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Aftermarket coils?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by yeldogt, Jul 24, 2018.

  1. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    Wondering if anybody has used a set of aftermarket coils ... my experience with many Lexus vehicles has been they start to go mourned 200k. I only have experience with the V6 engines.

    I was thinking if I have to take off the wiper assembly for the EGR valve -- would replace the coils.

    For the Lexus vehicles we started to use the aftermarket w/o incident -- it's not like we need them to last as long.

    I'm seeing sets on e-bay for $50 bucks?
     
    #1 yeldogt, Jul 24, 2018
  2. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Denso aftermarket are the only aftermarket coils I would consider using.


    iPhone ? Pro
     
    #2 The Critic, Jul 24, 2018
    m.wynn likes this.
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Taking off the wipers and cowl is not that hard. Replacing functional OEM coils amounts to cargo cult, my 2 cents.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Jul 24, 2018
  4. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    For me it's about reliability and overall costs -- if I can replace a known item of failure on my own schedule at a reasonable cost I do it. The vast majority of replacement parts are coming from China -- all the Asian OE have factories there .. the aftermarket price has really dropped. The OE are close to $100 and the big box around $60 each

    At 212k they have done a lot of sparking -- my independent will charge me about 1/2 hour tacked on to the other job to replace w/ plugs. So i'm looking at about $150 for coils and plugs ... the sets are really cheap
     
    #4 yeldogt, Jul 24, 2018
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    #5 Mendel Leisk, Jul 24, 2018
  6. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    I would not do them based on $80 each -- it's now a $400 plus fix .. w/o the spark plugs. That's why I was wondering about the aftermarket coils. How many have tried them and what issues. One would not want to change out old coils to new ones with problems. With 212k .. I'm looking for another year or so with this car. It's been so reliable.
     
    #6 yeldogt, Jul 25, 2018
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Especially if you're only having the car for a year or so more, I wouldn't. How can you call it a "fix" lol: there's no problem.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Jul 25, 2018
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  8. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    If it ain't broke ---- --- --.:)

    You could take that one step further, those wheel bearing go out and the struts could go bad and what about that fan belt and all those hoses.

    I have time changed things on cars and had the new parts fail, it's hard to beat OEM reliability.
     
    #8 padroo, Jul 25, 2018
  9. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    Typically a bad bearing or strut will give some warning -- a failed coil will disable the car. And yes, I get that the wiper is not all that difficult ... but my guess the coil will go in the middle of the winter and I will have to have my mechanic do it. Pay for all the same labor and only get one coil out of it .. for more than the cheap sets available if I order up and have on hand.

    If I want to do myself -- the car is disabled for all the time I have to wait for the coils to come in. I'm surprised no one has chimed in about buying them
     
    #9 yeldogt, Jul 25, 2018
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    One infamous failure prediction:

    HAL 9000: I've just picked up a fault in the AE35 unit. It's going to go 100% failure in 72 hours.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Jul 25, 2018
  11. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    But if you will loose sleep over it it's your car, peace of mind does matter.
     
    #11 padroo, Jul 25, 2018
  12. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I have not read that many posts about the coils going out. I believe you are letting fear make your decisions for you.
    I am very happy with Toyota parts for my Prius. The price is pretty much the same and aftermarket parts. With a few exceptions. I care more about reliability and and fuel mileage. If I want MORE power or speed I would have bought a BMW or Motorcycle! :)
     
    #12 ASRDogman, Jul 25, 2018
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