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Coil packs help in producing excellent combustion and horsepower in the car’s engine. But if the coil pack goes bad in the middle of an emergency and you do not have any backup that cannot be a good experience.
Knowing how long do coil pack last can help you in avoiding such situations and have a smooth driving experience. Usually, coil packs are made to last the lifetime of the car. However, that is rare, and most coil packs last about 1 to 5 years on average. In case of mileage, coil packs should not require replacement for at least 120 to 150 miles.
These estimations are uncertain and can be more or less for your car’s coil pack depending on several factors. So, let’s try to understand how long your coil pack may last.
How long do coil packs last?
First, if you do not know what does a coil pack do, let me explain it to you in brief. A coil pack is a pack of ignition coils that are controlled by the car’s computer to produce spark. It takes voltage from the car’s battery to produce sparks with the energy of 50,000 to 75,000 volts. And then, the coil pack sends the voltage to the spark plug through cables.
Coil packs are usually made for a lifetime of usage. But most of the time, they get faulty after a few years. So, exactly how long do ignition coils last?
How long an ignition coil lasts depends on several factors such as age, exposure to heat & vibration, quality, spark plug gap, etc. On average, ignition coils last over 120,000 miles.
Following are some of the reasons that determine how long a coil pack will last:
Exposure to heat & vibration:
Coil packs are always exposed to heat & vibration. But when the amount of heat vibration is excessive, the insulation breaks down, which causes ignition coil failure.
Aging:
When you use a coil pack for a pretty long time, and it is old, it can lead to worn-out coil insulation. So, age can also be a factor determining the lifespan of a coil pack.
Manufacturer’s warranty:
It is quite interesting that most manufacturers produce coil packs that will serve a little more than the warranty period. So, you can not claim any warranty and are forced to buy a new coil pack.
While good quality ignition coils come with 3 to 5 years of warranty, low-quality ignition coils may have only a few months of warranty. I have got a solution to this problem. You can buy the ENA Curved Boot Ignition Coil Pack, which comes with a lifetime warranty.
Quality:
The quality of the coil pack is also an essential factor to consider. People often end up buying low-quality ignition coils that come at low prices and end up replacing them frequently. If you are looking for good quality, I recommend you use Mega Flint High Performance Ignition Coil Pack.
Spark plug gap:
A long gap between the spark plug and the leaking valve cover may also cause the coil pack to turn bad. Mainly carbon accumulation is to be blamed for such situations. Replacing the spark plug and the ignition coil can solve the problem.
If you buy an ignition coil pack considering the factors above, you can expect your coil pack to last more than average.
When to replace ignition coil?
Ignition coils do not require replacement unless you face any problem with them. So the question is when to change ignition coil?
If you find out that the ignition coil is bad, then replacing the faulty coils is the best solution. Replacing them will enable your car to perform at an optimum level.
How often to replace ignition coils?
If you want the best performance from your car, you need to replace the ignition coil on a regular basis. But how often to change ignition coils?
You can replace the ignition coils every three to five years. However, you may also require replacement before that if the coil is bad earlier. Some ignition coils also last more than five years. Hence, you may not need to replace the coils for a long time.
According to automotive experts and users replacing ignition coils every 3 to 6 months could be the best practice. Technically to speak, the replacement depends on the lifespan of the coil pack you use. Whenever you see the coil pack is bad, replace it.
How to tell if coil pack is bad?
Now the obvious question is, how to tell if a coil pack is bad? Well, you can check for some symptoms and look at the coil pack to understand if the coil is bad or good.
Let’s explore the bad coil pack symptoms and look:
What are the symptoms of a bad ignition coil?
- Engine misfiring: If your engine misfires while trying to start can be because of a bad ignition coil.
- Bad fuel economy: A faulty ignition coil also results in poor fuel economy, which means your car runs less on more fuel.
- Check engine indicator is on: When your car’s monitor displays check engine notification, it can be due to a bad ignition coil.
- Backfiring: Sudden backfiring is another sign of the bad coil pack. Due to backfiring, black smoke comes out through the exhaust pipe of your car.
- Hard starts: Check the ignition coil if you find it hard to start your vehicle, as this can be a result of engine coil malfunction. Don’t try to force start as that can worsen the engine and coil’s situation.
What does a bad coil pack look like?
In general, a bad coil pack looks like any other working coil packs. It’s hard to tell if a coil pack is bad only by looking at it. However, sometimes you may notice a sign of cracks, melting, or burns that indicate a bad coil pack.
How much is an ignition coil?
A single piece of ignition coil costs around $20 to $150, while an ignition coil pack price is from $50 to $300 on average. Additionally, the ignition coil replacement cost is approximately $30 to $60.
If you need a single ignition coil, then you can try Delphi GN10328 Ignition Coil, which comes at a reasonable price. You can check MAS Ignition Coil Pack & Motorcraft Spark Plug if you want to purchase a coil pack for less than hundred dollars. AA Ignition Coil Pack is high quality for the price which is designed for ford explorer coil pack problems.
What are the Best budget Ignition Coils of 2022 (Honorable mention):
Installing the best ignition coil pack means getting the top performance out of your vehicle. Getting the best coil pack for 2022 isn’t rocket science. Following are some of the best ignition coil packs for your car.
Product name | Key features | Why it is best | Best compatible with |
QYL 4Pcs Ignition Coils Pack | The wire coating prevents cracks and pinholes Coil-on-plug/direct ignition system It uses a high quality plastic material to make it lightweight and durable | Easy to install and comes within a budget | Nissan (Altima, Cube, Sentra, Rogue, Select, NV200, Pathfinder) |
ENA Direct Ignition Coil Pack | Improved OE design for easy installation and superior performanceSuitable under all operating conditions1-year limited warranty | It provides excellent mileage | Ford, Mercury, Lincoln |
RANSOTO Ignition Coils | Heat and shock resistant material for a longer lifespanUnique design to reduce installation time1-year warranty | Solves misfiring issues caused by bad coils | Hyundai (Elantra, Kona, Sonata, Veloster, Kia, Forte, Optima) |
Bravex 8 Pack Straight Boot Ignition Coils | Super high conductive oil and High Di-electric Performance Epoxy improves performanceIt uses Elektrisola copper wire for excellent durability5-year warranty | Offers 10–15% better performance than OE | Ford, Mercury, Lincoln |
ENA Set of 6 Ignition Coil Pack | High-quality copper material for long durabilityUnique and small winding design for a better fittingThe coils come pre-greased | It eliminates misfiring and other coil issues and increases mileage. | Chevrolet, GMC, Isuzu |
How to test coil pack without multimeter?
The most efficient way to test a coil pack is using a multimeter. But if you do not have a multimeter or do not know how to use one, you can follow the swapping method.
When one of the cylinders misfires, you can replace the coil with another cylinder that is working fine. If the cylinder and engine work fine, that means the coil is bad and requires replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes ignition coils to keep going bad?
A bad spark plug or faulty spark plug can cause ignition coils to keep going bad. Replacing the coils as well as the spark plug or wire can solve this problem. The cost to replace spark plugs and coils is approximately $50 to $150 (only installation cost).
How to tell which coil pack is bad f150?
You need to test each ignition coil in your car to know which coil pack is bad specifically. Test the coils with the multimeter to confirm if a coil pack is bad or good.
How long does it take to replace ignition coil?
On average, it can take from 20 minutes to 3 hours or more to replace ignition coils. The duration of the replacement depends on the type of coil and the model of the car.
How many coil packs are in a v6?
A v6 engine is likely to have six individual ignition coils. However, depending on the manufacturing company and year, it may also include one or three coils in your car.
Should I replace all ignition coils at once?
If only one or a few coils are bad, then you do not need to replace all ignition coils at once. Only change the ones that are bad.
Conclusion
Coil packs can last a few months to a few years. If your face coil pack problems frequently, it is best to keep one extra pack in your car all the time. Therefore if there is an emergency, you can replace the ignition coils and drive comfortably.
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Thank you very thoughtful and comprehensive. Good helpful information and advice.
Upon reading when to replace coils is every 3 5 years techs 3-6 years. Considering costing from $40 (I would not install) to $80 each no labor, the latter being ford or gm OME If you have a ford v8 or v10 that’s $640 to $800. I would go with the 100,000 to 120,000 miles. Change your plugs to reduce wear on coils. Some techs want to change coils every time you replace plugs. Not necessary. Good read. Look after engine and the coils will last. Thanks. Ps. I have 1970 Volvo P1800 with over 250,000 miles. the single old coil going strong.