remove the smaller front cover, place your finger under the right and left sides of the front section and exert upward pressure just enough to free the side press on clamps. Once these are free, raise the cover slightly and pull the cover towards you, alternating side to side to wiggle it off.
With the front cover off, compress and remove both side air ducts that feed the rear cover air filter housing. The rear cover is held down by friction clamps that fit over ball sockets. Lift off the main cover by position your hands at opposite corners and gently teasing it off. When replacing the covers work in the reverse order (rear main cover first) lining up the pins and sockets and re-position with gentle downward pressure.
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With the engine covers removed, partially undo all the coil pack bolts. Starting from the front of the engine, completely undo the first coil pack, remove the T30 torx screw/bolt then move the freed coil pack slightly away from the engine. Using the 17mm ring socket tool that you’ve made, use the open end to latch under the top metal part of the plug lead and then pry the cap away from and off the spark plug. It is much easier and safer than using basic spark plug cap pullers. There are two leads per coil pack. After both caps have been freed, turn the coil pack over and onto the engine then proceed to the next coil pack. Four on each side working from front remembering how the leads are positioned.
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To remove the Old spark plugs, I started from the rear of the engine. Use the 16mm spark plug socket with a rubber insert because this will hold on to the spark plug making it easier to extract once free. Start by placing the socket on to the plug, then fit the extension with the wobble head and finally the wrench spanner. The wobble head extension allows you turn the socket at varying angles, a procedure that you will find necessary due to the space constrictions. If the spark plugs (especially at the rear) are a tight fit, you may find it easier to break the seal using the fixed head extension. Once the seal has been (broken) freed, revert to the wobble head extension to make the process of undoing the spark plug easier. As you move to the spark plugs nearer the front of the engine (where there is more space) you may find that adding the flexi joint knuckle extension will help in removal.
To fit the New spark plugs, use the 16mm spark plug socket without a rubber insert. If you use the socket with a rubber insert, once the spark plug is secure, the socket will not come off the plug when you remove your tools. When fitting the new spark plugs, I found it easier to start from the locations rear of the engine. Again, first start by placing the new spark plug into its location with the aid of the plug socket (without a rubber insert). Attach the wobble head extension rod and thread the spark plug into its location using your hand only. When it gets too difficult to use your hand, attach the wrench spanner to the extension and tighten the spark plug. Required torque is 15-22 lb-ft.
16 old spark plugs removed and 16 new spark plugs fitted. Now it is time to refit the coil packs. If you remember when taking the coil packs off, you start from the front of the engine. To refit the coil packs you now have to start from the rear of the engine. Turn the rearmost coil pack over and onto its required position. Fit the lead cap on to the spark plug (rear first) and using the 17mm ring socket tool that you’ve made, place the open end of the tool over the latch on the top metal part of the plug lead and push the cap on to the spark plug (with a bit of force) until you hear it click into place. Do the same for the forward lead of the same coil pack. When both leads are secured, place the coil pack to its required position and loosely thread the T30 torx screw/bolt to keep the coil pack in place. Continue this procedure with the next forward coil pack. When all coil packs and leads have been fitted, the T30 torx screw/bolts can then be tightened up.

SPARK PLUGS USED: NGK Iridium IX BKR5EIX-11 – Ultimate Performance
Designed specifically for the performance enthusiast, Iridium IX offers extreme ignitability, improved throttle response and superior anti-fouling.
  • Fine iridium tip ensures high durability and a consistently stable spark
  • Iridium alloy has extremely high melting point, perfect for today’s high-tech, high-performance engines
  • Trivalent metal plating provides superior anti-corrosion and anti-seizing properties
  • Outstanding acceleration, high fuel efficiency and durability
  • Ultimate design, technology and performance

The air filters are an easy job. Flip your engine cover over and undo the T25 torx screws holding the filter covers in place (four per side). Remove the old filters and replace with new ones. Replace cover and tighten up the T25 torx screws in a diagonal order.
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AIR FILTERS USED: WIX Panel Air Filter
The air filter media features nine pleats per inch, resulting in a longer life and the ability to capture more engine-killing contaminants.
It is a Panel air filter that provides air with a linear path and low air restriction. WIX panel air filters have special pocket pleats in the media, held together with specially formulated adhesive. The filter media is framed by a urethane soft sealing gasket and is supported (when applicable) by a mesh screen, which are both moulded in place with the filter element.

Check that there are no tools left on or around the engine. Do a quick inspection of all the work you have done and once satisfied, securely replace the engine covers and the jobs done.
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All in, it took me about 3-4 hours. Knowing beforehand the complexities of the spark plug change, I opted to use Iridium spark plugs because they last the longest. With my new spark plugs good for 60,000 km, at 12,000 km a year, I would not be doing this for another 5 years.
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Thanks for reading - The engine now runs so smooth and so sweet
 
Last edited:
Good write up!
Re 'Once the seal has been (broken) freed, revert to the wobble head extension to make the process of undoing the spark plug easier.'

In tight fits over the years I have found using a rubber hose from a brake servo the quickest & most versatile tool! You use a Brake hose opposed to a heater hose as the vaccum hose is double lined & therefore holds on tighter.
Once the plug is broken free take the hose & push it onto the plug, the hose holds on really tightly to the ceramic part & can be bent to any shape , I just spin it out super fast. Refitting is so much easier too ,as you can 'feel' the plug into its hole with less risk of cross threading.
 

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