Spark plugs after 12k

[fabes]

The E400 is in for an A5 service and MOT next week.
So that's a minor service plus brake fluid, air filter and spark plugs I believe.

I had the plugs done when I bought the car almost 3 years and just over 12,000 miles ago.

I am minded to ask MBS to skip the plugs as they should be good for 30,000 plus with no time related / age related pressure (outside of being a decade old barn find, which it isn't)

Anyone have any advice, comments or experience that could change my mind?

 

[W1ghty]

The E400 is in for an A5 service and MOT next week.
So that's a minor service plus brake fluid, air filter and spark plugs I believe.

I had the plugs done when I bought the car almost 3 years and just over 12,000 miles ago.

I am minded to ask MBS to skip the plugs as they should be good for 30,000 plus with no time related / age related pressure (outside of being a decade old barn find, which it isn't)

Anyone have any advice, comments or experience that could change my mind?

I think on my CLK they are 4-5 years and or 50,000 miles . So yes I personally would leave them another year or two .
I think one of the reasons for changing them every few years is so they actually come out easily rather than corrode themselves in ?

 

[DSM10000]

The E400 is in for an A5 service and MOT next week.
So that's a minor service plus brake fluid, air filter and spark plugs I believe.

I had the plugs done when I bought the car almost 3 years and just over 12,000 miles ago.

I am minded to ask MBS to skip the plugs as they should be good for 30,000 plus with no time related / age related pressure (outside of being a decade old barn find, which it isn't)

Anyone have any advice, comments or experience that could change my mind?

Possibly wise to have them removed and checked and, if Ok reinstalled?

 

[tony gee]

back in the day when i worked at a Datsun dealer, in between replacing the plugs they where remover for a clean.

 

[TC350]

I have the M276 engine and it does seem to specify lots of plug changes. With 6 of them it becomes expensive. But I have my services carried out by MB under a fixed price service plan so I'm happy to let them do it. I'd probably change them less often if it was an extra expense every time.

 

[markjay]

These days, spark plugs do not require any maintenance at all. Also, it is not recommended to refit the spark plugs once removed because it will require a different torque setting (it's doable, but not ideal).

They should (typically) be replaced every 40,000 miles or 4 years, whichever comes first.

The reason for replacing the spark plugs after 4 years, even if the mileage is low, is to prevent them from seizing in the cylinder head. And, again, once removed, they shouldn't really be refitted.

 

[tony gee]

These days, spark plugs do not require any maintenance at all. Also, it is not recommended to refit the spark plugs once removed because it will require a different torque setting (it's doable, but not ideal).

They should (typically) be replaced every 40,000 miles or 4 years, whichever comes first.

The reason for replacing the spark plugs after 4 years, even if the mileage is low, is to prevent them from seizing in the cylinder head. And, again, once removed, they shouldn't really be refitted.

the plugs on my bikes are in and out all the time !!!!! especially when you are trying to tune the engine with the carb settings, looking at the colour of the plugs will give you an idea of how its running

 

[markjay]

the plugs on my bikes are in and out all the time !!!!! especially when you are trying to tune the engine with the carb settings, looking at the colour of the plugs will give you an idea of how its running

I know, that's not ideal though because the integrated compression washer is single-use really, but yes you can re-tighten then, in the olden days we used to say new washer tighten till contact than further quarter turn, used washer one-eight turn. These days, however, you're not meant to touch them...

BTW, for your purpose, you can try Gunson Colortune (glass plug), it's great for carburetor tuning.

 

[KennyN]

Depends how feel about the car having a FSH , or not. May not be a big deal to you but you just know it will be a major event (to some) come sale time.

Absolutely no reason that the plugs need replaced after such a low mileage apart from the fact that the servicing schedule says so to extract as many unjustifiable pounds from your pocket as possible.

My BM has had four oil changes , one new set of plugs fitted , three brake fluid changes in 12k miles - because the car says it needs them regardless of miles , i wasn`t aware that plugs / oil have a short term shelf life

The Cayenne is going in for a minor service next month and the oil is just 2k miles old , even though it has 8k miles remaining on the mileage countdown , according to the app.

K

 

[tony gee]

I know, that's not ideal though because the integrated compression washer is single-use really, but yes you can re-tighten then, in the olden days we used to say new washer tighten till contact than further quarter turn, used washer one-eight turn. These days, however, you're not meant to touch them...

BTW, for your purpose, you can try Gunson Colortune (glass plug), it's great for carburetor tuning.

but when you've been doing it for over 40 years you get a feel for them
Ive got a Gunson colour tune and used it, great for tuning the idle circuit but not accurate enough for off idle, you might get the colour you want when rev's are increased but their is no load on the engine and that will make a difference. not a good idea to ride and look down at the same time

 

[Mickyh7]

the plugs on my bikes are in and out all the time !!!!! especially when you are trying to tune the engine with the carb settings, looking at the colour of the plugs will give you an idea of how its running

I raced 250 and 350 2 strokes in the 70s/80s.
My plugs would be in and out 10-12 times a day depending on the air pressure/ weather.
And how cold the engine got between races, cold starts etc.
Different plugs to start, then warm up and then change to harder plugs.
Never lost a thread but went through many pistons!

 

[tony gee]

I raced 250 and 350 2 strokes in the 70s/80s.
My plugs would be in and out 10-12 times a day depending on the air pressure/ weather.
And how cold the engine got between races, cold starts etc.
Different plugs to start, then warm up and then change to harder plugs.
Never lost a thread but went through many pistons!

god bless two strokes very rare to see one on the road these days

 

[Mickyh7]

god bless two strokes very rare to see one on the road these days

I almost kept a GT750a Suzuki.
But went against my dad's advice, and sold it mid 80s.
It would have been worth £1000s now £10-£20K I believe!

 

[Fastcar155]

I understand know that the Mercedes service plans have raised in price above inflation.

On my C207 E400 the service plan cost £38.00 per month and covered most thing that I felt was good value for money.

I fully understand that cost is paramount but I unless a car is not correctly service it would be a non starter unless the asking price is reduced considerably ( allowing me to put the car in the condition it should be in )

From memory the spark plugs were changed every 4 years or 40000 miles.

VW state on the service plan is increased part exchange value , well a single British £ is an increase.

 

[TC350]

I almost kept a GT750a Suzuki.
But went against my dad's advice, and sold it mid 80s.
It would have been worth £1000s now £10-£20K I believe!

I'm sure that most of us have been there. Many years ago I sold a lovely 1953 Jaguar XK120 DHC for £179 (that's right, one hundred and seventy nine British pounds) They're now selling at over £100k!

 

[Mickyh7]

I'm sure that most of us have been there. Many years ago I sold a lovely 1953 Jaguar XK120 DHC for £179 (that's right, one hundred and seventy nine British pounds) They're now selling at over £100k!

Wow!

 

[tony gee]

I almost kept a GT750a Suzuki.
But went against my dad's advice, and sold it mid 80s.
It would have been worth £1000s now £10-£20K I believe!

yep they are selling for good money now, ive sold bikes in the past for next to nowt, now worth way more

 

[markjay]

but when you've been doing it for over 40 years you get a feel for them
Ive got a Gunson colour tune and used it, great for tuning the idle circuit but not accurate enough for off idle, you might get the colour you want when rev's are increased but their is no load on the engine and that will make a difference. not a good idea to ride and look down at the same time

Fit a GoPro looking down on the glass plug

 

[fabes]

Hmmmm.....

Next year will be 4 years and 16k - ish
It will also be a more comprehensive (read expensive) B service, even at MBS.

I'll see what Cole and the team say about the brakes and any (unexpected) MOT work and their view on holding off on the plugs
If it's clear on both on all fronts, I may swallow it and get them done this year to lessen the cost next year.

If there's a big brake or MOT bill then dodge it this year, just to make it a little more palatable.

By the time I ever sell this car (no plans or 'itch' at all) I should have several more years of services from MBS in the folder, so a buyer of it at 12 or more years old won't be concerned.

Thanks for the input guys n' gals

 

[ALFAitalia]

yep they are selling for good money now, ive sold bikes in the past for next to nowt, now worth way more

Same as nearly everyone.....If I had all my old 70s to 90s bikes and cars....I could sel them and buy another house.....but they were worth very little when I sold them! The three Capris and two MKk2 Escorts alone would fetch a tidy sum...... then there were a few air cooling two stroke Yamahas, an LC, and KH500 etc etc. Aint hindsight great!!