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Ignition coil repair/restore?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by dantm, Sep 8, 2015.

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  1. dantm

    dantm Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    1,103
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    Dan B.
    #1 dantm, Sep 8, 2015
    So I have two old ignition coils and I went to polish them and get them ready for plating. While doing so and given the fact that they had rust and they were pitted, one of them sprung a tiny pinhole leak. I barely lost any oil so the question is -- how are these typically restored or are they restored at all?

    They are Marellis as appropriate for vintage F- and L-cars.

    Thank you.
     
  2. Mantinger

    Mantinger Karting

    Jul 30, 2004
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    Netherlands, Drenthe
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    #2 Mantinger, Sep 13, 2015
    Never heard of restoring coils. They are sealed for the lifespan they have.
    They lose their internal resistance over time due to breakdown of insulation.
    You can make them shine, put their electrical performance will still be less than new.
    If oil gets out, less cooling capacity. End of story.
    Normally they can last for twenty or more years. Just replace them and go for another twenty years.
     
  3. smg2

    smg2 F1 World Champ
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    #3 smg2, Sep 13, 2015
    Just a heads up, the oil may be PCB, not something you want to touch or have leaking anywhere. The stuff was banned in the US back in 1979. But was widely used up to the that time in transformers, HV capacitors, etc..

    Re-furbing a HV ignition coil is not common, and in some cases not advisable due to the risk of there being PCB oil in it. The oil is used as a coolant and also due to it's properties of not being conductive it helps in being able to get more voltage to the plug vs 'breakdown' due to internal shorts and coronal loss. Over time the internal windings and oil of an ignition coil breakdown and the coil fails. Suggestion is to buy a new one.
     
  4. dantm

    dantm Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
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    Dan B.
    #4 dantm, Sep 13, 2015
    Yes sure thanks guys of course I would replace it but how do you find a new Marelli BRZ vintage coil?
     
  5. porphy

    porphy Formula 3
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    Randall Gatz
    #5 porphy, Sep 27, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2015
  6. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

    May 18, 2004
    10,406
    #6 finnerty, Sep 28, 2015
    Coils can be re-wound, oil can be replenished, cases can be repaired.... but that is a spendy proposition. Perhaps, it's worth it (maybe $1K per unit) for a concours level restoration on a classic Ferrari V12 worth $1M + ??? IDK
     
  7. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    #7 BigTex, Sep 28, 2015
    I bought an epoxy potted unit fro MSD, High Vibration, horizontal mounting OK, and wrapped it with 3" wide black tape!

    Seriously....

    It's also an industry standard to never tilt an oil filled coil....
    Ferrari missed the Memo.....
     
  8. synchro

    synchro F1 Veteran

    Feb 14, 2005
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    #8 synchro, Sep 28, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  9. Albert Gutierrez

    Albert Gutierrez Rookie

    Nov 27, 2018
    1
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    Albert
    #9 Albert Gutierrez, Nov 27, 2018
    Dose anyone know who restores duel coil on a 1933 /34 Packard
     

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