Lesson learned (Ignition Coil Purchase)

Mr. Detail · Post by **Mr. Detail** » 07 Dec 2021, 09:54

Just a lesson learned here for anyone that is trying to save a few bucks on new ignition coils. I bought a set of five (5) coils off of Amazon only 18 months ago and they are already giving me trouble. I could not even tell you the brand that was purchased. Only that they were a piece of junk and probably less than $100.

I also just called several manufacturer's of ignition coils that I thought would be good and asked each one where their coils were made. Not where they were assembled but where they were made. Here is a list of three:

1) WVE (Wells Vehicle Electronics) - Warranty 3 years. $119 MADE IN CHINA
2) Delphi Technologies - Warranty 3 years. $155 MADE IN CHINA
3) NGK - Warranty 3 years. $164 MADE IN MEXICO

Needless to say I will scrape together the needed dollars and go with the Bosch ones. Warranty - LIFETIME

wch2032 · Post by **wch2032** » 07 Dec 2021, 10:56

If you're budget-limited you could do what I did, which was finding out how many were bad and purchasing n+1 Bosch coils. When one started misfiring, I swapped that out and kept the extra on hand for the next. When my second one went, I bought a third. Yeah eventually I'll probably get them all swapped but this way I'm keeping the OEM parts and if any originals are there by the time the car gets junked/sold then I'd save the $45 or so.

Good thing the coils are somewhat easy to access, I'd hate spending a few hours doing a parts swap only to do it again months later.

Post by **erikv11** » 07 Dec 2021, 12:02

When we bought the S60R the previous owner had just done a "tune up" which included replacing all of the coils with some no-name brand. I cringed, expecting to need to replace them soon. But they have actually held up so far (36k miles). No misfire codes or other apparent ignition problems.

Regardless, I completely agree, Bosch only on ignition coils. They can last quite a while, e.g. grabbing a set of Volvo coils from the junkyard will keep your car rolling a very long time.

Post by **xHeart** » 07 Dec 2021, 13:14

I replaced all five originals in our 2001 V70XC around 131,000 miles with an IPD's set. These been igniting for 75,000 miles, going strong - now recently picked up a replacement set of Bosch from RockAuto at a great price.

FWIW, I choose to install a set of six Delphi direct ignition coils in our 2013 XC90 during the 150,000 service a year ago - again couldn't resist the RockAuto prices - kept the OE set as spare.

TisMe · Post by **TisMe** » 07 Dec 2021, 18:18

wch2032 wrote: ↑07 Dec 2021, 10:56 ]Good thing the coils are somewhat easy to access, I'd hate spending a few hours doing a parts swap only to do it again months later.

If you leave off your engine's plastic beauty cover, access to each coil pack is 1 bolt away

then you don't have to backtrack to where you placed your torque kit only to remember you loaned it to a friend.

Also provides an effortless answer to whether your oil cap gasket decided to leak today.

Post by **abscate** » 09 Dec 2021, 05:33

For my vehicles that cruise 590 miles from home, warranty is useless. I’ve been stopped twice by coils going bad over 21 years, both of which were 100k miles plus Bosch or Volvo coils.

For my cruising cars, I replace them at 100k and then use the old ones in cars that don’t stray so far from home. Luckily I have 20 coils in circulation all of the same part number. I have also unloaded some for $10-15 or on the FDPP.

You should carry a spare used coil and spark plug in your tool kit if you have a coil on plug car.

Post by **jonesg** » 09 Dec 2021, 06:28

replaced a coil with a napa one, 2 years and still going.
I recall it wasn't expensive, maybe $65.

Post by **erikv11** » 09 Dec 2021, 16:48

$65 is expensive IMO but if you just need one in a pinch I agree it's not bad to get you down the road.

Bosch coils for a P2 are currently $38 each from RockAuto or $48 each from FCP.

EngineeringBloke · Post by **EngineeringBloke** » 10 Dec 2021, 10:06

I had the iPD HD coils but the tops cracked. Top of my engine is quite hot and may have been the cause. I reverted to the original Bosch ones. I note the iPD HD ones are no longer available.

I have just picked up a replacement Bosch set but have yet to install them.

Ejbdunes · Post by **Ejbdunes** » 30 Dec 2023, 10:37

EngineeringBloke wrote: ↑10 Dec 2021, 10:06 I had the iPD HD coils but the tops cracked. Top of my engine is quite hot and may have been the cause. I reverted to the original Bosch ones. I note the iPD HD ones are no longer available.

I have just picked up a replacement Bosch set but have yet to install them.

While shopping for a new set of coils, I noticed ipd has the HD coils for $44. Price is similar to the Bosch (~$4.00) and about half of OEM price. Has anyone tried the ipd HD coils?

Not looking for performance being it's a stock 2007 xc70. Just want to get it running smooth again. thanks