Help - engine light popped on - is my engine fried?
05-02-2013, 05:30 PM
#31
Former Vendor
Get a service kit and do it yourself, if you have the tools and time available. There is ton of information on here (rennlist) that will give you all the information you need. For more information on our kits Click Here.
Last edited by ECS Tuning; 05-02-2013 at 05:43 PM. Reason: sp
05-02-2013, 08:58 PM
#32
Captain Obvious
Super User
Super User
How many coils are bad? One, two, more? The code will tell. Even just one non functioning coil will make the engine run like crap.
05-02-2013, 11:10 PM
#33
You should probably do all coils at the same time as it will only be a matter of time before the others go bad as well.
Even for people that have a lot of miles on their cars, it is worthwhile to replace them. Case in point, my car started to idle slightly rough and I mean very slightly rough which I just attributed to the poly engine mounts I installed. I never got any check engine lights so didn't think anything of it. I had to replace some leaking spark plug tubes and figured I would also replace all plugs and coils while I was in there. After inspecting my coils very carefully, I found 3 out of the 6 had some very fine micro cracks. Not enough to set off the CEL but just enough to not make them perform 100% efficiently. After I replaced with new ones, I did notice a smoother idle.
Even for people that have a lot of miles on their cars, it is worthwhile to replace them. Case in point, my car started to idle slightly rough and I mean very slightly rough which I just attributed to the poly engine mounts I installed. I never got any check engine lights so didn't think anything of it. I had to replace some leaking spark plug tubes and figured I would also replace all plugs and coils while I was in there. After inspecting my coils very carefully, I found 3 out of the 6 had some very fine micro cracks. Not enough to set off the CEL but just enough to not make them perform 100% efficiently. After I replaced with new ones, I did notice a smoother idle.
05-02-2013, 11:18 PM
#34
Captain Obvious
Super User
Super User
The cracks are not the problem but the moisture that get inside the cracks and shorts out the coil. If you can seal up the cracks, the coil will be fine even in the biggest downpour. Ask me how I know. 
05-02-2013, 11:23 PM
#35
Cracks when they get big enough could arc causing issues as well. Moisture doesn't necessarily need to be present. I agree you can just reseal them but I don't like band aids like that personally on something like this.
05-03-2013, 10:49 AM
#36
Instructor
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Yeah; I did all the coils, spark plugs, etc.
Ended up paying $800 -- but the folks also brought it to their shop and were pretty helpful.
I agree that engine light + sudden extreme roughness in the engine = instantly turn off the engine (just incase). At the end of the day, you were all right and it was just the coils. Heck, I am just happy to have my car back .... Ive had it now for over two years and EVERY time I turn the car on; it makes me smile
As always, thank you Rennlist contributers!!!
Ended up paying $800 -- but the folks also brought it to their shop and were pretty helpful.
I agree that engine light + sudden extreme roughness in the engine = instantly turn off the engine (just incase). At the end of the day, you were all right and it was just the coils. Heck, I am just happy to have my car back .... Ive had it now for over two years and EVERY time I turn the car on; it makes me smile
As always, thank you Rennlist contributers!!!
05-03-2013, 11:10 AM
#37
Captain Obvious
Super User
Super User
I agree it's just a short term solution but it works if it's Sunday afternoon and everything is closed.
