Ignition coils...

Post any technical questions or queries here.
swifty
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by swifty »

Well I’ve just had a Remax coil failure ! … It’s probably done less than 450 miles . What do you do ? Purchased a while ago and put on the shelf as stock as we do … Shirley
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by Exminiman »

Maybe try one of these Elta coils ? Bit of a loud colour but could be painted…

No experience of them, maybe a call to Merlin to see if they they have been selling for long and get many returns ?

https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/lu ... rrency=GBP
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by Catmint »

What actually goes in the coil to make it fail, anyone cut a knackered one open ?
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by mk1 »

swifty wrote: Tue Aug 06, 2024 8:03 pm Well I’ve just had a Remax coil failure ! … It’s probably done less than 450 miles . What do you do ? Purchased a while ago and put on the shelf as stock as we do … Shirley
I have written to them 3 times about my recent failures.

Haven't had a single reply.

They obviously don't give a toss.

M
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by 111Robin »

Have you checked the failed coil resistance to see if it's open circuit ?. It's not definitive but at least might give an indication of possible cause of failure. Testing the HT output is the best check but not easy. I can test coils to full HT voltage on my Sun tuner if it's of any help.
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by 68&86auto »

I've thought about stress testing coils until they fail but it would take a lot of time and money. It would also be quite complicated depending on the failure mode.
mk1 wrote: Wed Aug 07, 2024 8:05 am
swifty wrote: Tue Aug 06, 2024 8:03 pm Well I’ve just had a Remax coil failure ! … It’s probably done less than 450 miles . What do you do ? Purchased a while ago and put on the shelf as stock as we do … Shirley
I have written to them 3 times about my recent failures.

Haven't had a single reply.

They obviously don't give a toss.

M
The fact that there's no website or details for the Remax brand is a little bit odd. I believe it is owned/created by "The Green Spark Plug Co" but due to the lack of information it isn't certain. They put posts saying stuff like "Remax have released..." indicating a company other than themselves.

I wonder how much of "The Green Spark Plug Co" really is left after the merge with "DIY CAR SERVICE PARTS", maybe not much more than a name.

Look at this lie assuming it's who you contacted
image_2024-08-07_202233061.png
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by mk1 »

I wonder how much of "The Green Spark Plug Co" really is left after the merge with "DIY CAR SERVICE PARTS", maybe not much more than a name.

This is probably the bottom line.

I knew Tim Green when he used to sit at every Auto Jumble in the North of England with his stuff on a stand. Service & stock has only got worse since those days, a takeover / company sale would probably explain the woeful after sales service.

M
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by 111Robin »

I see that Distributor Doctor sells the "made in India" Lucas coils, maybe they're ok ?. Who knows. I'm guessing that if you have a failed coil they will try to say that your setup caused the failure, easy way out and not something they will be willing to disprove. Are Bosch coils any good these days ?, they used to be the be all and end all but again I have no idea where they are made these days, we are at the mercy of global (ie. cheap) sourcing.
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by Exminiman »

These Bosch coils look ok , albeit a bit dear https://www.swiftune.com/parts-shop/ign ... oil-2.html

.....EDIT just spotted they are out of stock :roll:
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by 68&86auto »

111Robin wrote: Wed Aug 07, 2024 12:34 pm Are Bosch coils any good these days ?, they used to be the be all and end all but again I have no idea where they are made these days, we are at the mercy of global (ie. cheap) sourcing.
Bosch are no longer good. There was one model that became the one to use but even that has poor reviews now.
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by 111Robin »

68&86auto wrote: Wed Aug 07, 2024 1:26 pm
111Robin wrote: Wed Aug 07, 2024 12:34 pm Are Bosch coils any good these days ?, they used to be the be all and end all but again I have no idea where they are made these days, we are at the mercy of global (ie. cheap) sourcing.
Bosch are no longer good. There was one model that became the one to use but even that has poor reviews now.
Yes I've read about the current Bosch Blue coils manufactured in Brazil/Mexico ?. I'm not saying all such items are rubbish but it does leave it open to pot luck somewhat.
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by Exminiman »

Fooking hell, does nothing work these days..... :lol:

we are all doomed
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by Peter Laidler »

Maybe it's time to get The Distributor Doctor on board and get some made. His stuff is always pretty good
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by 111Robin »

Peter Laidler wrote: Wed Aug 07, 2024 4:33 pm Maybe it's time to get The Distributor Doctor on board and get some made. His stuff is always pretty good
Peter he sells the "made in India" "Lucas" coils, given his reputation maybe that's an indication that they aren't that bad, who knows ?.
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by Spider »

111Robin wrote: Wed Aug 07, 2024 2:03 pm
68&86auto wrote: Wed Aug 07, 2024 1:26 pm
111Robin wrote: Wed Aug 07, 2024 12:34 pm Are Bosch coils any good these days ?, they used to be the be all and end all but again I have no idea where they are made these days, we are at the mercy of global (ie. cheap) sourcing.
Bosch are no longer good. There was one model that became the one to use but even that has poor reviews now.
Yes I've read about the current Bosch Blue coils manufactured in Brazil/Mexico ?. I'm not saying all such items are rubbish but it does leave it open to pot luck somewhat.
I believe they were good, but they and just about any other Bosch Ignition Coil seem to be NLA now.

Has anyone tried Mallory Coils lately ? Used to be made in the US (and still might be). Very popular and was (still is ?) well regarded brand.

https://www.holley.com/brands/mallory/

MSD is another highly regarded ingnition brand;-

https://www.holley.com/products/ignitio ... ce_street/

Accell is another, but I know less about them;-

https://www.holley.com/brands/accel/pro ... ls/street/


It appears some ignition coils are filled with oil and other with resin.

My own view is the resin ones are likely to be less reliable. The resin needs to be mixed with the greatest of care so it's not contaminated and in the right proportions and then the coil needs to be held under vacuum after the resin has been poured to rid it of air bubbles. Given where these seem to be made these days, I think this aspect would be a fail on all accounts. The other issue with many of these potting resins is that they can shrink over time and with heat cycling and so will eventually crack.

Oil, while there's a risk of the leaking, avoids many of these issues.
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by snoopy64 »

I’ve had a Pertronix coil from the Dist Doctor for about 10years and boy it has a kick! If he is selling repro Lucas I suspect he has tested them thoroughly but no harm in asking…
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by OzOAP »

Have used Viper coils for a few years now on mine and customers cars. No problems.
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by 68&86auto »

I've had a Viper dry coil fail. It did however last longer than any other new coil I've used.
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by wantafaster1 »

Have had great results with an NGK coil, car definitely started up quicker on an old lucas one that is date stamped 1979 than a gold Lucas sports, and the same instant starting with the NGK.
It's probably 4 or 5 years since I bought it but only cost £22.
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Re: Ignition coils...

Post by timmy201 »

I bought a cheap and cheerful standard coil from a mini auto electrician here. It's worked perfectly for 8 years (along with the cheap electronic module)

Recently I have got a Bosch SU12R coil and no complaints so far. They also sell the SU12 for non-ballast systems.
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