Hi Everyone, just a few quick tips for this procedure. Someone here had posted this MB procedure follow on for mechanics, see attached, as it's helpful.
So very first go search spark plug change for GLA 45 AMG (A45 vids same), very helpful to watch one or two. there is one that is 27 mins. and spot on with what I did.
TIP 1: My car has 31.7k miles, however I let this go past 7 yrs. as these were original plugs. Don't do that. As mentioned in other posts, things were hairy for me when I could not break the first plug free with a 3/8ths wrench. I went to a more comfy 1/2 and carefully applied more torque, taking my time and making sure I stayed square. I did finally break one, and of course all free.
TIP 2: Per the MB procedure, not only do you need a vacuum but it's best to have a blower. For the hose, like in other posts I did not buy the MB kit, but rather got lucky that a used turkey baster I had (minus the rubber bubble) fit perfectly on the end of the flexible vacuum hose and is long enough to reach into the holes. For the blower, I spent $35 at Walmart for an Air Duster (for keyboards and what not). Shaped like a gun, it's rechargeable and blows at 51k RPM full power and was plenty of power, plus had a 6" long tip extension which reached in holes. You MUST do this and do it right, after you have removed the coils/coil wires, before ever trying to take the plugs out, you will have sand and crap at the bottom of the holes. The plugs as you will see are at the front of the block, up top, sitting largely straight down, so it's not weird that sediment over time will get trapped in there.
Tip 3 Onward: Took my time and since I watched vids was an easy project lasting 90 mins. Could easily do quicker. The plugs are NGK (MB OEM if you look close are also made by NGK), SILZKFR8D7S, but on NGK site the new part number will be SILZKFR8G7S, gapped at .028 (this is for 45 AMG's through 2020 I believe). Make sure you have a good 14MM spark plug socket that holds the plugs, mine was magnetic plus has these little steel grippers inside and worked perfectly for $10 vs. MB socket at some crazy cost. Strongly advise spending $10 on ebay and getting the MB spark plug connector grease. Shipping was free and this was a MB wholesaler. Finally, I will do a 4 yr. schedule next time, despite the fact I will have likely only driven 12k. Oh, and there are 3 different sockets you will need for bolts during removal/reinstall: first was a 5/16ths for 3 bolts as shown in vids, second is a male T30 torx to remove a bracket above one of the coils that is in the way, and finally I used a 1/4 12pnt for the coils. I tried various metrics but these were snug, besides, coil bolts only require 9Nm of torque, and by the way, the spark plugs only need 22Nm, which is 16.2 pounds of torque, use a torque wrench to get this right.
So very first go search spark plug change for GLA 45 AMG (A45 vids same), very helpful to watch one or two. there is one that is 27 mins. and spot on with what I did.
TIP 1: My car has 31.7k miles, however I let this go past 7 yrs. as these were original plugs. Don't do that. As mentioned in other posts, things were hairy for me when I could not break the first plug free with a 3/8ths wrench. I went to a more comfy 1/2 and carefully applied more torque, taking my time and making sure I stayed square. I did finally break one, and of course all free.
TIP 2: Per the MB procedure, not only do you need a vacuum but it's best to have a blower. For the hose, like in other posts I did not buy the MB kit, but rather got lucky that a used turkey baster I had (minus the rubber bubble) fit perfectly on the end of the flexible vacuum hose and is long enough to reach into the holes. For the blower, I spent $35 at Walmart for an Air Duster (for keyboards and what not). Shaped like a gun, it's rechargeable and blows at 51k RPM full power and was plenty of power, plus had a 6" long tip extension which reached in holes. You MUST do this and do it right, after you have removed the coils/coil wires, before ever trying to take the plugs out, you will have sand and crap at the bottom of the holes. The plugs as you will see are at the front of the block, up top, sitting largely straight down, so it's not weird that sediment over time will get trapped in there.
Tip 3 Onward: Took my time and since I watched vids was an easy project lasting 90 mins. Could easily do quicker. The plugs are NGK (MB OEM if you look close are also made by NGK), SILZKFR8D7S, but on NGK site the new part number will be SILZKFR8G7S, gapped at .028 (this is for 45 AMG's through 2020 I believe). Make sure you have a good 14MM spark plug socket that holds the plugs, mine was magnetic plus has these little steel grippers inside and worked perfectly for $10 vs. MB socket at some crazy cost. Strongly advise spending $10 on ebay and getting the MB spark plug connector grease. Shipping was free and this was a MB wholesaler. Finally, I will do a 4 yr. schedule next time, despite the fact I will have likely only driven 12k. Oh, and there are 3 different sockets you will need for bolts during removal/reinstall: first was a 5/16ths for 3 bolts as shown in vids, second is a male T30 torx to remove a bracket above one of the coils that is in the way, and finally I used a 1/4 12pnt for the coils. I tried various metrics but these were snug, besides, coil bolts only require 9Nm of torque, and by the way, the spark plugs only need 22Nm, which is 16.2 pounds of torque, use a torque wrench to get this right.
