Hello to all!!!!! I have a 2005 basic crossfire. Its time for a tuneup, 126,000 miles without one yet...my bf wants to do it himself and he wants to know whats involved. He's an old school boy and he's used to old school engines...can someone give me a heads up???

 

I am surprised you made it that far. At 100,000 I put in new plugs, plug wires, fuel filter/regulator, air filters.
Then, I changed the drive belt, flushed the coolant, changed the transmission oil (it was a manual, they use motor oil), changed differential fluid and flushed out the brakes.
Next came a new steering stabilizer and new shocks.

I would suggest you not change the shocks - at 115,000 they were not that far gone - $450 for little return.


Now, Technically - I don't call this a "tune up", it is 100,000 mile maintenance. There are no tune ups any more; the PTCM is tuning the engine as you drive - it has to, because of emission laws. You can't meet the emission standards today unless the engine is being fine-tuned continuously. Thanks to the advent of the might microprocessor, the car tunes itself.

 

Been working on my own cars since I was a teenager, and have kept up with the new technology, but would also call myself old school as well.

The spark plug replacement will be a lot easier having this tool to remove the plug wires:

Mercedes Benz V6 V8 Spark Plug Wire Remover Installer Wrench Tool 17mm | eBay

I did a quick youtube search and found a video to show how the tool is used.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzCdqlpRN3g

 

I'm only at 57k but the vehicle is 10 years young. I did the transmission fluid and coolant last year. Air filters are K&N. No issues and gas mileage is excellent. Is it worth messing with the fuel filter, spark plugs, or brake fluid at this time or wait until it is closer to 100k miles?

 

All is good for folks finding 'tools' to help remove the plug wires, but seeing this operation at minute 3:30 (ish) I would NEVER use a steel wrench to 'pry' against the soft valve covers of MY car. If this wrench even 'lines up' with our valve covers, it looks pretty quirky at best for misalignment and potential damage to the plug, wire/boots, or again the valve covers. Nope, not me. I'll 'fiddle' with something else and not pay monies for something I would greatly regret if it doesn't work as some seller says it would. Just saying!






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I second all these but will add, going with better shocks will help the ride a lot. The stock ones are unforgiving if they are the same as the SRT. Brake fluid should be changed every 2-3 years. It is not a function of mileage, but time. I would also inspect all the suspension for worn bushings. I've done all this and more and only have 40,000 miles, but I do baby her

 

The NA shocks are ***** cats in comparison to the SRT shocks, I've had both and 1,500 miles in the SRT non stop was a killer.
Oops, you can't say puss y here, but you can talk about the stopping power of bullets, this world is all fucked up.
What d'you know, you can say fucked, what about ****?
Nope **** is verboten.

 

I was skeptical about that tool at first myself as it appeared to be just a bent open end wrench. Before buying one I researched the tool and found it was widely used for this purpose. Using it is described in multiple MB car forums. Apparently the original was a MB valve adjustment tool some mechanic figured would work. To be expedient in my response I randomly picked an ebay seller and youtube video. There are others to pick from. Anyone interested to learn more about using the tool just Google "Mercedes spark plug wire removal tool" and it will bring up more than enough references from Mercedes forums and MB parts/tools sellers. I did not encounter any post from an actual user reporting damage being done by the tool. As our valve covers are cast aluminum they are stronger than stamped metal covers. If concerned about marring the cover a small piece of rubber could be used between the tool and the cover.

You can also search this forum. Others here have used it.

Here is an example: https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ark-plugs.html

Needswings is a respected forum member. He said "The wire removing tool on ebay linked above... works great and is correct, it is a 17mm wrench with a funky bend to it so you can pop them off by leveraging off the valve covers. if you just pull the wires out by hand you have a very good chance of damaging the stock wires. i purchased mine from ElPaso tool on ebay, he has a lot of benz tools and has been reliable thus far."

 

Maybe someone will kindly demonstrate this at the next 'Tail-Of-The-Dragon' meet that I attend. I've got no bullet in this hunt because I only have less than 23,000 miles on mine. I did purchase a complete set of dual platinum plugs (brand new in 3 sealed boxes of 4 each Autolite APP3924) off Ebay a couple years ago for when (if) mine reaches the point when I'll have a grandson (LOL) replace them, but until then they'll not be grabbed by a metal pry-bar. I always say if it works and doesn't hurt, go for it. Until then, I'll say I'm up in the air on this 'tool'. Peace-Out!




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Just my 2 cents; I changed plugs (NGK & wires/Bosch-oem) @ about 68k, a couple years ago & about 8 years young. Original plugs (NGK w/Mercedes emblem) looked tired, there is a time limit on them. One wire had hidden corrosion in boot to coil, don't know how it started but glad I found it when I did. Did fuel filter too, bit of a p.i.a. but glad it is done. Suctioned out brake fluid from master cyl., put fresh in; I know I didn't get it all but I believe that it is better than nothing, have done it a couple of times. Probably bleed them next pad change. Tranny, coolant and differential all done also.
Used an old trick mentioned here, to install plugs: a piece of rubber hose snug fitting on top of plug, makes it easier to get threads started & use a small dab of anti-seize on plug threads.

 

My answer to this issue was a long handle hose plier purchased at Harbor Freight in a set. If I have it right it was the medium size that worked well.

 

Good idea, but I still think removing the valve covers is worth the effort.
NO problems getting to the plug wires or the plugs.
( also good opportunity to install new rubber gaskets )

 

It certainly was discouraging for me to try and help someone with valid information, and then have to defend that information from someone shooting opinion holes in it who has no actual experience or stake in it, to the detriment of those asking for help.

I very much appreciate what I've learned from others on this forum and try to give back. It would have been easier for me to tell the OP to "use the search function" to search for spark plug wire removal tool.

 

Mr Toolman, I apologize if it was my post that triggered your response.
What I failed to mention in my response about removing the valve covers is that I have the Magnicore plug wires.
These puppies have the squiggly rubber plug connection covers, not the OEM metal covers and are a real b**ch to seat.
With the valve covers removed , it is a simple task to seat them and actually hear the tiny 'click' as they seat.
Peace be the journey.

 

Thank you Ala_xfire it was not your post.


It was the post directly criticizing the tool recommendation, the motives of the ebay tool seller, and the potential damage that would result to the plugs, wires and valve covers if the OP used the recommended tool. In addition, the wasted monies buying this tool from believing the seller which would be regretted.

 

OK, I said maybe this will work? So I researched it and posted next....







Then this? Where did that come from? Reviewed everything posted, and confused.





Then this post by you "It was the post directly criticizing the tool recommendation, the motives of the ebay tool seller, and the potential damage that would result to the plugs, wires and valve covers if the OP used the recommended tool. In addition, the wasted monies buying this tool from believing the seller which would be regretted."


What I said and how I said it seems to have offended you. Did you read the entire second post (especially " I always say if it works and doesn't hurt, go for it. Until then, I'll say I'm up in the air on... "? My reassessment after researching this was to see it in action and that I would not need to do it for a while given the mileage on my car. My opinion is my own, I own that. Your response to my reassessment was to throw a fit? Are you "the ebay seller"? If not I guess me seeing it in action and verifying that I could do that without damaging MY car disturbed you. In the interests of forum tranquility I rest without regret (with my mind open and not against using the 'tool'). My advice to you would be to not take things personally. We are all here to help, right?




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Mistergee. 2005 roadster 95k. Getting ready for my 100k tune-up. As far as I see, I need to change the wire,spark plugs, flush the coolant, change the brake fluid,drain and replace trans fluid and filter. I'am I missing anything else?

 

Differential. Two quarts of Mobile 1 75W90. And if by "wire" you mean plug wires, yes, you need 12 plug wires and 12 plugs.

 

Mistergee. Thanks for your help.
m,.

 

Check your coil packs. All 6 of mine were cracked.