All 4 coils at once? + spark plugs??

**dod1e** · 23-02-2010,10:29 PM

On way to work today I started getting a misfire, so i took it easy for the last mile or so to the car park then parked up. When I got out there was smoke coming from under the bonnet and one of the coil packs seemed to have sprung apert and the surrounding plastic was on fire. It seemed to burn out quite quicky and i left it with the battery disconnected just in case.

When recovery truck turned up it wouldnt start at all, and they are now telling me I need 4 new coil packs and 4 new spark plugs.

I dont understand how what was clearly a single coil has suddely turned out to be all four, and even more of a mmystery to me is why i need 4 new spark plugs.

Could this be right? The fact that it would not start or fire at all would seem to back this up, but I'm not totally convinced.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Dod

**Crasher** · 23-02-2010,10:34 PM

They are funny things. The other day I did a service (including plugs) on a Golf GTI and sent it on its way. A week later the cars is missing and she comes back, misfire on number 2 plus multiple misfire. I recommended four coil packs but she said one. A few days later another failed, so this time she has three more. At the same time in the next bay we had an Octavia 1.8T where a coil pack nearly caught fire for no good reason and blew the engine management fuse. We recommend four coil packs and new plugs if one coil pack fails so they don’t have to be touched again for 60K miles. Removing them is one thing that kills them. I feel your people are trying to do a good job in making sure that it does not happen again and that the new coil packs do not have to be removed again.

**dod1e** · 24-02-2010,08:06 PM

Well turns out that when the coil pack failed it got a bit hot and has damaged the wiring loom. Is that common?

**Crasher** · 24-02-2010,11:03 PM

Yes, I had an Octavia in on Saturday, one coil melted down and started smoking and took out the fuse, it is possible yours had the wrong rating fuse fitted. I have seen it before when coil packs keep blowing the fuse and some muppet decides the solution is a 30amp fuse!

**a8 tech** · 24-02-2010,11:13 PM

A common issue and not helped by steam cleaning engines allowing water to settle inside the spark plug holes and arcing against the coil packs.
Crasher is spot on.I would always recommend the replacement of the coil packs and the plugs if required.