It was the coil

Post by **mobylette** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 3:34 pm

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?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jan 19, 2014 7:07 pm

Modern coils are indeed hopeless - good 'old' coil is what you need.

Post by **MarkyB** » Sun Jan 19, 2014 7:34 pm

Coil packs seem very prone to failure compared to ye olde coil.

Post by **irmscher** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:12 pm

Never the coil

Post by **dalebrignall** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 4:43 pm

just go for a bog standard coil and have tight connections

Post by **mobylette** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 5:46 pm

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.

Post by **horologiumwatches** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:12 pm

irmscher wrote:Never the coil

I was thinking that..... hey Mr bmc....

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:14 pm

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!

Post by **dalebrignall** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 4:45 pm

i got a coil from bull motiff its been on the car 8 years and does the job thats all you need

Post by **daveyl** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 5:18 pm

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?

Post by **mobylette** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:47 am

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.

Post by **tysonn** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 5:23 pm

But you wont need to as its NEVER the coil.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:20 pm

Ahh - but to prove that, you should always carry a spare coil in the car. I do.

Post by **tysonn** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:55 pm

Post by **horologiumwatches** » Fri Jan 24, 2014 10:34 pm

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".......

Morris Minor Owners Club

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