Coil Life or lack of it.

Post by **alzax3** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:52 pm

This was going to be a simple question about the expected life of a coil, as the brand new one I fitted at the end of May just packed up (trip back from town was full of spluttering like a points/condenser fault, then wouldn't start in the morning and resisted all adjustments until an old coil was swapped at which point it fired instantly and ran happily. Tried another coil, still happy - reconnected original coil -still dead.) I've not banged or abused it, it hasn't been left for long periods with the ignition on or such like, and the van has barely covered 500 miles whilst it's been fitted.

I've just checked where I bought it from, and they've withdrawn them as their more expensive ones are 'far superior'. To me that suggests I may not have been the only one with a short-lived (defective) coil.

I also had to change the kevlar reinforced top hose which was nearly as new, but had just split through and was spraying water over the underside of the bonnet (no way can kevlar be classed as superior if it doesn't last a year!) Come to mention it, the steering-rack gaiters I bought a few months earlier are also showing distinct cracking.......

I wonder if there is a way of setting up a 'life achieved' thread for common parts, so we could get a feel of what should last what? It could make a difference to the economics of running a car if what were discovered to be 'short term' purchases were avoided.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:22 pm

Maybe it was a 6 volt coil - designed for running with ballast ignition - which you have been running on 12 volts, which is actually 14 volts when the battery is charging! Who was the supplier ?

Post by **alzax3** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:25 pm

Thought we weren't allowed to say? But it was one of the big Morris parts suppliers, (possibly now the biggest) 12 volt, bought with all the other ignition bits. Just their 'cooking' black version rather than the top-of-the-range for about £4 more.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:37 pm

Just a statement of fact - bought a coil from XYZ and it failed after ABC months. What can be wrong with that - it's a statement of FACT! Not a general statement - such as 'XYZ Co is rubbish' etc - I agree that can't be said - but don't see any thing wrong with pure FACT!

Post by **alzax3** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:43 pm

Fine, then it was Bull Motif.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:56 pm

Have you sent it back with complaint? You SHOULD!