Ignition coil change ?

[wahoossi]

Ignition coil change ?
I just bought a black '03 T4R 4.7 V8 SR5 with 110,000 mi and I am fixing it up for my son. I just Seafoamed it, changed the oil to Mobile 1, put on some Nitto Crossteks, tinted the windows, and did the Turtle Wax Black Box treatment and it looks like new. I bought NGK Laser Iridium spark plugs and was going to change them but I began wondering if I should change the ignition coils. I looked online and saw a price variance from $23 -$77 dollars each for the coils. Here is my question: How often do the coils need to be replaced? A second question is are there any recommended brand of coils or any brands or parts suppliers to be wary of quality issues? Do you only replace the coils just when there is a problem or is there a benefit to replacing them at time or mileage intervals ? Thank you in advance. I am not sure if they have been replaced before but doing it at the time of the spark plug change would be ideal, although I would hate to have to drop $500-$600 on 8 high priced coils if the less expensive ones will do.

 

[cabowally]

I wouldn't ever replace a coil until it failed. If there is a failure you will get a P0351 - P0358 DTC, one for each coil.

Someone may have contrary opinion, but if I had a failure, I would only replace the faulty unit(s) not all of them.

FYI: I've got a 2000 Tundra with 195k and had a 2003 4R with 130k and have never replaced a coil.

 

[Jeff T]

I wouldn't ever replace a coil until it failed. If there is a failure you will get a P0351 - P0358 DTC, one for each coil.

Someone may have contrary opinion, but if I had a failure, I would only replace the faulty unit(s) not all of them.

FYI: I've got a 2000 Tundra with 195k and had a 2003 4R with 130k and have never replaced a coil.

Couldn't agree more! Leave well enough alone, I'm at 183k and never replaced a coil!

 

[aha2988]

if it aint broke dont fix it

edit: btw that would be the best thing my dad has ever done for me if you've done all this for your son thats awesome i hope he's as appriciative as i would be and takes care of all the work you've done for him!!

 

[talonjade]

Kids today

if it aint broke dont fix it

edit: btw that would be the best thing my dad has ever done for me if you've done all this for your son thats awesome i hope he's as appriciative as i would be and takes care of all the work you've done for him!!

No kidding right!? He even waxed it! that's almost unprecedented...

 

[wahoossi]

Thanks. I changed the plugs with him and kept the old coils. It is challenging to get those passenger side plugs changed but we did it with a few sore knuckles. My son is 15 and will be getting his license Ina few months and I am teaching him about cars and how to drive on this beauty. It will be my tow rig as well so I will get some of the benefit. It is running great with the new plugs.

 

[jimithing]

Thanks. I changed the plugs with him and kept the old coils. It is challenging to get those passenger side plugs changed but we did it with a few sore knuckles. My son is 15 and will be getting his license Ina few months and I am teaching him about cars and how to drive on this beauty. It will be my tow rig as well so I will get some of the benefit. It is running great with the new plugs.

Hopefully he helped with that plug change, right? He's a lucky kid.

 

[lbcrider]

I know this is a super old thread but I'm posting a reply for the greater community that uses Google search to troubleshoot problems as this is how I found this thread.

From my experience, OEM coils on older 4runners should be replaced only when they go bad. My 1997 4runner has 360,000 miles on it. I still have the original coils and have never needed to replace a fuel injector. I even use cheap arco gas. Original Toyota parts are designed to last a VERY long time under normal operating conditions and the lifespan of your parts is determined by how well you have maintained you vehicle, how you drive your vehicle, and the weather conditions of where you live. I maintain my vehicles religiously, don't abuse my vehicles, and live in California where the weather doesn't get too hot or cold. In my opinion, coils are not something you should change at specific intervals.

When it comes to brands I have learned that nothing compares to original OEM parts and that many of the cheap aftermarket stuff out there is crap. 1 OEM coil will probably cost the same as an entire set of cheap aftermarket coils. If one of my coils went bad, I would replace just that one coil with a new OEM coil (Or quality aftermarket) vs replacing all my coils with cheap aftermarket stuff. If you have the budget to replace all coils with good quality aftermarket replacements, and money is not a problem, then go ahead. I have talked to several mechanics in mexico where cars are run forever and they have seen OEM toyota coils lasts much longer than 360,000 miles. So if you have a well maintained vehicle and one of your coils goes bad at 150,000 miles, who's to say that your other coils won't last until 360,000 miles like mine?

Also, it's important to do some real troubleshooting before replacing a coil. You could have a bad boot or corrosion on the coil electrical connections that will make you throw cylinder misfire codes. Many times... a simple cleaning is all you need.

I speak from experience since my 4runner has 360,000 miles.

 

[Blackhatch]

+1

I have 265K on mine.

 

[bamma]

I know this is a super old thread but I'm posting a reply for the greater community that uses Google search to troubleshoot problems as this is how I found this thread.

From my experience, OEM coils on older 4runners should be replaced only when they go bad. My 1997 4runner has 360,000 miles on it. I still have the original coils and have never needed to replace a fuel injector. I even use cheap arco gas. Original Toyota parts are designed to last a VERY long time under normal operating conditions and the lifespan of your parts is determined by how well you have maintained you vehicle, how you drive your vehicle, and the weather conditions of where you live. I maintain my vehicles religiously, don't abuse my vehicles, and live in California where the weather doesn't get too hot or cold. In my opinion, coils are not something you should change at specific intervals.

When it comes to brands I have learned that nothing compares to original OEM parts and that many of the cheap aftermarket stuff out there is crap. 1 OEM coil will probably cost the same as an entire set of cheap aftermarket coils. If one of my coils went bad, I would replace just that one coil with a new OEM coil (Or quality aftermarket) vs replacing all my coils with cheap aftermarket stuff. If you have the budget to replace all coils with good quality aftermarket replacements, and money is not a problem, then go ahead. I have talked to several mechanics in mexico where cars are run forever and they have seen OEM toyota coils lasts much longer than 360,000 miles. So if you have a well maintained vehicle and one of your coils goes bad at 150,000 miles, who's to say that your other coils won't last until 360,000 miles like mine?

Also, it's important to do some real troubleshooting before replacing a coil. You could have a bad boot or corrosion on the coil electrical connections that will make you throw cylinder misfire codes. Many times... a simple cleaning is all you need.

I speak from experience since my 4runner has 360,000 miles.

ARCO is top tier fuel.

 

[toyo]

I know this is a super old thread but I'm posting a reply for the greater community that uses Google search to troubleshoot problems as this is how I found this thread.

From my experience, OEM coils on older 4runners should be replaced only when they go bad. My 1997 4runner has 360,000 miles on it. I still have the original coils and have never needed to replace a fuel injector. I even use cheap arco gas. Original Toyota parts are designed to last a VERY long time under normal operating conditions and the lifespan of your parts is determined by how well you have maintained you vehicle, how you drive your vehicle, and the weather conditions of where you live. I maintain my vehicles religiously, don't abuse my vehicles, and live in California where the weather doesn't get too hot or cold. In my opinion, coils are not something you should change at specific intervals.

When it comes to brands I have learned that nothing compares to original OEM parts and that many of the cheap aftermarket stuff out there is crap. 1 OEM coil will probably cost the same as an entire set of cheap aftermarket coils. If one of my coils went bad, I would replace just that one coil with a new OEM coil (Or quality aftermarket) vs replacing all my coils with cheap aftermarket stuff. If you have the budget to replace all coils with good quality aftermarket replacements, and money is not a problem, then go ahead. I have talked to several mechanics in mexico where cars are run forever and they have seen OEM toyota coils lasts much longer than 360,000 miles. So if you have a well maintained vehicle and one of your coils goes bad at 150,000 miles, who's to say that your other coils won't last until 360,000 miles like mine?

Also, it's important to do some real troubleshooting before replacing a coil. You could have a bad boot or corrosion on the coil electrical connections that will make you throw cylinder misfire codes. Many times... a simple cleaning is all you need.

I speak from experience since my 4runner has 360,000 miles.

Welcome to the best 4R community around. I couldn't agree more with your post. You mentioned a good quality aftermarket coil. I have seen a pretty good drop in quality regarding aftermarket parts. I have replaced a good portion of these parts lately for some reason. In my shop I try my best to push OEM parts on everything I work on.

I am getting ready to go on a long distance trip out to CO,AZ,UT and then up to Oregon. I have been doing some maintenance this week which included changing my plugs. Only ND for me. When I remove ignition coils I always inspect them very closely, clean them very well and reinstall them using a dab of dielectric grease on the tip, connector end and the round gasket to valve cover. I had one coil that caught my eye as it was different from the other 7. It had a greyish/chalkish appearance to it from the tip to about 2 inches up. I've never run across this before so I'll keep an eye on it. All the plugs were burning perfect and all had the exact same appearance.

 

[dusty619]

Cool boot

Rock auto sells an 8 pack of denso coil boots for $35
Just bought another 04 v8 and had some hard cracked boots.
Better than buying new coils.


DENSO 6718184

 

[toyo]

Here's a good ND site.

Find My Part | DENSO Auto Parts

 

[Hkwoof]

I've had two go bad.

Same here I gave my son my 06 4runner Limited V8. He's had two ignition coils go bad in the last year. 245,000 miles. I'm tempted to change the rest of them out.

 

[highalti2d]

2006 V6 with 230K miles. Ignition coil boots were cracking so I replaced the boots and seals.