Do I need a new coil?

[boater2065]

Hi all,

I am at the boat replacing all my ignition wires. I got to the coil, pulled off the wire and this came out (see photo). Uh oh, that can't be good. Can anyone with knowledge help me out, I'm assuming I need a new coil?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[boater2065]

Or...maybe I purchased the wrong replacement cables? My ignition coil cable doesn't have a protruding piece of metal like this does, and like the box shows. Hmm

 

[boater2065]

After some quick research it appears they sent me the wrong product number. Crisis averted, but annoying.

 

[JHornsby3]

Hi all,

I am at the boat replacing all my ignition wires. I got to the coil, pulled off the wire and this came out (see photo). Uh oh, that can't be good. Can anyone with knowledge help me out, I'm assuming I need a new coil?

Thanks,
Jeff

That is the end of the wire. They should all look like that if you slide the boot back.

Unless you have a diesel. Then the spark plugs look different.

 

[boater2065]

@JHornsby3 Thanks for the info. First time replacing these, and the replacement i received didn't have that end on the coil wire, so i was really confused when that came out.

I have found the correct wires needed and will give it another shot when they arrive.

 

[JHornsby3]

All of the wires should have an end like that. Unless it's like an old motorcycle where they screw down. I actually like to pull the boots and put a dab of high temp dielectric grease on the ends. Helps to keep the boot from adhering to the end of the plug.

 

[Nater Potater]

@JHornsby3 brought up a good point about the dielectric grease. I bought a tube of Dow Corning High Vacuum Grease about thirty years ago, and I'm still using it on all electrical connections. It's waterproof and gasoline proof, so it works well on things like petcocks. It's not the cheapest stuff in the world, but that tube will last you a long time.

 

[JHornsby3]

Superlube in the gray tube from harbor freight. High temp. Used it to lube rocket motors to keep clean up of combustion chamber of burnt liners. Use it on everything. Keeps electrical connections free of moisture. Also great to keep the calcium chloride used in deicer from attacking electrical connections and from running up the wire and corroding. I dont know the price but buy several tubes a year.

 

[boater2065]

All of the wires should have an end like that. Unless it's like an old motorcycle where they screw down. I actually like to pull the boots and put a dab of high temp dielectric grease on the ends. Helps to keep the boot from adhering to the end of the plug.

Huh, guess i'm confused. All of my wires have a boot that connects to a spark plug, and on the other end a similar boot that connects to the top of the distributor. The only one that is different is the boot that connects to the coil, which has a wider boot with the protruding metal end (male if you will) that slips into the top of the coil. Regarding the grease, the wires i bought came with a dab of grease in each boot. Since i'm sending those back, i'm hoping the new wires will have the same. If they do not i will definitely purchase a tube of it and apply.

 

[Nater Potater]

Huh, guess i'm confused.

Nope; you got it right.

 

[JHornsby3]

Yup! If you look at that plug sticking out of the boot. It has that cylinder on it that the wire is attached to. A spark plug tip will fit inside of it. And it will slide into the contact on the cap touching the outside of the cylinder. Been like that for many many years.