Found the miss. E420 is back.

[luckymike]

I've had a frustrating miss ever since changing plugs after I found out the PO had installed the incorrect ones. After months of driving and periodic diagnosing, I pulled the distributor covers and valve cover plug covers so that tonight I could run the car in the dark and see if any wires were flashing.

i fired up the car and could hear the distinctive click-click-click of a spark going to ground. I saw some gray on one of the robber boots on one of the right bank plugs. Every once in a while a spark would jump to the adjacent rubber seal. Hallelujah. I could still hear a rhythmic click and used a straw as a stethoscope to narrow it down to the rear plug.

My wife has followed this 'car not running right' journey and since I was so sure I was onto something I had her come out and listen. From her vantage point she could clearly see a spark that I couldn't. Eureka!

I wrapped both spark plug boots with electrical tape and crossed my fingers. It worked. The car is back to being smooth and powerful.

So, what spark plug wires are we buying these days? Dealer only? Can I just buy two wires?

 

[a777fan]

Mike!

Great news. I think you can still get dealer plug wire and boots, but some sort of expensive crimp tool is required for assembly? @gsxr would know…

I replaced all my wires and boots with a set from beru: ZEF-635. I think i bought my set from parts geek iirc. Here is the super helpful wire length guide to associate the right wire with the correct cylinder from @gsxr . The beru kit is not marked like the OE wires:

Cylinder ---- Length (Inches)

1	38.5
2	34.5
3	40
4	38
5	36.5
6	32
7	40
8	41
C1	24
C2	44.5

Good luck!

 

[TerryA]

Mike, Your "LUCK" is still holding out

PS; I would buy a new set of wires. If one or two already went bad others probably will to. I think a lot of damage can be done by removing the plug wires by pulling on the wires and boots by hand. Beru is what is being touted by Dave and others.

One thing I don't have is the proper pliers to remove the spark plug boots. Before I replace my next set of plugs I intend to get the right tool for the job.

Can anybody recommend the right tool? Preferably an aftermarket tool ilo of MB

 

[luckymike]

Mike!

Great news. I think you can still get dealer plug wire and boots, but some sort of expensive crimp tool is required for assembly? @gsxr would know…

I replaced all my wires and boots with a set from beru: ZEF-635. I think i bought my set from parts geek iirc. Here is the super helpful wire length guide to associate the right wire with the correct cylinder from @gsxr . The beru kit is not marked like the OE wires:

Cylinder ---- Length (Inches)

1	38.5
2	34.5
3	40
4	38
5	36.5
6	32
7	40
8	41
C1	24
C2	44.5

Good luck!

Oh, that's fantastic. Thanks, a777fan!

 

[luckymike]

Mike, Your "LUCK" is still holding out

PS; I would buy a new set of wires. If one or two already went bad others probably will to. I think a lot of damage can be done by removing the plug wires by pulling on the wires and boots by hand. Beru is what is being touted by Dave and others.

One thing I don't have is the proper pliers to remove the spark plug boots. Before I replace my next set of plugs I intend to get the right tool for the job.

Can anybody recommend the right tool? Preferably an aftermarket tool ilo of MB

I agree, Terry. About my luck and about getting new wires. It's so interesting how easy a problem looks after you find the answer and how frustrating it can be until then.

I have something similar to this. It's not great but it works okay.

 

[TerryA]

I agree, Terry. About my luck and about getting new wires. It's so interesting how easy a problem looks after you find the answer and how frustrating it can be until then.

I have something similar to this. It's not great but it works okay.
View attachment 146187View attachment 146187

Those look like they would work good.

Thanks

 

[gerryvz]

Just get the pre-cut set of Beru wires from Partsgeek.com.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Just get the pre-cut set of Beru wires from Partsgeek.com.

I need to try them some time, never ordered from the before, but selection seem to be very good: most placed 1-2 choices of wires for m119, partsgeek = 10???

 

[nocfn]

This is a wonderful feeling when you say holy sh** or eureka or emeffer! Great find for sure.

 

[gerryvz]

The ONLY thing I've ever ordered from Partsgeek is the Beru wires. Generally in terms of parts houses, I put them in a similar tier as RockAuto.com ... i.e. ONLY order for a SPECIFIC KNOWN part and NEVER any other part.

94 1994 Mercedes E500 Spark Plug Wire Set - Engine Electrical - AC Delco, Beru, Bremi, Denso, Karlyn, NGK, Prenco, Standard Motor Products, Walker - PartsGeek

Buy a 1994 Mercedes E500 Spark Plug Wire Set at discount prices. Choose top quality brands AC Delco, Beru, Bremi, Denso, Karlyn, NGK, Prenco, Standard Motor Products, Walker.

www.partsgeek.com

No Bremi, no Karlyn, no Denso, no NGK.......

 

[gsxr]

Everything you need to know is in the thread below. Make sure to spend the 2 hours needed to route the wires properly in the X-tray so they lay perfectly:

FYI - Beru spark plug wire set ZEF-635 | M119 Engine

Hi guys, I had been chasing a misfire on my 93' 500E for a month. I had replaced spark plugs, caps, rotors, and insulators behind the rotors thinking it might have been moisture build up behind the cap. Car ran fine cold, BUT would misfire as soon as it reached operating temperature. Then, I...

www.500eboard.co

Don't buy the crimp tool and spools of wire... the cost of time + parts + effort is not worth it. Don't ask how I know.

 

[luckymike]

Everything you need to know is in the thread below. Make sure to spend the 2 hours needed to route the wires properly in the X-tray so they lay perfectly:

FYI - Beru spark plug wire set ZEF-635 | M119 Engine

Hi guys, I had been chasing a misfire on my 93' 500E for a month. I had replaced spark plugs, caps, rotors, and insulators behind the rotors thinking it might have been moisture build up behind the cap. Car ran fine cold, BUT would misfire as soon as it reached operating temperature. Then, I...

www.500eboard.co

Don't buy the crimp tool and spools of wire... the cost of time + parts + effort is not worth it. Don't ask how I know.

Just read the entire thread. What a gold mine! Makes me look forward to a job that would otherwise look tedious and daunting.

 

[luckymike]

Yummy. Don't you LOVE new parts?

Got the Beru wires from Partsgeek. Fast shipping. $213, $245 after tax and shipping. Appreciate the tip!

 

[gsxr]

Mike, search the forum to get the correct length for each cylinder. Done properly this set will lay in the trays perfectly.

 

[luckymike]

Mike, search the forum to get the correct length for each cylinder. Done properly this set will lay in the trays perfectly.

Yes. Post #12 above has the link to the great chart and instructions. I’m looking forward to the project.

 

[a777fan]

Yes. Post #12 above has the link to the great chart and instructions. I’m looking forward to the project.

All thx to @gsxr !