Replacing coil pack as preventative maintenance?

[Sweersa]

I have a 2005 Ford Explorer 4x4 XLT. No maintenance records except everything I have done in the year+ I have owned it.

I have no idea when/if the plugs and wires have even been done, so I plan on replacing these with Motorcraft OEM plugs and wires soon. Should I also replace the coil pack? They are not too expensive, and it looks like a simple remove and replace job.

Every once in a while, my truck will fail to start the first time I try to turn it over. Sometimes it is after it has been raining for a while. I'll let it settle for a few seconds after it won't start, then it usually starts up after that, sometimes it's more difficult to start than other time. I'm hoping new plugs and wires can help out with this uncommonly experienced issue, and perhaps a new Motorcraft fuel filter too since I don't know when/if that's been done.

Thanks!

 

[Mr. Alligator]

Maintenance?

Sweersa,

My opinion...

Coil is NOT maintenance, and would not replace it unless it has failed. My 97 still has original coil...

Plugs and wires, however, are a maintenance item. Get those!

Fuel filter is also maintenance. Get that too.

Hopefully one of those maintenance items will resolve your issue. Is your engine throwing any codes? Good Luck.

Mr. Alligator

 

[Sweersa]

Thank you for the advice, Mr. Alligator!

I'll leave the coils alone.

Will for sure get the wires, plugs, and fuel filter replaced, hopefully before the winter.

No codes at all, engine runs really well considering it has over 184,000 miles. I'm hoping to get to 250,000 before the timing chain causes it to kaboom. Change oil every 3-4k.

 

[mountaineer2004]

My MM has 130k, and 2 coils recently failed, both within a month of each other. So I decided to replace them all myself (with OEM), real easy job. I kept the old (good) ones, and put one in the back of the truck for any future failures.

 

[Packerjh]

Hey guys...I suspect one of my coils is failing. How can I tell which one is failing? Is it best to replace all 8 (4.6L) or OK to do the faulty one(s)?

 

[Number4]

Hey guys...I suspect one of my coils is failing. How can I tell which one is failing? Is it best to replace all 8 (4.6L) or OK to do the faulty one(s)?

If it's failing, you'll get a misfire code. The code will be specific to a cylinder if you have a coil failing.

 

[Packerjh]

Ok...so I don't have any CEL yet but when accelerating or pulling up hill I get a bit of a miss...a mechanic friend said that he'd start with the coil packs...will have to scan codes to see if something comes up....