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How do I know if I need new ignition coil?

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Old 07-06-2009, 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Charles R. Hill
Gotta be careful with that one as Mazda's acceptable specs are sketchy.
The same holds true for their acceptable side seal clearances.

+1

I have a bunch of coils that failed @ high rpm. tested them with my new toy, its all within Mazda's spec. but hey, Im getting misfires with them.

Change it with new coils, everything works again, no misfire.

so yeah ...

From now on, everytime someone saids "You know no better than Mazda", I will just throw them to this post.
Old 07-06-2009, 04:46 PM
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^yeah that sounds like a good idea to me....
Old 07-06-2009, 05:44 PM
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Misfires?
what's that?
I don't get those with my coils.
Old 07-06-2009, 06:30 PM
  #54  
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^me neither(knocks on wood) with my stockers 49k on them.....
Old 07-06-2009, 07:16 PM
  #55  
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yea i changed mine well after they needed to be changed lol it made a huge difference
Old 07-09-2009, 10:38 AM
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I think it is safe to say that Mazda does have a insufficient coil in use, although some are fine long term many are failing early. What I just don't get is why Mazda has not beefed these coils up. There are coils out there that are better, Chevy Yukon coils as in the coil upgrade package.

It is again disappointing that Mazda came so far with this engine then dropped the ball with weak coils. Come on Mazda wake up and get on the ball....BETTER COILS.
Old 07-09-2009, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Raptor75
I think it is safe to say that Mazda does have a insufficient coil in use, although some are fine long term many are failing early. What I just don't get is why Mazda has not beefed these coils up. There are coils out there that are better, Chevy Yukon coils as in the coil upgrade package.

It is again disappointing that Mazda came so far with this engine then dropped the ball with weak coils. Come on Mazda wake up and get on the ball....BETTER COILS.
I dont know what sup with Mazda, but it seems that they "downgrade" their coils every generation.

for example, my FC's coils can support up to 400-500 hp without breaking a sweat. The FD, nope, they "downgrade" it so a lot of FD guys swap the coils with FC ones. (dunno how they do it, but thats what I've been reading)

Now ... RX8 ... cant even support 200 something hp for long ... not good ...
Old 07-09-2009, 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Jedi54
Misfires?
what's that?
I don't get those with my coils.
You're gay :P
Old 07-10-2009, 11:16 AM
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IMPOSSIBLE Jedi!!!
Old 12-23-2009, 12:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Jedi54
Brujo: it must be your magical witch powers or something that made the coils last that long. I've seen VERY few owners report their coils going that long. Bravo my good man.

I am about to hit 60,000 on my '05, I've replaced the coils on 3 different ocassions. On one ocassions I was seeing a definite loss of power, the other two times were simply preventative.
I've got the BHR ignition kit now and I've had no issues. I'm pretty certain I won't be replacing a coil ANY time soon.
I just changed my coils and wires out tonight for the first time with 98,000 miles on them. Two of the coils were going bad. Before I changed them I had minor backfiring at idle but now it purrs great. Haven't really noticed a change in power though.
Old 12-23-2009, 12:21 AM
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98,000 miles?!
Old 12-23-2009, 01:25 PM
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Actually I checked and it's almost at 99,000. My baby is getting old. I did notice an increase in power today when I drove it for a bit longer. I had a vacuum test done a week ago and the numbers were great. Guess I just got a good car. I have taken care of it though by way of plugs, oil changes, keeping the throttle body clean and carbon blown out.

I've searched the threads and I can't find which kind of anti seize to use on the plugs when changing. The different types of anti seize are copper, nickel and zinc. Nickel is the most widely used but I know it depends on the kind of metal it's going on. Anyone know which kind I should use on the plugs?
Old 12-29-2009, 08:57 AM
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I also have the idle speed skip and the power seems down - no real torque comes on until about 5500 rpm (I used to get the kick at about 4K). Dealer said "new coil (as in one), new plugs, and decarbonize, for $750. I just ordered 4 new coils and plugs for $200. As for decarbonization, well, after I change the plugs and coils I'll run it about 85 in 3rd gear for a mile - that ought to do it.

Same question as grease on the antiseize.
Old 12-29-2009, 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Gozza_11
the easiest way to identify coil problems is at start up when the engine is cold. if you hear a chirp ( sounds like an annoying bird) then you have a coil problem. no its not the belts as many of your mechanics will say, its your coils i had this issue thinking it was the belts but indeed its you fried coil(s)
can this be confirmed? I get a chirp every morning when I turn the car on (its cold out also)
Old 01-15-2010, 01:18 PM
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90k here, coils finally took a ****. just wanted to check if there was any after market brand that is better then the OEM. Thanks in advance.
Old 01-15-2010, 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Bigbacon
can this be confirmed? I get a chirp every morning when I turn the car on (its cold out also)
nope.
easiest (and most conslusive) way to test the coils is with a multimeter. I've posted the instructions on here at least a dozen times.
Originally Posted by mike0615
90k here, coils finally took a ****. just wanted to check if there was any after market brand that is better then the OEM. Thanks in advance.
OEM is still the cheapest but it's hit or miss.
BHR ignition kit is the way to go if you don't mind spending the extra $$$.
Old 01-15-2010, 01:50 PM
  #67  
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^ Yep, the only sure way is to conduct an inductive test to assure coil-to-'plug current flow (timing light) and a resistive test on the coils themselves to assure proper output (ohmeter).
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
Coil Check 01-016-07-1793.pdf (73.4 KB, 1344 views)
Old 01-16-2010, 02:16 AM
  #68  
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I lost power when I hit 65k..
Old 03-01-2010, 09:20 PM
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coil change

I've changed spark plug last weekend (without taking out tyre :P) and now my engine is very stable on idle. However, I still have problem with CEL ( stays on even after reset) and 2 3 seconds delay when starting engine.
Can this be caused by bad coils?

Thanks in advance..
Old 03-06-2010, 10:31 AM
  #70  
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Exclamation Ahh! Coils!

Just wondering if anyone has heard of a price that can beat the http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/rafr...1416844k935266
That would be awesome a ten.
Old 03-06-2010, 06:42 PM
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Originally Posted by T RX8
Just wondering if anyone has heard of a price that can beat the http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/rafr...1416844k935266
That would be awesome a ten.
These cost $3 more for the set (Includes all 4) and they are OEM vs God knows whose brand. These are the cheapest RX8 coils in the US (Factory OEM).

http://www.mazmart.com/PartsList.aspx?id=32&n=NEW&m=6

Paul.

Last edited by Mazmart; 03-06-2010 at 06:45 PM.
Old 03-09-2010, 07:18 PM
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FML. Randy airtex will be here in 2 days, ordered friday. My bad, would of def rather of taken those. Next time for sure.
Old 03-21-2010, 03:21 PM
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Gozza Got It Right.

Originally Posted by Gozza_11
the easiest way to identify coil problems is at start up when the engine is cold. if you hear a chirp ( sounds like an annoying bird) then you have a coil problem. no its not the belts as many of your mechanics will say, its your coils i had this issue thinking it was the belts but indeed its you fried coil(s)

I read this, opened the hood, started the car (cold), hear what sounded like someone stepping on two small birds. When I changed the coils, all 4 had light white spots, 2 had huge white spots and matching spots on the metal plate. When I started the car, no more squished bird noises, runs better, and pulls better above 7,000.

Quiet Coils Rule..
Old 06-04-2010, 09:44 PM
  #74  
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Sorry to beat a dead horse, but do failing coil effect fuel economy? I've been noticing some pretty terrible miles per tank on my car...170...And I've been told that it should be getting over 250...Could anyone elaborate on this?

-Mike
Old 06-04-2010, 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by makristal
Sorry to beat a dead horse, but do failing coil effect fuel economy? I've been noticing some pretty terrible miles per tank on my car...170...And I've been told that it should be getting over 250...Could anyone elaborate on this?

-Mike
Yes

Same thing for spark plugs.


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