Ignition coil stuck

SolamenteRico · 04-29-2024, 07:50 PM

Ran into my first real issue working on this car (2008 3.0si auto) 61k miles on the clock, went to change spark plugs but the ignition coils are stuck. I can lift the top to remove the connector fine but I cannot pull the coil off the spark plug. Tried twisting and turning a bit but it won't budge. Worried about breaking something real expensive. So three questions...

Any tips how to remove them?

How do I prevent this in the future?

Should I get new ignition coils now and just replace those as well?

pungo · 04-29-2024, 08:18 PM

They make a few different types of tools to ease the removal, though I've always been able to pull them without the special tool.
Put dielectric grease on the boots so they don't get stuck, this has been SOP for many decades.
I don't replace them unless there are missfires, I've seen original coils with over 200k miles on them and are still going strong.

SolamenteRico · 04-29-2024, 09:01 PM

Thanks pungo!

Well I got brave, put a screwdriver between the hole and gently pulled up. Popped out just fine. Noticed a lot of white "powder" in the coil on every single one, normal?

View post on imgur.com

04-29-2024, 07:50 PM	#1
SolamenteRico New Member 3 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2008 3.0si Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Ignition coil stuck Ran into my first real issue working on this car (2008 3.0si auto) 61k miles on the clock, went to change spark plugs but the ignition coils are stuck. I can lift the top to remove the connector fine but I cannot pull the coil off the spark plug. Tried twisting and turning a bit but it won't budge. Worried about breaking something real expensive. So three questions... Any tips how to remove them? How do I prevent this in the future? Should I get new ignition coils now and just replace those as well?
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04-29-2024, 08:18 PM	#2
pungo Colonel 886 Rep 2,555 Posts Drives: Z4MC-X3-35i-525i, Corrado G60 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 x35i [0.00] 2001 BMW 525i [0.00] 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [8.76]	They make a few different types of tools to ease the removal, though I've always been able to pull them without the special tool. Put dielectric grease on the boots so they don't get stuck, this has been SOP for many decades. I don't replace them unless there are missfires, I've seen original coils with over 200k miles on them and are still going strong. Last edited by pungo; 04-29-2024 at 10:34 PM..
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04-29-2024, 09:01 PM	#3
SolamenteRico New Member 3 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2008 3.0si Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Thanks pungo! Well I got brave, put a screwdriver between the hole and gently pulled up. Popped out just fine. Noticed a lot of white "powder" in the coil on every single one, normal? View post on imgur.com
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