Coils aging

[gusagar]

How many years the coils last. Is it normal to replace all, or some of them after 8 years of duty?

Nice if some of you share your coil's experience with me, I'm about to replace all of them if an oscilloscope magnetic coupled probe fails to let me know wich is the fu"&%$ coil that fails from time to time.

GUS

 

[SKycity_BMW]

Check out this thread . . . you can test your coils
http://www.maxbimmer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36623&highlight=coils


How to take out your coils . .
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/E36-Spark-Plugs/E36-Spark-Plugs.htm

 

[Big Daddy]

How many years the coils last. Is it normal to replace all, or some of them after 8 years of duty?

I do not think there is one simple answer to this question. I never replaced a coil on my 84 733i w/250k on her, nor on my 91 318is w/165k on her, nor my 750iL w/100k on her or my 98 M roadster w/45 on her. So there is no simple answer. I think Sean has offered some good advice and tetsing your coils is the only answer. Good luck.

 

[gusagar]

Check out this thread . . . you can test your coils
http://www.maxbimmer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36623&highlight=coils


How to take out your coils . .
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/E36-Spark-Plugs/E36-Spark-Plugs.htm

I have the Benthley manual. There are two very different tests you can do with a coil, a static one where you measure the ohms of the primary circuit and the same for the secondary one. Any high voltage (remember there are 10k volts or more at sec) leak cant´t be read with an ohmmeter.
The only reliable static test that can be done is with a high voltage insulation meter, but it isn't an easy task.

The dynamic test is the only one that will tell you which one(s) is the evil coil.

So today I'll build the transducer to "see" the waveforms in my oscilloscope.

Seems like I'm answering my own question, I do this because; mor info, less future problems for my forum friends.

For sure I'll let you know the results. Thanks so much for your responses.

GUS, a proudly Colombian Citizen

 

[bmw555]

I wouldn't change the coils unless you want stiffer/softer ones, you might change shocks if the car is old, but still - if the car runs good I woudn't touch the suspension at all.

 

[Big Daddy]

I wouldn't change the coils unless you want stiffer/softer ones, you might change shocks if the car is old, but still - if the car runs good I woudn't touch the suspension at all.

He's talking about the engine electrical coils, not suspension coils.

 

[bmw555]

He's talking about the engine electrical coils, not suspension coils.

ooh, I see

 

[bmw555]

Btw, how often spark plugs should be replace on E36 328? Mine were replaced about 30k miles ago.

 

[Big Daddy]

I believe the manual says every 50k. I have heard of some people going 100k. I would replace as often as the manual calls for it.

 

[gusagar]

Btw, how often spark plugs should be replace on E36 328? Mine were replaced about 30k miles ago.

I think 30k is the top limit for the OEM's. 100K is a lot of time to wait between changes.

The Bosch 4+ perhaps will lasts double.

GG