I know I'm resurrecting a kind of dead thread, but have any of you changed the ignition coils? Any guidance on what mileage to change the coils?

I remember on an older GM car I had in high school that it got to a certain mileage and started losing power. Changed the plugs and it still felt like it was a cylinder down. Changed coil packs and it was back to running like the day I purchased it (used, of course).

 

Since the advent of "pointless" ignition and unleaded fuel, plug life has increased dramatically. My 1995 Camry is on its 4th set of plugs, at 450,000 km/ 280,000 miles — and the old ones don't show any wear when they come out. In my 1966 Mustang days, the gaps and electrodes showed significant wear in a year's driving.

For me, I'll leave well-enough alone on my HHR. Plug boots can tear or the plugs can strip a thread — and then where are you? Regular oil changes: absolutely. Plugs: meh.

When I DO change the plugs, I'll pay the extra bucks for top-end platinum or iridium.

 

If they ain't broke, do nothing.

 

barstewart quote= "For me, I'll leave well-enough alone on my HHR. Plug boots can tear or the plugs can strip a thread — and then where are you? Regular oil changes: absolutely. Plugs: meh.
When I DO change the plugs, I'll pay the extra bucks for top-end platinum or iridium."


Best to stay with the stock AC Delco iridium's when you change them.
It has been discussed numerous times on this forum, that these cars do not like plugs other than the stock ones. Misfire detection, poor mileage, etc. are just some of the problems that were brought up. Stick with the stock type.

 

I have a cousin who has an 02 Saturn View with 150,000 miles (2.4L manual). He started having "performance" issues. He changed the plugs, no effect. He ( He's cheap) found a used coil pack (60,000 miles) and that made all the difference. I've change the plugs in my HHR at 60,000 mile intervals. The old plugs still looked good.

 

i just picked up some plugs for me to swap since ill be getting a tune done and im almost at the mileage for me to change them anyway so might as well do it...is there a specific torque setting? or just tighten till snug?

 

I'm sure there is a spec, but I don't feel like looking for it. Don't try to gap the new plugs, they really are gapped correctly in the factory.

 

2006, 2.2, replaced with AC Delco #41-105 iridium ..41.981 were in it, mileage has dropped about 2/3 mpg, also the #41-103 was mentioned earlier. I'm confused about the different #s, should I go to dealer, and get #41-981? Can anyone explain the # difference?
2006 LT, 2.2 w/ 65,000 mi.

Thanks, Bill

 

scbill,

I'll take a stab as I've noticed a few things while replacing parts on my HHR over the years AND having grown up in a GM family.

GM changes the parts over time either due to the maker of the part finding an improvement or some design flaw fix or something. Sometimes this warrants a part number change, sometimes it doesn't.

And keep in mind that GM has gone through a bankruptcy since the HHR's introduction. That may have affected the part number as well.

A final thought is that the #41-981 could be a GM way of telling which part/plugs were in the car when it left the factory. Might be a way for Chevy mechanics to know what service to recommend at a dealership?

Again, all speculation on my part. But I bet ChevyMgr might know the answer.