Melted coil pack
02-20-2013, 10:17 AM
#1
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Melted coil pack
First, thank you to all who contribute to this site. It's a valuable resource for those of us who love our RX-8's, but need assistance with the technical stuff.
Recently my wife noticed a lack of power and difficulty starting. We also still had the fish tank in the tail lights which even after replaced under warranty, still accumulated water. We just had to buy new fish! Anyway, they (as they will) emptied my wallet to drill out the base of the lenses, front brakes and resurface rotors, change the oil, and just before we were to pick it up, ka-ching! They couldn't get it started and we were told it need a new SSV valve? Now I have little faith in delaerships, but unfortunately less time. We begrudgingly paid the bill. So we pick it up and before we even hit the driveway, the check engine light illuminates. So back we go. Now their diagnosis it plugs, wire, and coils. Another $1200. This time I declined. I would gladly pay if I had any confidence that someone behind the curtain actually gave a crap about the performance of my car, but their own service people seem to know very little.
So I bought the:
BWD/Intermotor Ignition Coils and NGK plugs from AAP
NGK ZE81 plug wires order on Amazon
Took me about 2 hours to complete, but I'm slow anyway.
All was great for about 3 weeks. But last night the RX-8 just stalled at a traffic light and won't start. After reviewing other posts I began to look at the coils as the 15 amp ENG fuse was blown. It seems the second coil has melted. I can replace, but is this normal or a symptom of something else?
Recently my wife noticed a lack of power and difficulty starting. We also still had the fish tank in the tail lights which even after replaced under warranty, still accumulated water. We just had to buy new fish! Anyway, they (as they will) emptied my wallet to drill out the base of the lenses, front brakes and resurface rotors, change the oil, and just before we were to pick it up, ka-ching! They couldn't get it started and we were told it need a new SSV valve? Now I have little faith in delaerships, but unfortunately less time. We begrudgingly paid the bill. So we pick it up and before we even hit the driveway, the check engine light illuminates. So back we go. Now their diagnosis it plugs, wire, and coils. Another $1200. This time I declined. I would gladly pay if I had any confidence that someone behind the curtain actually gave a crap about the performance of my car, but their own service people seem to know very little.
So I bought the:
BWD/Intermotor Ignition Coils and NGK plugs from AAP
NGK ZE81 plug wires order on Amazon
Took me about 2 hours to complete, but I'm slow anyway.
All was great for about 3 weeks. But last night the RX-8 just stalled at a traffic light and won't start. After reviewing other posts I began to look at the coils as the 15 amp ENG fuse was blown. It seems the second coil has melted. I can replace, but is this normal or a symptom of something else?
02-20-2013, 11:30 AM
#4
Registered
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 0
Received 252 Likes
on
110 Posts
That looks like an internal failure on the coil.
Definitely not normal. First case of that I've seen.
Agreed with GK, check over the wires for that connector leading to the coil to make sure they are fine and didn't take any damage.
(Also moved out of DIY to Tech, since this isn't a set of instructions)
Definitely not normal. First case of that I've seen.
Agreed with GK, check over the wires for that connector leading to the coil to make sure they are fine and didn't take any damage.
(Also moved out of DIY to Tech, since this isn't a set of instructions)
02-20-2013, 11:42 AM
#5
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Coil Leads and connector
The leads into and the connector look fine. Can't visually see any thing else as it it all taped still in factory harness and travels back towards firewall.
02-20-2013, 12:29 PM
#7
Registered
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 0
Received 252 Likes
on
110 Posts
I wouldn't say that. To my knowledge it's the same as the original factory 2004 coils, and these are being used in plenty of 8s out there, including mine. Having a factory defect periodically is allowable.
I mean, the DOA rate on those coils is better than the DOA rate on our engines.....
I mean, the DOA rate on those coils is better than the DOA rate on our engines.....
02-20-2013, 12:49 PM
#8
my local dealer stocks 11 V6 6 coils vs 11 Rx8 coils. keep in mind you replace the Rx8 coils in 4's, and the V6's throw codes for individual cylinders.
02-20-2013, 03:42 PM
#9
I've had the BWD Coils (N3H1 18 100 D with a lifetime warranty) from O'Reilly's for at least 40,000 miles and I still have no issues; even with both plugs and wires that has 7,000 miles. I'm confident that the coils will last another 5-10,000 safely, but I'm going to change all by the end of the month. Besides, JDibley can turn the burnt coil pack in and recieve a replacement!
Last edited by Grace_Excel; 02-25-2013 at 12:30 AM.
02-20-2013, 04:17 PM
#10
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Coil Replacement
That's exactly what I did. Advanced replaced it for me at no charge. Installed the new one and replaced the 15A ENG fuse. She started right up. Took her out for a spin and all seems to be OK. Got her back home and tried a warm restart which was a little difficult. Now I'm going to get the battery tested and possibly upgrade the starter. I have read on other posts that the warm start issue could be compression related, but our 2004 still has the original starter in it. So it maybe time to upgrade to the newer 13 tooth. Keep in mind here guys, that this is my wife's daily driver. As much as I love this car, I only rarely get to drive it, but its a blast when I do.
09-25-2013, 07:45 AM
#14
I've had the BWD Coils (N3H1 18 100 D with a lifetime warranty) from O'Reilly's for at least 40,000 miles and I still have no issues; even with both plugs and wires that has 7,000 miles. I'm confident that the coils will last another 5-10,000 safely, but I'm going to change all by the end of the month. Besides, JDibley can turn the burnt coil pack in and recieve a replacement!
01-14-2016, 12:50 AM
#16
Registered
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Seabrook, TX
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Melted coil!
This just happened to me. Same exact symptoms. It took a few days to check it out due to my work schedule. All I know is that I decided to buy some from NAPA. I bought my first set from Amazon due to the ratings. One melted after a hundred miles and I got the 15a engine fuse blown. I'll replace it tomorrow when I have time, but I have to head out of town. Your thread helped me out so much.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
garethleeds
Europe For Sale/Wanted
6
11-19-2015 06:32 AM
