Cracked Ignition Coils
07-12-2018, 06:28 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Cracked Ignition Coils
In a previous post I wrote about a coolant spill after spirited driving. Many responded to check for cracks in the coolant tank or loose cover. Turned out that the coolant tank was cracked and leaked when the coolant expanded. I topped off the tank with distilled water, and was able to drive to the shop for repairs without any danger of overheating. After the tank was replaced, my tech said that several ignition coils were cracked, and this could produce misfires especially if damp/wet. He suggested replacing all six. 51,000 miles and almost 15 years old!
What should I know about cracked ignition coils and misfiring when damp? Is this an emergency (I think not)? If there are misfires is there a risk of damage to the cylinder, valves or pistons? Your esteemed recommendation, please! /X3
What should I know about cracked ignition coils and misfiring when damp? Is this an emergency (I think not)? If there are misfires is there a risk of damage to the cylinder, valves or pistons? Your esteemed recommendation, please! /X3
07-12-2018, 06:51 PM
#2
Burning Brakes
I'll get burned for this (ducks) but when I did my mufflers some of my coils were cracked, so I repaired them. I used a soldering iron to melt over the cracks (its filled nylon) then put some high quality RTV over the crack repair.
My car runs great, as far as I know the cracks don't cause any actual failure themselves, all they do is weaken the high voltage isolation, which then if wet fails and allow arcing and misfire. With the cracks filled in and insulated all should be good.
My car runs great, as far as I know the cracks don't cause any actual failure themselves, all they do is weaken the high voltage isolation, which then if wet fails and allow arcing and misfire. With the cracks filled in and insulated all should be good.
07-12-2018, 09:04 PM
#3
I'll get burned for this (ducks) but when I did my mufflers some of my coils were cracked, so I repaired them. I used a soldering iron to melt over the cracks (its filled nylon) then put some high quality RTV over the crack repair.
My car runs great, as far as I know the cracks don't cause any actual failure themselves, all they do is weaken the high voltage isolation, which then if wet fails and allow arcing and misfire. With the cracks filled in and insulated all should be good.
My car runs great, as far as I know the cracks don't cause any actual failure themselves, all they do is weaken the high voltage isolation, which then if wet fails and allow arcing and misfire. With the cracks filled in and insulated all should be good.
07-12-2018, 11:22 PM
#4
The short answer is No, you don't have to change them if you're not having issues with them. When it comes time to replace the plugs, do the coils at the same time - shared labor, parts are relatively inexpensive.
I'm in the process of replacing my plugs and coils after getting a P0301 code (Cylinder 1 misfire). As far as I know, the coils are original (MY 2000, ~70k miles). My plugs still have another 17k miles on them but if you've ever done the replacement yourself, you'll understand why I'm doing them with the coils.
I'm in the process of replacing my plugs and coils after getting a P0301 code (Cylinder 1 misfire). As far as I know, the coils are original (MY 2000, ~70k miles). My plugs still have another 17k miles on them but if you've ever done the replacement yourself, you'll understand why I'm doing them with the coils.
07-12-2018, 11:27 PM
#5
Not an emergency unless you have active faults for misfires. I would put it on the list though. You dont want to be out on a road trip and have it start misfiring in the middle of nowhere. You're due for spark plugs at 60,000 miles, that would be a good time to do the coils.
07-13-2018, 09:12 AM
#7
Rennlist Member
I had a cracked coolant expansion tank (second time it did this) and it leaked down on the coil packs and I got misfires, once I replaced the coil pack for the left rear cylinder, it went away, I replaced all of them after that.
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07-13-2018, 10:24 AM
#8
I just went thru this. It wasn't anything sudden, but I noticed the car was running rougher and rougher. Finally the CEL came on, I stopped at the Autozone and it came back with a P0301 code. I drove it a few more days(it was scheduled to go in to the shop anyway) and on the day I brought it in I thought it was going to die. Extremely rough, vibrations all over, etc.... They replaced all the coils and my O2 sensor and now everything is as it should be again.
09-15-2018, 01:48 PM
#9
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My 02 C4Sjust got diagnosed with cracked coils. I took it in because the engine actually died while in motion. Turns out several coils didn’t even register anymore. So I’ll be replacing the packs as soon as they get in.