Ignition Coil Lifespan

[Georgeandkira]

Here comes a "jynx post".

Before my first white engine plug change I called myvolvopartsonline.com (big Texas dealership parts dept.) to ask about coil availability because I anticipated dried wires cracking away due to heat.

The fellow on the phone said, "We stock 'em but I've never sold one". I haven't experienced a failure (3 V70's).

I do like abscate's "2 spares" approach to identifying a misfiring cylinder. I must get to a junkyard.

[chrism]

I do like abscate's "2 spares" approach to identifying a misfiring cylinder. I must get to a junkyard.

I have a couple spares, that I picked up at the Pick-n-Pull for $5 each, sitting on the garage shelf. The big question is whether they will still still work after being knocked off the shelf onto the floor numerous times

[regent]

I do like abscate's "2 spares" approach to identifying a misfiring cylinder. I must get to a junkyard.

I have a couple spares, that I picked up at the Pick-n-Pull for $5 each, sitting on the garage shelf. The big question is whether they will still still work after being knocked off the shelf onto the floor numerous times

The Big Answer to the Big Question is:

Soak'em thoroughly in sea/ocean water for at least 15 days, this will remove all doubt.
(If access to the beach is restricted, then Aqua Regia is an option.)

[abscate]

Here comes a "jynx post".

Before my first white engine plug change I called myvolvopartsonline.com (big Texas dealership parts dept.) to ask about coil availability because I anticipated dried wires cracking away due to heat.

The fellow on the phone said, "We stock 'em but I've never sold one". I haven't experienced a failure (3 V70's).

I do like abscate's "2 spares" approach to identifying a misfiring cylinder. I must get to a junkyard.

Stop in on your way through , I’ve got spares

[precopster]

Every time I've had a misfire due to a coil the OBDII system has narrowed it down to the exact cylinder each time......I must be lucky. Have changed out about 5 of them on my own high mileage vehicles. I might add that on our XC90 2.5T I had an early failure at 170,000kms of cylinder 2 coil pack because of massive gaps on the worn out plugs.

[abscate]

I think if you have a coil failure and a constant miss you will get the right cylinder code, P030x

If you have rough running or an intermittent miss, the cylinder ID is not as robust.

One think I like about cheap plugs and 30k change interval...you don’t run into the large gap stress if you check them every 15k.

[cn90]

For those who insist on keeping the plastic cover in place, my recommendation is do not install all 6 Torx bolts.

Install only 4 Torx bolts at both ends.

The 2 Torx bolts under the Turbo pipe...leave them out
(save them in the trunk) bc these 2 Torx bolts are difficult
to remove with the Turbo pipe in place.

If you only have 4 bolts in place, then dealing with ignition
coil in the middle of nowhere is somewhat easier...

[volvolugnut]

For those who insist on keeping the plastic cover in place, my recommendation is do not install all 6 Torx bolts.

Install only 4 Torx bolts at both ends.

The 2 Torx bolts under the Turbo pipe...leave them out
(save them in the trunk) bc these 2 Torx bolts are difficult
to remove with the Turbo pipe in place.

If you only have 4 bolts in place, then dealing with ignition
coil in the middle of nowhere is somewhat easier...

Good advice. Removing the turbo pipe is time consuming.
volvolugnut

[cn90]

Ok, so back to the debate: "replace as you go" vs "all 5 new coils"...

Used genuine coil is $15-$20 on eBay.
New Bosch coil (FCPEuro, eBay etc) is only $43/each.

So, to install all new, it is only about $215/for 5 Bosch coils.

What is everyone's doing?

[erikv11]

As per discussions e.g.
viewtopic.php?t=100522
viewtopic.php?p=639095&hilit=mpg#p639095

I advocate to replace all 5 with new Bosch around the 180k - 200k, whenever convenient. If you already drive the car much, or plan to keep running it for a while, the replacement will in all likelihood quickly pay for itself.

High mileage coils will likely last a very long(er) time but I'm moving to only using them for troubleshooting or temporary repairs.