Car Trouble, Need Advice

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by saden1

The car once again started exhibiting the same problems (choking and engine light is on) and I took it back to the dealer. They said the #3 Engine Coil needs to be replaced. WTF does that mean and is that normal for an 8 yo car with 100K miles. They also told me that if they fix this coil and it happens again I might as well replace all the coils at $150 per coil (i think there are 5 coils).

Are these SOBs gasing me?

They're right on the coil packs needing replaced around that mileage, but they're bending you over on that price.


Go to RockAuto Auto Parts and get the parts there. They beat ANYONE'S prices and service is great.

Coil packs are very easy to change on most cars, you should be able to handle it yourself. Usually accessible right on top of the engine. Follow the spark plug wires to the end not connected to the engine block...the part they connect to on the other end are the coil packs.

Disconnect the batter and the plug wires. The coil packs are usually only held on with a couple of screws or bolts. Just make sure you put the plug wires back on in the same locations, it makes a huge difference. Use some masking tape and mark them 1-4 or 1-6 if you're not completely confident in your memory.

Just change the faulty one...sometimes they last a long time, sometimes they don't. No reason to replace a functioning one.