The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Coil corrosion

Recently changed my plugs and wires

The coil had corrosion like you would see on a battery terminal

...coil picture...

...coil wire picture...

Plugs and wires have 13,000 miles

It's a pertronix flame thrower coil.

Just curious it this is common or indicating a problem with the ignition system.

I did leave the ignition on a few months ago for about an hour by mistake.

I changed the coil to be on the safe side.
Thanks

What you are probably seeing is a negative build up due to the coil wire not being seated in the coil terminal. Often when the wire is installed the boot traps air and then pushes it back out(inserting a small screwdriver alongside the wire and releasing the air is always a good idea). Once cleaned up the coil is probably fine. Scott

Thanks

Ill start installing them using that method

Add a little humidity and electricity and...yeah that stuff happens. Nice trick from wanderinwillys. I will remember that one. A little wire brush will clean it up just fine. Don't see it a lot cause it is dry in Utah. Bet the Bolters in the North West see it.

I've never seen it and we are very humid here in Virginia. You say that is caused by the boot pulling the connector back out of the coil socket and creating an air gap? I can see that happening, I used to put a dab of silicon on the sparkplug boot before sticking them on and I'd find plugs wires laying off and decided that pressure builtup inside the boot gasketed by the silicon and pushed the boot off. Similar situation. I now put the dab of silicon on the end of the sparkplug and the boots stay in place.

easiest: roll the boot back, insert the wire properly, making sure the metal tip is spread enough to 'click in' solid, roll the boot back down

Bill

I think it's probably OK to burp your boots, but "loose" connection causing that?. Never seen that before, not a lot of moisture in Nevada? Pretty warm under that hood, aye? I'm saying galvanic corrosion/dis-similar metals. No other issues at the dizzy? With that wire set/boots? means the material used on that coil socket could be wrong/plating came off. Just a guess like. Must of had a good connection having run all this time and being corroded to "boot". You don't spray wash/power wash engine a lot do you? Upside down coil mounting is not good either for penetration. Those boots are made to be upright otherwise they are a perfect "cup". (not the case with yours). Everybody is now going to go check theirs

Low humidity area,

I have not washed the truck ...ever
I did hose out the bed the other day after a few trips to the dump.

The corision was only on the coil and top coil wire, plugs and boots were fine.

On my trip to California in December I had a small incident where the truck wouldn't fire up after I stopped for gas on the way back home.

The other day I went to pick up some furniture at a ware house. The truck didn't fire after I loaded it. Both occasions I pulled the cap and adjusted the rotor by pulling the tab up and she fired right up.

That's why I decided to put new plugs and wires.

It seem like that corrosion may have been the problem all along.

I have driven in the rain a few times.

Yes . It is something to add to the check list.

Thanks

Bartamos, It is extremely dry in Nevada. I have seen and dealt with this many times, it can happen on either end of the wire, and not due to moisture but from arcing. Dissimalar metals can cause corrosion too, but what about the other wires and terminals? Anything is possible, best to cover all the bases, and yes dielectric grease is always a good idea. Scott

Willy, I live in AZ, been to Nevada many times. I know it's dry. That's why I question (to myself) the moisture cause. Living in the same type climate and having a lot of vehicles in my life here, I have never seen it. Only on batteries, but that's a different story. I'm sure I've had loose connections here and there. I ruled out moisture/salt air/acid. Knowing/asking about the other wire/boots, as I did, is the reason I said the coil socket. If it is the only place with corrosion, there may be something peculiar about that location/materials (in my mind). I don't dispute your experience.