K Series coil packs

[MadCat52]

Normally my 2005 1.8 K series with 25K miles starts first time, ok sometimes second time.  Went to start it yesterday and engine turned over but wouldn't fire.  Poked around with the HT leads/coil packs and it fired up no problem.

Am I right to think the coil packs (which look like the original items), have a finite life and that after 11 years should be replaced anyway?  What are others experience of life of the coils?

Bob

[stuart147]

Hi Bob.

I am no expert in coil packs but my 1.6 K Series has covered 45000 miles in 14 years and I have never had a problem with them. I very often cover mine up in the garage in September and never touch it until Mar/ April and it always starts first time.

Stuart

[Piers300]

I don't have Coil Packs on my 2004 R300, but suffered 18 months of starting problems. I also poked around with HT leads and coils and at the beginning of the problems, it would then start. However, it got worse and worse till it would just crank and not fire at all. The only way it would start was to squirt fuel into the Throttle Bodies and then it would run fine and re-start when hot. However, it would not start from cold. 

After spending rather a lot of money (£1000 plus) on replacing everything including the Starter motor, Battery, HT leads, rotor arm, Distributor Cap, Coil, sensors, MFR Relay module, TPS sensor, ring gear sensor, in line Fuel filter ect ect and having injectors and ECU's tested by SBD, it turned out to be the multipin connector under the throttle bodies that was the culprit. I now have a great spares kit !!!

I gave up with the car and Sevens & Classics sorted it, which they did very effectively. When S and C got the multipin open, it was green with corrosion. A squirt of £5 contact cleaner did the trick and now it starts fine. The history is in Tech B/C under a "A Reluctant Starter".  So check the basics first.

Do have a look at all your connectors and check for corrosion. I tried to undo my multipin connector, but it was a bit difficult to get separated and I failed to get it apart, as it was a bit awkward to get at. However, keep at it and and check for corrosion on everything, as it may not be your coil packs that are the problem.

Piers

[john milner]

13 years and 65,000+ miles and no coil pack problems. VVC wasted spark.

Next time try poking less places before trying to start.

[Roadsport06]

Fewer.

 

[Jonathan Kay]

Am I right to think the coil packs (which look like the original items), have a finite life and that after 11 years should be replaced anyway?  What are others experience of life of the coils?

I don't think there have been many reports of failure on BlatChat.

Piers' point about contacts and corrosion and crud is crucial. But again there don't seem to have been many problems on the HT side, as opposed to LT connectors and sensors. With the exception of drowning by rain or washing.

Jonathan

 

[john milner]

Lessa.

[MadCat52]

Thanks for all the comments and feedback.  From the lack of 'failed coils' experience, I'm beginning to rethink that it is the coils that are amiss, so will check all connections for the dreaded green corrosion and give it a dam good thrashing (sorry meant service!)