How do I know if I need new ignition coil?
#101
FYI -
Symptoms:
- Low power at higher RPMs - the car seemed to be running out of breath
- Buzzing at lower RPMs - sounding like a chronic engine knock
- CEL sometimes on, sometimes flashing at high-rpm rows
- Poor fuel economy - 2-3mpg less than what it should be doing
Diagnosis
- Code showed misfire of rotor
- Plugs, gas-cap or Coil
Fix
- Four new coils at the dealer - cost $55 each + $100 for installation
- Minimal notice at regular driving
- Noticeable difference post 3K rpm
- Car sounds better; no buzz
Verdict - If your car is 40K and you can afford the maintenance, ask that all four coils be done at once regardless.
Coil-function on an RX8 is all-the-more critical due to the higher rpms.
Symptoms:
- Low power at higher RPMs - the car seemed to be running out of breath
- Buzzing at lower RPMs - sounding like a chronic engine knock
- CEL sometimes on, sometimes flashing at high-rpm rows
- Poor fuel economy - 2-3mpg less than what it should be doing
Diagnosis
- Code showed misfire of rotor
- Plugs, gas-cap or Coil
Fix
- Four new coils at the dealer - cost $55 each + $100 for installation
- Minimal notice at regular driving
- Noticeable difference post 3K rpm
- Car sounds better; no buzz
Verdict - If your car is 40K and you can afford the maintenance, ask that all four coils be done at once regardless.
Coil-function on an RX8 is all-the-more critical due to the higher rpms.
#106
I'm replacing my plugs this weekend. I might as well change the coils and wires at the same time. I think they were replaced about 20k ago. I just hope I can find a set local that are not a arm and leg. Do you have to get the OEM or the aftermarkets fine? The OEM are $90.
Last edited by EightCostsMoney; 09-15-2011 at 09:28 AM.
#109
BHR coils
I just changed my coils with Duralast coils from Autozone. $26/each. Immediate performance improvement (car has 63k miles, and coils, plugs, wires had never been changed before), but after 500 miles, I'm hearing noises I've not heard before, kind of like the squishing bird noise described previously, only it lasts longer then just ignition. Started doing this coincedently when weather dropped into the 30s-40s around here.
thanks
#110
Guys you are awesome!
My 07 Rx8 has been doing the same stuff (long start with split second chirp, mpg down, rough idle when warm). I changed toe plugs about a week ago and it helped a little. Going to order my coils in a few hours when i get paid.
My 07 Rx8 has been doing the same stuff (long start with split second chirp, mpg down, rough idle when warm). I changed toe plugs about a week ago and it helped a little. Going to order my coils in a few hours when i get paid.
#111
In other words, I almost never stressed the car with heat or high rpm's except that rare track day in cool weather, and at least one of the coils were bad.
It was sounding real smooth, but I put your BHR coils on, and it ran stronger.
My scan gauge says 10 hp ( actual is closer to 6 hp) more than the original ones.
BHR ign is worth every $.
#112
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
once again the method in the service manual often won't give you accurate results:
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-testing-all-rx-8-coils-gm-ls2-yukon-coils-sparkplug-wires-222641/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-testing-all-rx-8-coils-gm-ls2-yukon-coils-sparkplug-wires-222641/
#113
Registered Maniac
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Sterling, VA
Posts: 70
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Sorry, I'm an RX8 newbie... what does BHR mean and where can I order them?
I just changed my coils with Duralast coils from Autozone. $26/each. Immediate performance improvement (car has 63k miles, and coils, plugs, wires had never been changed before), but after 500 miles, I'm hearing noises I've not heard before, kind of like the squishing bird noise described previously, only it lasts longer then just ignition. Started doing this coincedently when weather dropped into the 30s-40s around here.
thanks
I just changed my coils with Duralast coils from Autozone. $26/each. Immediate performance improvement (car has 63k miles, and coils, plugs, wires had never been changed before), but after 500 miles, I'm hearing noises I've not heard before, kind of like the squishing bird noise described previously, only it lasts longer then just ignition. Started doing this coincedently when weather dropped into the 30s-40s around here.
thanks
#114
I replaced my ignition coils today and all 4 of them had the white burn spots on the bottom of the. All 4 were bat. Put in new coils from auto zone and she fired up like the day she rolled off the assembly line. It's like driving a new car now. Good think I also replaced the plugs and wires about a week ago.
#115
Work in Progress
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Orange, CA
Posts: 106
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#116
A nice step up!!!
Coil Advice Please
I replaced my coils with some aftermarket ones about 10K miles ago or less. They fixed the problems I was having but now I am having classic bad coil symptoms.
- Chirping / marbles sound
- Slightly low power at low RPMs but mostly normal
- Very noticeable low power at 4K-7K
- Very bad things > 7K, sounds like misfires, banging, clattering.
I'm thinking of upgrading to the BHR system. How much more complicated is it to install the new system than just swapping out the coils? Is there a DIY on it somewhere? I swapped the last set of coils myself but I don't want to get too much deeper than that.
Have many people had dead coils in that little amount of miles? If it were 20K I wouldn't hesitate but having the coils die in under 10K makes me wonder. I've had the car since new, the coils were replaced the first time around 50K and the car has about 60K on it now. I don't drive it too much any more but when I do I don't hesitate to stretch it's legs.
- Chirping / marbles sound
- Slightly low power at low RPMs but mostly normal
- Very noticeable low power at 4K-7K
- Very bad things > 7K, sounds like misfires, banging, clattering.
I'm thinking of upgrading to the BHR system. How much more complicated is it to install the new system than just swapping out the coils? Is there a DIY on it somewhere? I swapped the last set of coils myself but I don't want to get too much deeper than that.
Have many people had dead coils in that little amount of miles? If it were 20K I wouldn't hesitate but having the coils die in under 10K makes me wonder. I've had the car since new, the coils were replaced the first time around 50K and the car has about 60K on it now. I don't drive it too much any more but when I do I don't hesitate to stretch it's legs.
#117
Rockie Mountain Newbie
What is the length of the warranty on the replacement coils that you bought?
If lifetime, test the coils, find the bad ones, and get them replaced.
BC.
If lifetime, test the coils, find the bad ones, and get them replaced.
BC.
#118
A nice step up!!!
No idea what the warranty is. My last ones all tested good even though they were the source of the problem. It is such a PITA to take it all apart I'd rather just buy 4 new coils only take it apart once, and be done with it.
Back to my original question, how many people wear out coils in < 10K miles and how much more of a job is it to install the BHR set?
Back to my original question, how many people wear out coils in < 10K miles and how much more of a job is it to install the BHR set?
#119
A nice step up!!!
How di I know if I need a new ignition coil? - you drive an RX-8
Apparently this ignition coil thread is dead based on the number of responses to my questions..
For anybody that does stumble back here, the answer is yes. Coils can die in <10K miles. I replaced all 4 with NAPA coils and all the problems noted a few posts back went away. Just about an hour job start to finish including topping the oil off. I bought 4 new plugs but haven't installed them yet.
ALL COILS TESTED GOOD USING RESISTANCE METHOD. So I guess I own 4 good coils that don't work, again.
Here are the measurements - the leading and trailing coils obviously wore differently.
(Front) 1, 2, 3, 4 (Back)
A-B 1.59K, 1.64K, 1.57K, 1.63K
B-C 308K, 307K, 308K, 300K
C-A OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN
For anybody that does stumble back here, the answer is yes. Coils can die in <10K miles. I replaced all 4 with NAPA coils and all the problems noted a few posts back went away. Just about an hour job start to finish including topping the oil off. I bought 4 new plugs but haven't installed them yet.
ALL COILS TESTED GOOD USING RESISTANCE METHOD. So I guess I own 4 good coils that don't work, again.
Here are the measurements - the leading and trailing coils obviously wore differently.
(Front) 1, 2, 3, 4 (Back)
A-B 1.59K, 1.64K, 1.57K, 1.63K
B-C 308K, 307K, 308K, 300K
C-A OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN
#120
By the time this thread was started, most RX8club members already knew that the stock coils or even Mazda's own test couldn't be trusted.
I've got the BHR, and I'm glad I don't have to worry about missing when I go 400 miles to a track.
I've got the BHR, and I'm glad I don't have to worry about missing when I go 400 miles to a track.
#121
A nice step up!!!
Yeah, way too many coil threads to be that useful. The funny thing is the great lengths they went to describing how good these coils are and they are the worst of all
I was really considering the BHR ones but I didn't want to throw $500 at it if it wasn't the problem. I also wasn't sure if any more of the car had to be taken apart to get it in there. Replacing the coils is about my limit of diss-assembly. I don't take apart anything that contains fluids.
From RockAuto site-
Ignition Control Module Features:
Copper slug heat sinks provide better heat dissipation to prevent heat damage to the module.
Double wire bonds create better connections, greater dependability and longer life.
Flip Chips provide the best connections and are matched to the thermal expansion properties of our ceramic substrate thus eliminating failure due to broken connections between the chip and the board.
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Suppression Diode is designed with a premium quality containment circuitry that suppresses voltage spikes preventing premature failure.
Ignition Control Module Features:
Copper slug heat sinks provide better heat dissipation to prevent heat damage to the module.
Double wire bonds create better connections, greater dependability and longer life.
Flip Chips provide the best connections and are matched to the thermal expansion properties of our ceramic substrate thus eliminating failure due to broken connections between the chip and the board.
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Suppression Diode is designed with a premium quality containment circuitry that suppresses voltage spikes preventing premature failure.
#122
Registered Zoom Zoomer
iTrader: (2)
Black Halo Racing. Their custom coil/wire ignition system is based on GMC Yukon coils which are considerably more robust and reliable. Easy to DIY install and highly recommended!
All we true RX-8 enthusiasts have them.
http://blackhaloracing.com/?page_id=...&product_id=19
All we true RX-8 enthusiasts have them.
http://blackhaloracing.com/?page_id=...&product_id=19
Sorry, I'm an RX8 newbie... what does BHR mean and where can I order them?
I just changed my coils with Duralast coils from Autozone. $26/each. Immediate performance improvement (car has 63k miles, and coils, plugs, wires had never been changed before), but after 500 miles, I'm hearing noises I've not heard before, kind of like the squishing bird noise described previously, only it lasts longer then just ignition. Started doing this coincedently when weather dropped into the 30s-40s around here.
thanks
I just changed my coils with Duralast coils from Autozone. $26/each. Immediate performance improvement (car has 63k miles, and coils, plugs, wires had never been changed before), but after 500 miles, I'm hearing noises I've not heard before, kind of like the squishing bird noise described previously, only it lasts longer then just ignition. Started doing this coincedently when weather dropped into the 30s-40s around here.
thanks
#123
Yeah, way too many coil threads to be that useful. The funny thing is the great lengths they went to describing how good these coils are and they are the worst of all
I was really considering the BHR ones but I didn't want to throw $500 at it if it wasn't the problem. I also wasn't sure if any more of the car had to be taken apart to get it in there. Replacing the coils is about my limit of diss-assembly. I don't take apart anything that contains fluids.
I was really considering the BHR ones but I didn't want to throw $500 at it if it wasn't the problem. I also wasn't sure if any more of the car had to be taken apart to get it in there. Replacing the coils is about my limit of diss-assembly. I don't take apart anything that contains fluids.
I'm too tired to do much either, but I take my right wheel off and change oil once a year anyway.
Find you a RX8club mechanic in your area for help.