Mercedes Spark Plug Replacement

If you like these videos, please subscribe. This video shows the spark plug and coil pack replacement on a 2016 Mercedes GLE350. It is shown without having to remove the intake manifold.
A change in the recommendations is: do not use oil on the threads. Either use nothing or use an anti-seize compound. Oil on the threads can result in over torquing (when using a torque wrench). As the liquid portion of the oil boils off, the residue can made removal in the future more difficult. If this has helped, please like and subscribe.
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[@waynehsmithi4792]

Very good work Frank. Two years ago I did spark plug change on 2014 E350 (with similar engine) and I never removed the intake manifold; I don't see how such removal make the task any easier either. Thumbs up Frank !

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

Thanks. I had watched some other videos and they removed the intake. Why make life more difficult, I say. :)

[@chialee445]

Thanks alot for sharing, just had mine changed out at 110k as well for the first time. Was thinking about diy, but deferred to mechanic, will definitely try it next time after seeing your video. Thanks again

[@FrankTG1028]

Thanks for the great video. The coil connectors came off easily after treating them over night with silicone oil (mine seem to not have been touched for years). Please make sure that plastic etc is not hurt by the oil.

[@chocolatecakerecipe]

Thanks for the video. If I can add: 1: use air compressor to blow off any dirt before unscrewing the old spark plugs. 2: use Dielectric Spark Plug Boot Grease on the coil packs. 3: I believe a battery disconnect is needed before unplugging the ECU connector.

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

Good suggestions, but I didn't unplug the ECU. The main wiring harness remained (with power) remained. I just rotated it aside. But if the ECU were to be removed, then a battery disconnect would be a good idea.

[@darrenbelizaire]

Get this man to 1000k subs

[@emerssonortiz4206]

Thank you!!!!

[@fouadchrifi]

Thank you 🙏

[@gezzy4k]

Good job , thank you so much

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

Glad it helped.

[@josemolina6336]

Good WOrk Frank Thank You.

[@itsmeforsure5475]

Nice work. I'm struggling trying to take the intake manifold off so you're helping me out big time here. The other video shows taking off the intake manifold is easy, but not on the gle350. It seems like you have to take off the lower windshield assemblies.

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

I did this spark plug replacement on aa GLE350. I did NOT need to remove the intake manifold.

[@itsmeforsure5475]

@@letsrolldiyauto1532 Did you remove the ECU bracket? The #5 coil won't come out of my 2018. I haven't tried #6 yet and it looks like the bracket does not go back that far.

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

@@itsmeforsure5475 I did not have to remove the bracket on my 2016. But #6 was a little bit of a struggle.

[@itsmeforsure5475]

On the 2018 GLE350, you'll spend 1 hr on 5 spark plugs and 5 hrs on 1 spark plug. If the genesises at MB would have put alittle more slack in the wiring harnesses, it would have been easy. I ended up disconnecting the O2 sensors on the driver side to give alittle more room. MB was nice enough to superglue the coil packs on so hopefully you have a nice assortment of long pliers. The back of the ECU holding bracket comes off too so that gives alittle more room too and you need to take it off to get the #5 plug out.

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

@@itsmeforsure5475 Some engineering does tend to amaze me. I rplaced the plugs and coil packs on my 2009 Aston Martin DB9 (V12). Your assessment with the 2018 GLE sounds like mine with the DB9 - 1 hours on 11 plugs and 8 hours on 1 plug. :(

[@user-pf5lp5ik7y]

To get the intake manifold I use a 12 point 5/16th 1/4 inch socket

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

Because it wasn’t removed. It just pulls up and positioned out of the way. It’s held in by grommets only.

[@toodledoemeu8]

Thanks for the video! Does your Foxwell read SRS error as well? Seems like a budget-friendly reader.

[@Drimplant]

Yes

[@oabus]

Just curious as to why you used oil instead of anti seize on the plugs. Excellent video, hope you do more on the engine like cleaning the throttle body and MAF sensor. Good day to all.

[@Drimplant]

Because it was handy. And a hold over habit from long ago. Anti-seize would be better.

[@jorgiemboricua]

Thanks for the video. I have a question. Did you remove the battery connection?

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

No I did not.

[@alangoldsmith4301]

MBZ GLE 350 2018 (5 yrs old) Service 3A requires spark plug replacement even if the car only has 41K miles. Is this valid or can the plugs go for many more miles?

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

I usually try to go with factory recommendations. After all, it’s their engineers who designed the car. That being said, I changed mine at 110,000 miles. There were no misfires when I changed them. If you have an OBD and can read misfires, that would be a good indication as to the necessity. If you get some misfires, then change them. Otherwise, I’d say at your discretion.

[@bernardpadin5410]

where did you get the thin wall socket? is it a 15mm?

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

Thin walled 14mm spark plug socket: amzn.to/40DVxFn

[@jeffalan8637]

I don't recommend putting oil on the s. Plug threads....for several reasons (Or anti-seize) exception; iron blocks; I've put a little "gold" anti-seize on top of threads near s. Plug body at taper. Also, a dab of dielectric grease around inside of s. Plug wire boot is a good practice.

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

I would say that you are correct.

[@robertrolley4161]

How exactly do you mobilize the ECU to pull it up out of the way? I’m trying to access the driver’s side coils on my GLE but can’t figure out how/where the ECU is mounted in order to get it out of the way

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

Once you remove the connector on the front, it just pulls up. It's held in by rubber grommets.

[@historyv350]

Does removing the connector on the ECU cause any issue when starting up the engine again later?

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6CrZ5WCos-jms0

[@Hans-ly9sr]

Great Video. Did you unplug the ECU?

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

Not completely. I unplugged the front connector, but not the main cable. I just rotated the ECU out of thee way.

[@Hans-ly9sr]

@@letsrolldiyauto1532 Thank you so much. This will help a lot.

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6CrZ5WCos-jms0

[@gregchapman7438]

These plugs need to be indexed per Mercedes TSB or piston damage may occur.

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

From what I’ve read on forums, if you use OEM plugs and torque to MB specs, they will be properly indexed. There is a 90 degree (45 each side) leeway. Assuming there is clearance either way, indexing accounts for about a 1% difference in HP. Trying to index using additional washers or altering the washer can result in loosening of the plug. But I suppose it’s never a bad idea to check.

[@user-bs2hz5gd4q]

DIY萬歲

[@Sammy-uf9kl]

It’s that gas or diesel

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

@@Sammy-uf9kl gas. Diesel engines don’t have spark plugs.

[@Sammy-uf9kl]

@@letsrolldiyauto1532 Yeah I found out that they have glow plugs instead of spark plug. I need soon to change one my ML Bluetec

[@brandonshelton5356]

Why did u skip the removal of the EC unit THATS WHAT NEEDED TO SEE ……. REALLY!!!!!!

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

The ECU is held in by grommets only. Pull up from the bottom (no tools) and move it out of the way.

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6CrZ5WCos-jms0

[@cmitch5493]

He skipped ecu removal which has me puzzled

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

The ECU does not need removal. One bolt is removed and the ECU is simply lifted and moved out of the way.

[@cmitch5493]

@@letsrolldiyauto1532 what bolt has to be removed? I was looking at mine tonight and still do not know which bolt you are referring to. The video for the most part is very helpful.

[@letsrolldiyauto1532]

​@@cmitch5493 There are actually no bolt that holds it in (my bad). Remove the cables from the support. The ECU is held in by four grommets. Grab the ECU from the bottom and lift up. It will remove. Reverse to put it back in. Get it lined up with the grommets and push down until it seats completely. Pull up slightly to make sure you've gotten all four grommets seated fully.