W208 320 spark plug replacement

[chris846]

Three hours! - is this normal
..and if it weren't for my mate's fantastic selection of 3/8 drive extensions, it'd've been impossible.
Seriously, I coated the threads with anti-seize, but I've since read that they should be dry - anyone know why? (there's no way I'd want to risk damaging the threads or breaking a plug)
cheers
chris

 

[momomo]

You can coat them with grease if you wish, it wont do any damage.

 

[MarkJunedd]

Yes they are interesting to change arent they!! Dont know how many skinned knuckles I had after changing mine.

 

[BlackC55]

20 mins....

 

[markjay]

You can coat them with grease if you wish, it wont do any damage.

The old school say coat with copper grease (or graphite grease, before copper grease became widely available). Tightening rules were very simple in those days, e.g. tighten until contact then another 1/8 or 1/4 turn etc.

New approach is leave dry, and tighten to specified torque, usually around 22-25NM. The idea behind it is that the torque is for dry plug; greased plug tighten to torque will be over-tighten.

Having said that, I removed original spark plugs from a Vauxhall Omega, and the plug were coated with copper grease from the factory.

So I guess there are different views - but I wouldn't think that you have caused any damage. So in your place I wouldn't worry about it...

 

[MB TECH]

20 mins....

Do you only charge 0.3hr labour for 112 v6 spark plug change?

 

[chris846]

Hey Olly
- have you woken up to a queue of customers outside your house this morning?

 

[BlackC55]

Do you only charge 0.3hr labour for 112 v6 spark plug change?

Never.

1.5 normally.

 

[Howard]

How long was it for 16

 

[gazza9911]

Three hours! - is this normal
..and if it weren't for my mate's fantastic selection of 3/8 drive extensions, it'd've been impossible.
Seriously, I coated the threads with anti-seize, but I've since read that they should be dry - anyone know why? (there's no way I'd want to risk damaging the threads or breaking a plug)
cheers
chris

Iv'e just had my plugs changed at a local garage - he showed me on the computer to allow 2.5 hours to change all 12 plugs (plugs and HT leads & fitting £355)

 

[BlackC55]

The correct labour time is 1.6 hours from MB. This is the official time

 

[MarkJunedd]

Iv'e just had my plugs changed at a local garage - he showed me on the computer to allow 2.5 hours to change all 12 plugs (plugs and HT leads & fitting £355)

You paid £355 for that.............. My skinned knuckles now seem cheap!

 

[BlackC55]

Iv'e just had my plugs changed at a local garage - he showed me on the computer to allow 2.5 hours to change all 12 plugs (plugs and HT leads & fitting £355)

New HT leads from Mb are at least £300 alone. I take it they were aftermarket leads.

I have stopped using the aftermaket leads as I have found them to be utter cack.

 

[MarkJunedd]

I bought a new set from GSF which look and are of the same dimensions as the orignals for £70.

 

[chris846]

re. the coil packs/plug leads - are these expected to deteriorate and require replacement during normal use? I didn't check mine during the service.
cheers
chris

 

[Howard]

I have stopped using the aftermaket leads as I have found them to be utter cack.

You're the second indy to have told me that Olly ... Colin said the same.