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It was the coil
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 3:34 pm
by mobylette
I have been having problems with my V8 engined series 2 Land Rover recently. Starting on less than eight cylinders, and taking an age to warm up & run properly. This has been getting worse, and today it would fire but not start . I had thought the continual wet weather may have caused problems, and was considering changing the whole HT side of things. While I had my head under the bonnet just now, I spotted the dreaded Lucas "sports" gold ignition coil. I also noted that it was fitted upside down (correct orientation for a LR). I have read of problems caused by mounting modern coils inverted, to do with a lack of cooling oil. I had a spare coil in the shed, fitted it and she fired up straight away on all cylinders. A trip around the block confirms all problems solved, and in fact the old girl is going better than she ever has.
As I have no more spare "old" coils, I wondered if anyone has tried the Bosch "Blue" coils as advertised here:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130982230149? ... 1438.l2649
It states that they are filled with oil under pressure, so could presumably be fitted in any orientation. Any thoughts on their suitability for Morrises and Land Rovers?
Re: It was the coil
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 7:07 pm
by bmcecosse
Modern coils are indeed hopeless - good 'old' coil is what you need.
Re: It was the coil
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 7:34 pm
by MarkyB
Coil packs seem very prone to failure compared to ye olde coil.
Re: It was the coil
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:12 pm
by irmscher
Never the coil
Re: It was the coil
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 4:43 pm
by dalebrignall
just go for a bog standard coil and have tight connections
Re: It was the coil
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 5:46 pm
by mobylette
A bog standard original spec coil is what I would like to fit, but they are no longer made
The items now sold as Lucas are of unknown origin & dubious quality, hence my question about the Bosch items. Presumably they still have a reputation to uphold.
Re: It was the coil
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:12 pm
by horologiumwatches
Re: It was the coil
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:14 pm
by bmcecosse
I seriously doubt it was the coil - more likely bad connections at the coil. If it was the coil (it CAN happen..) it wouldn't have run at all!
Re: It was the coil
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 4:45 pm
by dalebrignall
i got a coil from bull motiff its been on the car 8 years and does the job thats all you need
Re: It was the coil
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 5:18 pm
by daveyl
I have a Lucas sports coil and indeed, if it is mounted horizontally, it leaks oil out of the top. Although, this may have something to do with me dropping it!
Anyway, I 'epoxyed' the seal and mounted back to the vertical (where it had been for 5 years prior to dropping it) It may be that your coil may have shed it's oil, being mounted upside down.
The Bosch unit is a 12v NON-ballast and the 'AD' seems to imply that you can mount it anyway you like. Is it just a standard coil used for a V8?
Re: It was the coil
Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:47 am
by mobylette
Yes, it appears that both Bosch and Lucas standard coils were fitted. As it is now up and running I will leave things as they are, but if I need to purchase a new coil in the future, I will try a Bosch. Thanks for your replies.
Re: It was the coil
Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 5:23 pm
by tysonn
But you wont need to as its NEVER the coil.
Re: It was the coil
Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:20 pm
by bmcecosse
Ahh - but to prove that, you should always carry a spare coil in the car. I do.
Re: It was the coil
Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:55 pm
by tysonn
Re: It was the coil
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 10:34 pm
by horologiumwatches
bmcecosse wrote:Ahh - but to prove that, you should always carry a spare coil in the car. I do.
Why? Unnecessary weight, "it's never the coil".......
