Are the coils packs the cause of the misfiring?

[Mark2010 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mark2010]

Recently had a major service done on my 90 series 1999 Prado Grande at a cost of $800 by a supposedly 4x4 service centre which specialises in Toyotas? After looking at the bill in was nothing more than a general servcie and was shocked at the bill.....anyway, one of the faults it went in with was a progressively bad engine misfiring. I was informed that 2 of the three coils pack were on there way out and needed replacing. After a $800 service bill I was kind of shocked they wanted another $500 to fix it again! Several days after the service the car went back to misfiring and was told by the repairer that new replacment coil packs were $170 each plus $200 labour. After falling out of my tree at the price I rang a Toyota dealer here in the Hunter Valley and was quoted $190 each and I asked about labour to install them and was told "They are easy to put in and only are held in by a bolt and I could do it myself"?
So I am lost..........firstly $200 labour for approx 15 minutes work is just a rip off. Secondly are the coils packs failing or is it something else. The misfiring was intermitant and is not present at speeds of over 80kms. Fuel consumption obviously is a shocker but with the misfiring is expected........so is it my coil packs or something esle. Any help will be greatly appreciated :-) Thx Mark

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

Re: Are the coils packs the cause of the misfiring?

hey mark welcome to pp, im no mechanic but it could be 1 of 3 things as you say faulty coilpack, plugs or leads, if im rong a few of the mechanics on here will correct me, if you r after a decent mechanic in newcastle pm me and i will tell ya where i go, im also a novacastrian. cheers samo

[Mark2010 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mark2010]

Re: Are the coils packs the cause of the misfiring?

samo, many thanks for the reply. I can rule out the plugs as they were supposedly changed at the service. And if I get the coil packs replaced I'll also do the leads. And yes I would like the details for a real mechanic. I am sick of being ripped off and would just like someone honest to look after my Prado. Thanks once again for your reply :-) Mark

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Re: Are the coils packs the cause of the misfiring?

Is it on gas ?

[Mark2010 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mark2010]

Re: Are the coils packs the cause of the misfiring?

fishfinder, no it's not running gas thanks! It is pointing to the coil packs unfortunatley and someone told me that it's rare for them to fail and they SHOULd last the age of the car.....just my luck eh? I have been put onto a fair dinkum mechanic today so hopefully they can give me the drum? Thanks

[PradOz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradOz]

Re: Are the coils packs the cause of the misfiring?

Hi Mark

Interesting the question to you "is it on gas" and your answer to be "no". I had same issue but mine was on gas. I replaced my plugs and leads together only 6500 kms beforehand when i had problem again back then. My LPG mechanic simply quotes "replace plugs and leads, if that doesnt work replace coil packs" Well i wasnt happy to keep replacing these and to try a fix with the coil packs because of the price and i wanted to know whats wrong.

So i googled and came up with responses to contact a company Ice Ignitions in Melbourne for correct plugs and leads to suit LPG on petrol Prado. They immediately asked what i had fitted now and said to replace them and i wont have another worry based on their personal experience as well as their business experience. He (Michael) also said to forget changing the coil packs until the correct plugs and leads were in. Also said leads should last me 200,000kms so that should eliminate any problems with them for a while. So i ordered new Ice Ignition leads and plugs over the phone about 4.30pm Friday and received them by courier Monday morning about 10AM. Hows that for prompt service (and was cheaper even with courier than what my mechanic charges). So far it has fixed my problem, but as yours is straight petrol I am not sure if you have problem with leads now (seeing plugs were changed - hopefully they are right ones)

Coil packs are easy to change after watching my mechanic work on my car with new plugs, leads etc. Would do them myself except I needed it on LPG analyser. Simply undo bolt and remove as you said.

My only issue is the noise i get on AM radio going to these plugs so guess I have to try fix that next. How many kms your Prado done? Mine is just under 150,000kms.

OH - also when i got my problem my air box blew up (twice!) because of backfire problem. Simplyremoved it and welded it up using a soldering iron. With your engine running put your hands under the air box and see if its sealed as it should be or if its blown the bottom out on one or more sides. I pushed mine back together by hand and the change to engine on idle was obvious what my problem was

Best of luck with yours - be interested in what your problem is, cheers....

[humphrey Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close humphrey]

Re: Are the coils packs the cause of the misfiring?

Try a wrecker for the coils. I haven't heard to many problems with coils, so I'd be surprised if you scored a flogged out set second hand. Would be cheaper as well.

I also agree with ICE ignition leads. Them and new plugs solved my LPG back fire issues.

[PradOz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradOz]

Re: Are the coils packs the cause of the misfiring?

Hi Brett

After you installed Ice Ignition leads and plugs did you get engine noise on your radio mainly on AM? If so what did you do about it? cheers mick