Coil Pack Water Ingress

[Bucket]

Hi Guys,

Sorry for signing up and posting straight away but have question I could do with answering.

Car has been running rough sporadically for the last month and after a talk with a friendly local mechanic I decided I would change the coil packs.

The first two were swapped fine.

On removing the third the rubber seal was so perished came off in my fingers.

On removing the fourth there was no visible rubber seal.

I have now swapped all four and it runs fine as far as I can tell (will really be able to tell over the next week or so) but my question is, should I go back and make sure the rubber seal has not fallen in the hole where the coil pack goes? Should I have sprayed in some WD40? What is down there?

Thanks

[Bucket]

I got home where I had a torch and some long nose pliers so I took it back off again to have a look.

It seems the coil pack fits on top of the spark plug (I'm better suited to IT than engines)

I found the previous seal which was stuck to the rim of the cavity. I removed it and reseated the coil pack.

Water must certainly have been getting through before so hopefully my problems are fixed now, if not, I learnt something new and moved one step closer to justifying the Civic Type-R I want.

[xjscharlie]

Hello,
The Q is where is the water ingress coming from? I had a similar prob lately and the water was visible and had led to plug failure. You should take the coils out and examine the sleeves for severe corrosion or splits. Would be interested to hear what you find...Charlie.

[Bucket]

Thanks Charlie,

I think my problem was a water ingress causing shorts.

I fitted the new coil packs today and it worked fine, then it was lumpy, then it was misfiring and the engine light came on.

I think the water which was sat around the very base of the spark plugs was the issue and as the car was moving/the water heating up it was causing shorts.

I took the coil packs back out, stuffed paper towels down to get as much water out as possible and refitted. Seems to work fine.

When I have a bit more time I'll warm the engine up then take out the 2 damp cylinders and let any moisture that is left evaporate.

Hopefully that will then be the end of it.

[xjscharlie]

You are correct about the accumulation of water causing the short/misfire. If the prob re-occurs you will have to address the ingress prob. If yr lucky it wont but come back if it does...Charlie.