dtjames 0 Posted September 14, 2003 1. I have recently had a new set of HT leads fitted to my VR6 to try and lose an "arching" that takes place. The problem is still there - any suggestions? (only happens when wet I think) 2. Occasionally (only twice in the last 6 months) the radiator feeder pipe comes clean out of its socket (bracket and all) has anyone else had to have this re-sealed or is it some other problem I should know about? Any help gratefully accepted - TIA Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joe M 0 Posted September 14, 2003 Where abouts can you see the arcing? If its where the leads plug into the coil pack then it could be the coil pack itself. :( There is a fix involving epoxy resin. Do a search for "epoxy" as im sure its been discussed before. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruno 4 Posted September 14, 2003 HT lead breakdown is a common problem. Run the engine until its hot, and wait until twilight. Open the bonnet and spray some water from a plant spray bottle over the leads and coil pack keeping a good 2 feet distance between the bottle and the engine. Its a sure way of finding the arcing point. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dtjames 0 Posted September 16, 2003 The arching takes place just where the HT lead plugs into the head (there looks to be a black plastic box that it plugs into). Can someone shed some light on what my problem is, and more importantly, how I should go about fixing it. BTW, my oil temp. went up to 108deg. today - is that ok (it did come down). Usually runs at 102deg or so - normal? TIA for your help :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dr_mat 0 Posted September 16, 2003 The arcing sounds like the coil-pack. Do the above-mentioned searches. Oil temp - forget it. Nothing unusual. The sun was shining today. :) Cheers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruno 4 Posted September 16, 2003 The arching takes place just where the HT lead plugs into the head (there looks to be a black plastic box that it plugs into) Its the coil pack. Search for the threads about it. Expect to spend between £180 and £300 depending on the source and version you get. You can fix it. And there is a thread about that as well..... http://www.gti-vr6.net/library/engine/f ... _pack.html Your choice. Most choose to replace the damn thing.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted September 17, 2003 German and Swedish and Euro car parts sell coilpacks for £117 + VAT. It's bloody disgraceful considering VW know they mess up regularly. Surely a sensitive electrical device bolted to the side of a cylinder that generates lots of vibration and heat is not particularly clever? Kev Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dr_mat 0 Posted September 17, 2003 They did it again. The new ones are worse. The 1.8T debacle and it's individual coil packs that are mounted actually directly above the spark plug? 100% failure rate. Now *that's* impressive. Well done VW. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted September 17, 2003 They did it again. The new ones are worse. The 1.8T debacle and it's individual coil packs that are mounted actually directly above the spark plug? 100% failure rate. Now *that's* impressive. Well done VW. At least 1.8T owners are entitled to free replacements :x I'm considering mounting my coilpack somewhere else and using longer leads. You can buy silicon copper wire wholsale and just take the factory ends apart and make up some longer leads. Did that before on a 16V successfully. The low tension leads are easily extendable. The coilpack is also right in the path of rain water coming through the radiator too. Fantastic bit of design! Kev Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dtjames 0 Posted September 19, 2003 ok - cheers - it's the coilpack. It has been sparking for a few months now - can I leave it 'till next month to fix? What harm would this cause? Is there loss of performance? Only when wet? Thank you for all your help and advice once again. BTW, I cannot find it in eurocarparts - I get to the Corrado VR6 2.9 section, but cannot find "coilpack" - where is it please? (Just to lose my paranoia - it is the box that mounts onto the side of the engine (as I look from the front) which the HT leads plug into?) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dazzyvr6 0 Posted September 19, 2003 yes thats it,you could try giving it a good soak in wd40 or any water repeling spray to give it a quick fix..not saying it will work just a early morning sugestion :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted September 19, 2003 BTW, I cannot find it in eurocarparts - I get to the Corrado VR6 2.9 section, but cannot find "coilpack" - where is it please? It's under Sharan VR6. £115+VAT. Their online system is cr#p. Just ring up and ask for one. German & Swedish show it on their website for £117+VAT Dealer price is £180+VAT Kev Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dr_mat 0 Posted September 19, 2003 I know. Mine was replaced two years ago as part of one monumental service for the previous owner. £1335... No wonder he sold it!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dtjames 0 Posted September 19, 2003 Am I ok to leave this fix for a month or so? Does it really affect me whilst it is still relatively dry weather here? How long would it take to fit the part if I bought it myself and had a fitter fit it for me? (he is fairly experienced) What harm would this cause? Is there loss of performance? Only when wet? Thank you for all your help and advice once again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted September 21, 2003 Have a spark problem on mine too. VR6 2.9 94 working nights and was givin the car the once over, checkin this and that when i noticed that ht's were sparkin down inside the engine block, :? checked ht's to make sure they were fiited to plugs ok but can still see sparkin from metal sproud of ht plug end across to block. ask my mate who i got car from how old the leads were and turned out they were only a few months old.??? ht's are 'champion' make, silicon rubber........ coils are fine. New set of ht leads? if some were best to go shopping?? any help would be great. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vr6storm 0 Posted September 21, 2003 Have a spark problem on mine too. VR6 2.9 94 working nights and was givin the car the once over, checkin this and that when i noticed that ht's were sparkin down inside the engine block, :? checked ht's to make sure they were fiited to plugs ok but can still see sparkin from metal sproud of ht plug end across to block. ask my mate who i got car from how old the leads were and turned out they were only a few months old.??? ht's are 'champion' make, silicon rubber........ coils are fine. New set of ht leads? if some were best to go shopping?? any help would be great. :) i've just bought a set from my local VW-dealer for under £60......they come under the quantum brand tho Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted September 22, 2003 Am I ok to leave this fix for a month or so? Does it really affect me whilst it is still relatively dry weather here? How long would it take to fit the part if I bought it myself and had a fitter fit it for me? (he is fairly experienced) What harm would this cause? Is there loss of performance? Only when wet? Thank you for all your help and advice once again. Personally speaking, no not really if it's misfiring badly. Unburnt fuel sent in the exhaust will melt the catalyst. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted September 22, 2003 Have a spark problem on mine too. VR6 2.9 94 working nights and was givin the car the once over, checkin this and that when i noticed that ht's were sparkin down inside the engine block, :? checked ht's to make sure they were fiited to plugs ok but can still see sparkin from metal sproud of ht plug end across to block. ask my mate who i got car from how old the leads were and turned out they were only a few months old.??? ht's are 'champion' make, silicon rubber........ coils are fine. New set of ht leads? if some were best to go shopping?? any help would be great. :) i've just bought a set from my local VW-dealer for under £60......they come under the quantum brand tho If the metal ends have Beru stamped on them, then they are original equipment and top quality. Kev Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dtjames 0 Posted September 22, 2003 All the advice I get from VW specialist garages is that the problem is going to be the leads and NOT the coil. How right are they? - I do not want to change the leads only to have to do the coil too ! - expensive ! They say that unless GOOD QUALITY leads were installed, the chances are it is still them that are causing the fault. Can I just change the 1 lead (nearest to me from the front of the engine bay, on the top - where does this damn lead go)? Is it a major job for someone who doesn't really know what he's doing or should I pay a professional? The car is not misfiring badly, in fact, it is perfoming VERY well (205+bhp), and the spark DOES go away when I spray a little WD40 on it - any help for you experts? Leads OR Coil? Thanks for your help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted September 23, 2003 You can test the leads with a multimeter. Each should read 6Kohms but as I've found out, this doesn't always prove the lead is OK when the engine gets hot. The best leads use double layers of good quality silicon with multistrand tinned copper wire inside. The original VW ones are pretty good but fail eventually. I recommend Blue Igniters from C&R Enterprises. They come with a lifetime warranty, which proves the company's confidence in their product. They're also guaranteed at temps up to 300 degrees C. I've had a couple of sets of them over they years and nothing comes close to the quality at that price. Expensive leads won't help if they're not being fed a decent current from the coil. You've already mentioned you get a firework display when you spray the coil pack (see picture in thread entitled "Running on 5") so it can only be that. Also note Bruno's comments about Beru coilpacks. Kev Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruno 4 Posted September 23, 2003 Am I ok to leave this fix for a month or so? Two months of unburnt fuel from one cylinder landing on the cat is all it takes to wreck your catalytic converter and make it brittle. Without this they last upto 200,000 miles. With this damage they can go within 70000-10000 miles, usually within 30,000 of the damage. They cost silly money (£500-600). You wont regret it if you can replace the coilpack now. I recommend Blue Igniters from C&R Enterprises. They come with a lifetime warranty, which proves the company's confidence in their product. They're also guaranteed at temps up to 300 degrees C. I've had a couple of sets of them over they years and nothing comes close to the quality at that price. You've just helped me make up my mind about the leads Kev. I'm buying a new set. Now has anybody got a spare plug lead remover? Mine's been stolen by my stealers who wont admit it! :evil: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted September 23, 2003 Bruno, I'll see if my VR6 set comes with a tool (they arrive tomorrow) because the 16V Blue igniter set comes with 4 x lead removing tools, so you never know! I wouldn't normally endorse this but when the engine is hot, if you pull gently on the wires, they come out OK. Don't try that when the engine is cold though otherwise the wire will just pull out of the plug :? Then you can push the leads back on with a long screwdriver, pressing on the metal bit. I think the OE plastic remover is only a few quid though? Kev Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vr6storm 0 Posted September 23, 2003 You've just helped me make up my mind about the leads Kev. I'm buying a new set. Now has anybody got a spare plug lead remover? Mine's been stolen by my stealers who wont admit it! :evil: Bruno mate,get along to your dealers and buy the Hazet tool,although its a bit dear at £15-ish+vat its a whole lot easier to use than the original Plastic plug-lead tool and you'll get the leads out and back in with the minimum of fuss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
