going to change spark plugs soon. should the coils be renewed as a matter of course or, if functioning correctly, reused? 7 yrs/56k miles and driving nice
Thanks for input

 

After 7 years I would replace them. Parts are not too costly and while you are already paying for labour get it done.

Regards,

CF

 

i'm doing the work. guess i'm paying in time though! although, I think this is a form of therapy so......
but yeah, 7 yrs.
any one have guesstimate on life expectancy of coils?

 

I have a 2005 C2 997.1 with original coil packs at 73,000km. They were inspected last year when the plugs were changed and were then in OK condition. Having had a couple of cars with failed coils within 3 years, and others that have gone >6 years, I think it's the luck of the draw.

In the case of 911's, the relatively exposed position of the coil packs may contribute to faster deterioration, especially if driven where there is salt on the roads in winter (not an issue here in Sydney).

When changing your plugs, you're in a position to inspect the coil packs and assess if any obvious external cracks / deterioration, although they can fail even if they appear visually OK.

 

I agree- luck of the draw plays a part. they may last 5 more years, and a newly purchased coil could be a dud in 2 weeks. i'm ruminating..........

 

2009 C2S 96K miles

I don't agree with replacing them. Waste of money. The packs were changed in '09 to an improved design. The stories of pack failures don't apply to these newer models. Even in my 2000 Boxster S, the packs didn't go until .... cant remember but say at 150K miles on that car, and they were the same design as up to '08.

I've changed my plugs now twice on my '09 and didn't touch them. They looked perfect.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

 

IMO coil pack replacement as a preventative measure is not necessary. Coils generally fail on cars that do not see routing maintenance, ie plug changes. Coils will be more stressed as the gap they fire across grows, that happens over time as the ground strap erodes. If you change the plugs by the mfg recommended table they should provide a long life.

 

If the engine has been triggering a CEL with one or more misfire error codes, or if the coils look bad upon inspection, that is a good sign the coils should be replaced.

Otherwise, there is no real need to change them. Coils can last a long time. (140K miles in the case of my 996 Turbo, 300K miles in the case of my 2002 Boxster.) Of course, it is up to the owner. If he wants to discard prefectly good coils that is his decision.

When/where the coils do not last a long time appears to be a matter of climate more than anything. I was reading about bad coils on the UK Porsche forums long before I encountered bad coil posts on the US Porsche forums.

Those that drive year 'round in all kinds of weather could have the coils requiring replacement but that is somewhat dependent upon climate. I drive year 'round in both my cars but most of the time the climate is dry albeit a bit warm with a few months of some wet weather. However, no snow and of course no salt.

 

Thanks all! I will spend that money elsewhere. I have had the same coil in v12 jag for years, in a hellish environment (did someone say heat soak)?
I am a maintenance hog, so sounds like this is in my favor