[s-cars] Ignition coil replacement

[Eyvind E. Spangen]

The coil pack in my '94 S4 is going bad. It's missing under boost, but
during normal driving and moderate acceleration under some boost, it is
fine. Have tried with different POS'es - no difference, it's one or more
coils/coil wiring. Plugs and the "tubes" between the coils and plugs are
new.


I have found 5 solutions:

1. New OEM coils. Can be had for $120/piece. Expensive, and I still have the
dreaded POS'es that can fail. In the end almost as expensive as the 034 set,
and far less durable. Not an option.

2. 1.8T coil conversion. Less expensive, but I've read that the 1.8T coils
can't handle the heat under the coil cover very good. Is this really a
problem running just a chip on an otherwise stock engine?

3. Used coils off Ebay or something. Can work for many years, or they can
fail again in a few weeks. Impossible to say, and a possible waste of money.
Can be had pretty cheap, though..

4. 034 HO coil set. Technically the best solution, but the price is IMHO
horrible.

5. Replace the wires on my old coil pack and keep my fingers crossed that
the problems are caused by cracked insulation and not the coils. 


I'm considering trying #5 first, but does anyone have any BTDT on replacing
the worn wires - is it possible that it might help? I'm thinking that maybe
a failing wire would have caused a missing cylinder all the time, not only
under boost..

-- 
Regards,
E. Spangen