Current Recommendations - Distributor parts

[outrbnks]

First of all, if the answers I'm seeking have been published already, sorry for a duplicate post if that's the case.

My 94 E420 is giving me fits with bad misfires, with no-start at times as well, pulled a Dist cap and rotor, it"s time to replace it all.

I did some searching for what it currently the best parts to buy, and if I read correctly, Beru was the favored Cap, but hard to get.

Here are the Part-numbers I found on the Mercedes parts site;

119-158-01-02 M119 Distributor cap​

​

119-158-02-31 M119 Distributor Rotor​

​

119-158-01-88 M119 Cover (Insulator)​

1 - Are these PN's correct? (I'm assuming that 500's and 420's share these same parts).

2 - What brand(s) should I be ordering, and who is currently stocking them if anyone knows.


I did go to the Naperville site and I believe all the PNs above were not in stock, with a note - delays to get the parts.

But before I order anything, just wanted to make sure that I'm ordering the best quality parts from vendors who carry them.

Thanks in advance....

 

[gsxr]

119-158-01-02 M119 Distributor cap​

119-158-02-31 M119 Distributor Rotor​

119-158-01-88 M119 Cover (Insulator)​

1 - Are these PN's correct? (I'm assuming that 500's and 420's share these same parts).

Yes! All 3 part numbers are correct.

2 - What brand(s) should I be ordering, and who is currently stocking them if anyone knows.

Cap: Beru or Bosch, either is ok, not sure if you can still get Beru anywhere. Adding the vent slots (click here) to the new caps prior to installation is highly recommended.

Rotor: OE Doduco preferred (Beru reboxed OE may still be available in limited quantity at a local NAPA store, click here), otherwise Bosch is fine. The problem with Bosch is the weird hex size on the bolts, a 3mm wrench is too small and there's risk of stripping the bolt heads if you aren't careful. Doduco has "good" bolts. Or you can replace the bolts on the Bosch rotor, which is a hassle.

Insulator: Bosch is the only brand available.

I did go to the Naperville site and I believe all the PNs above were not in stock, with a note - delays to get the parts.

But before I order anything, just wanted to make sure that I'm ordering the best quality parts from vendors who carry them.

The OE parts from the dealer just cost a lot more, and are not any better quality than the same thing aftermarket. Dealer caps are Bosch, dealer rotors are Doduco, dealer insulators are Bosch.

As discussed in other threads, if there is oil around the cam seal when you remove the insulator, you must replace the cam seal. If that's dry but there is oil at the bottom edge of the distributor cap, your cam advance solenoids are leaking and should be replaced or re-sealed (link).

 

[outrbnks]

Yes! All 3 part numbers are correct.




Cap: Beru or Bosch, either is ok, not sure if you can still get Beru anywhere. Adding the vent slots (click here) to the new caps prior to installation is highly recommended.

Rotor: OE Doduco preferred (Beru reboxed OE may still be available in limited quantity at a local NAPA store, click here), otherwise Bosch is fine. The problem with Bosch is the weird hex size on the bolts, a 3mm wrench is too small and there's risk of stripping the bolt heads if you aren't careful. Doduco has "good" bolts. Or you can replace the bolts on the Bosch rotor, which is a hassle.

Insulator: Bosch is the only brand available.




The OE parts from the dealer just cost a lot more, and are not any better quality than the same thing aftermarket. Dealer caps are Bosch, dealer rotors are Doduco, dealer insulators are Bosch.

As discussed in other threads, if there is oil around the cam seal when you remove the insulator, you must replace the cam seal. If that's dry but there is oil at the bottom edge of the distributor cap, your cam advance solenoids are leaking and should be replaced or re-sealed (link).

Thanks for the info, I ordered the parts, wow, what a difference in prices. In the mean time I removed the current ones and found the expected moisture inside the caps. After removing the rotor attachment and cover, inside the housing was clean and dry, no oil seepage anywhere. I also took the existing caps and did the slot mods for practice when the new caps arrive, then cleaned up all the contacts and reinstalled. It started right up and runs well for now, previously it was a no-start.