Ignition coil bolt can’t bolt down

ANSWER : The valve cover on that side of the engine has the broken bolt boss. The only way to secure the coil is to either replace the valve cover so you have the bolt boss to bolt down the coil, or to change the coil involved in the misfire.

ANSWER : Hi there. The spark plugs are rated for 100,000 miles for your vehicle, so you have about 5,000 miles left on their life for a decent spark. I recommend changing the spark plugs with the OEM parts to ensure a long life and good strength spark. The coil packs on the other hand are designed to last up to 12 years. I recommend not changing any coil packs unless they are not working. If you need further assistance with your ignition system, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

ANSWER : Hello. The numbers you have provided did not yield any results through my search. If the part numbers are different, and the ends are physically different, then they may very well be different coils or it may just be an updated design. I would verify with a parts specialist or BMW dealership if the parts are compatible or not. Also, keep in mind that it may be possible that the coil packs are not the source of the issue. If the Check Engine Light is on I would scan the trouble codes as they may help shed some light on if the coils are the issue or not. A certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the Check Engine Light and loss of power in order to make the correct repairs.

ANSWER : The automatic shutdown (ASD) relay powers the coil and is turned on and off by the engine control module ECM. If you scan the engine and get a code 40, then you may have a bad ASD relay, but there is a pinpoint test to follow in order to reach this diagnosis. I suggest replacing the relay with a known good one to see if it starts and runs. If it still does not start, then there is a long pinpoint test to follow in order to diagnose your car’s trouble starting.

ANSWER : Ignition coils can be a very tricky component to diagnose and there is virtually no way to tell when one may or may not fail without pulling one apart and doing extensive testing. Often times when they fail, it can happen over an extended period of time and will generally happen intermittently and randomly. Ignition coils are coated with a varnish-like insulation that becomes brittle over time after being stretched then contracted repeatedly The insulation develops small fractures that open when heated and close when cooled. When open, they allow shorting of coil windings and decrease or eliminate the coil’s ability to function. This type of temperature cycling happens because every time you shut the engine off, the fan stops running, the coolant stops flowing and the temperature under the hood rises. Every time you start the engine again the coolant flows, the fans turn on, and the temperature drops. When this heat dissipates and is absorbed under the hood, it is trapped causing this cycling effect. It is a matter of personal preference as to whether or not you prefer to replace all of the coils at the same time. It may be beneficial to do so since it may be a bit more efficient from a labor standpoint, however replacing them all does not necessarily guarantee that one of them may not fail in the future. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at your vehicle to properly diagnose your ignition system.

ANSWER : Hello,
Yes, you will need to replace coil #3. Coils are made of a series of coil windings that are designed to conduct electricity and when wet this cannot happen. I would recommend replacing the ignition coil to ensure that the coil fires properly.

ANSWER : The two Diagnostic Trouble Codes, P0304 and P0302, refer to cylinder misfiring. A faulty ignition coil, spark plug, wire, and so forth can cause a cylinder to misfire but there are other possible causes, too. Consequently, the only way to determine the actual cause or faulty part is to perform an engine diagnostic during which each relevant part and system is tested.

If an obvious and common cause, such as a bad coil, is not immediately found during the diagnostic, these additional possible causes of engine misfiring would have to be evaluated: oxygen sensor(s), fuel injector, burned exhaust valve, catalytic converter(s), poor compression, clogged EGR valves or tubes, wrong ignition timing, vacuum leaks, low fuel or low fuel pressure, leaking head gasket, bad camshaft or crankshaft sensor, bad mass air flow or throttle position sensor, and defective computer (least likely cause).

I recommend having a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your location to determine why the car is misfiring and suggest the necessary repairs.

ANSWER : Hello, thanks for writing in! There is no such thing as a B location for a coil. You have six coils, that is one per cylinder you have. Without knowing where the bad coil was relocated to it would be hard to know. It will be one of the front three coils since the back three requires the intake manifold to be removed for access to the coils.

The Check Engine Light code P0351 relates to the PCM computer primary injector driver problem and burns out the coil driver for that coil.

The repair may require the replacement of all six coils and the engine control module (PCM). This problem is internal circuits of the PCM get burned out from the excessive coil resistance.

Once these components are replaced the PCM will need to be programmed to work with your key through the anti-thief module. The programming will need to be done by a Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer.

To avoid any unnecessary repairs, I would highly suggest having a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, come diagnose your Check Engine Light firsthand and service your ignition coils as necessary.