Changing the Ignition Coils

[Mortville]

I was wondering if this was a job I could do myself. Does anyone hve a link to a "How To"? I am not experienced at all with tinkering with the engine, so it would have to be a pretty easy fix. I am just looking to save on the labor costs.

[noR]

Yep, it's pretty easy; shouldn't take anything other than a basic tool set (basic vw tool set I mean; that includes torx and hex bits). And they're right on top of the motor.

[noR]

Yours may look a little different, based on the engine code; but it's very much the same.

This is what it looks like under the engine cover. You can see the Coils right there; for my APH, it's that black square that looks like it has putty filling it.

You'll have to loosen/release some vacuum lines, and move the vacuum resevoir; but it's pretty much right there on top. Depending on your milage (near a 40K increment?) you might want to change plugs while you're there. You'll need an extensions to get down far enough though probably.

So anyway, super easy, it's right there on top; DIY.

[speedie]

Careful removing some of the vac lines if you still have the braided hoses and metal clips...I broke a plastic nozzle on a sensor. $83 for new part.

[noR]

Good point. If you've got old lines or braided lines, I'd recommend using a razor blade to cut the hose lengthwise off the whatever it's connected to.

The plastic parts ARE brittle. good luck w/those crappy metal clips; I replaced mine w/zipties as I've removed them.

[Mortville]

Thanks for the help! Much appreciated!!!

[Kestas]

Take a picture of the area before taking things apart (or use noR's picture). This'll keep you from crossing wires or forgetting something.

[Mortville]

I am a bit nervous about this, but I need to save as much $$ on this as possible.

[Kestas]

I've been wrenching on cars for 35 years. I still get nervous doing work such as your task. That's why I recommended taking a picture. Go ahead and do it. It's all nuts and bolts. I don't think there's that many wires to mix up.

But it just dawned on me - How do you know the coils are bad? Are you getting a miss? I'd be inclined to change the wires and plugs first. It's cheaper.

[noR]

There are no wires Kestas. And our coils are known to kinda die out. :/ That's why I didn't question it, but it doesn't hurt to investigate.

[noR]

It's not too hard Mortville; work slow, an disconnect as little as possible.

For the big black vacuum resevoir, disconnect the vac lines at the front, undo the bolts holding the bracket down, and flip the whole thing upwards; leaving most of the vac lines intact if possible.

[speedie]

Not hard to do...you can do it!

Take your time, examine what you need to take off, be gentle on fragile parts with plastic, and label things with masking tape and a sharpie pen or take a picture.

[Mortville]

I had been having trouble with misfires and i took it in to a local shop that works on imports. They changed the #4 coil because it was completely dead. They also said that #2 showed a misfire code, but when they replaced #4 everthing was fine. It is their thought that #2 was misfiring because of having to make up for the fact that #4 was completely gone. I was just thinking of changing them all out if I can do it myself instead of waiting for them to go on their own.