Wily

FYI -

Symptoms:

- Low power at higher RPMs - the car seemed to be running out of breath
- Buzzing at lower RPMs - sounding like a chronic engine knock
- CEL sometimes on, sometimes flashing at high-rpm rows
- Poor fuel economy - 2-3mpg less than what it should be doing

Diagnosis
- Code showed misfire of rotor
- Plugs, gas-cap or Coil

Fix
- Four new coils at the dealer - cost $55 each + $100 for installation
- Minimal notice at regular driving
- Noticeable difference post 3K rpm
- Car sounds better; no buzz

Verdict - If your car is 40K and you can afford the maintenance, ask that all four coils be done at once regardless.

Coil-function on an RX8 is all-the-more critical due to the higher rpms.

darielon1

is necessary to change the 4 coil , if only two of them got the white staff on the bottom?

Crazy.8

if im going to change the coils by myself is there any wiring that needs to be done or do they pretty much just bolt on and off?

dozer

iTrader: (3)

^^^^^^ https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-mazda-ignition-coils-pics-178515/ <----DIY thread, by yours truly

Crazy.8

thanks checked it out and will be changing them with your guide

EightCostsMoney

iTrader: (2)

I'm replacing my plugs this weekend. I might as well change the coils and wires at the same time. I think they were replaced about 20k ago. I just hope I can find a set local that are not a arm and leg. Do you have to get the OEM or the aftermarkets fine? The OEM are $90.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

It's a late reply but ...

Because people are so generous on beers/drinks and they can spend hundreds if not thousands a month, but on the other hand they are so cheap about that 100 something 2 on the car that gets them to the bar/home/supermarket everyday.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

That's why i always stock it up whenever I have the chance,

I mean u never know when u wanna use them, just leave a set at home, I can spare that 200 bux.

atsf101

Sorry, I'm an RX8 newbie... what does BHR mean and where can I order them?
I just changed my coils with Duralast coils from Autozone. $26/each. Immediate performance improvement (car has 63k miles, and coils, plugs, wires had never been changed before), but after 500 miles, I'm hearing noises I've not heard before, kind of like the squishing bird noise described previously, only it lasts longer then just ignition. Started doing this coincedently when weather dropped into the 30s-40s around here.
thanks

Freakmanultra

Guys you are awesome!
My 07 Rx8 has been doing the same stuff (long start with split second chirp, mpg down, rough idle when warm). I changed toe plugs about a week ago and it helped a little. Going to order my coils in a few hours when i get paid.

40w8

My 07 6spd auto at 23k miles was mostly driven at under 3k rpm on the hwy to the HPDE track where it only hits 7.5k rpm since it's auto.

In other words, I almost never stressed the car with heat or high rpm's except that rare track day in cool weather, and at least one of the coils were bad.

It was sounding real smooth, but I put your BHR coils on, and it ran stronger.

My scan gauge says 10 hp ( actual is closer to 6 hp) more than the original ones.

BHR ign is worth every $.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

once again the method in the service manual often won't give you accurate results:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-testing-all-rx-8-coils-gm-ls2-yukon-coils-sparkplug-wires-222641/

Daveydave

I'd be interested in what you find out. I'm at 28k miles with original coils, but no birds in the hood, no performance issues that I know of (had the car for a week so far and drives great). I was going to swap the plugs, coils, and wires just to make sure it's done, but was looking to go with these BWD ignition coils at $29 each. They got great reviews on the site, but after what you posted, maybe you get what you pay for? Then again, these coils do say lifetime warranty, so...

Freakmanultra

I replaced my ignition coils today and all 4 of them had the white burn spots on the bottom of the. All 4 were bat. Put in new coils from auto zone and she fired up like the day she rolled off the assembly line. It's like driving a new car now. Good think I also replaced the plugs and wires about a week ago.

caribbean_spice_boy_73

70K mine still running like new also, but looking to do some Major upgrade anyways.

MX6_2_RX8

I replaced my coils with some aftermarket ones about 10K miles ago or less. They fixed the problems I was having but now I am having classic bad coil symptoms.
- Chirping / marbles sound
- Slightly low power at low RPMs but mostly normal
- Very noticeable low power at 4K-7K
- Very bad things > 7K, sounds like misfires, banging, clattering.

I'm thinking of upgrading to the BHR system. How much more complicated is it to install the new system than just swapping out the coils? Is there a DIY on it somewhere? I swapped the last set of coils myself but I don't want to get too much deeper than that.

Have many people had dead coils in that little amount of miles? If it were 20K I wouldn't hesitate but having the coils die in under 10K makes me wonder. I've had the car since new, the coils were replaced the first time around 50K and the car has about 60K on it now. I don't drive it too much any more but when I do I don't hesitate to stretch it's legs.

Bladecutter

What is the length of the warranty on the replacement coils that you bought?
If lifetime, test the coils, find the bad ones, and get them replaced.

BC.

MX6_2_RX8

No idea what the warranty is. My last ones all tested good even though they were the source of the problem. It is such a PITA to take it all apart I'd rather just buy 4 new coils only take it apart once, and be done with it.

Back to my original question, how many people wear out coils in < 10K miles and how much more of a job is it to install the BHR set?

MX6_2_RX8

Apparently this ignition coil thread is dead based on the number of responses to my questions..

For anybody that does stumble back here, the answer is yes. Coils can die in <10K miles. I replaced all 4 with NAPA coils and all the problems noted a few posts back went away. Just about an hour job start to finish including topping the oil off. I bought 4 new plugs but haven't installed them yet.

ALL COILS TESTED GOOD USING RESISTANCE METHOD. So I guess I own 4 good coils that don't work, again.

Here are the measurements - the leading and trailing coils obviously wore differently.
(Front) 1, 2, 3, 4 (Back)
A-B 1.59K, 1.64K, 1.57K, 1.63K
B-C 308K, 307K, 308K, 300K
C-A OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN

REDRX3RX8

By the time this thread was started, most RX8club members already knew that the stock coils or even Mazda's own test couldn't be trusted.

I've got the BHR, and I'm glad I don't have to worry about missing when I go 400 miles to a track.

MX6_2_RX8

Yeah, way too many coil threads to be that useful. The funny thing is the great lengths they went to describing how good these coils are and they are the worst of all
I was really considering the BHR ones but I didn't want to throw $500 at it if it wasn't the problem. I also wasn't sure if any more of the car had to be taken apart to get it in there. Replacing the coils is about my limit of diss-assembly. I don't take apart anything that contains fluids.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Black Halo Racing. Their custom coil/wire ignition system is based on GMC Yukon coils which are considerably more robust and reliable. Easy to DIY install and highly recommended!

All we true RX-8 enthusiasts have them.

http://blackhaloracing.com/?page_id=...&product_id=19

REDRX3RX8

Yeah, ad "puffery" sucks, but now everyone can review products online so only a few get ripped.

I'm too tired to do much either, but I take my right wheel off and change oil once a year anyway.

Find you a RX8club mechanic in your area for help.

Nadrealista

Buy this coil tester from NAPA and do TeamRx8 coil testing procedure first..



good coil should work like this:

Footman

iTrader: (2)

^If you are doing that, won't that mean one of your plugs in your car isn't firing? Is that actually okay at idle?