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Weather proofing engine bay electrics


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Following on from my recent coil pack failure, I was wondering if there are any preventative measures I can take.

As my current ignition set up has the coil pack sitting high and close to the engine grill, its open to all the elements, so can I weatherproof it in anyway?

I remember back in the day (30 years ago!) we would spray something on to the distribution caps (particular for minis) to provide some water protection.

Is there anything similar available today?

Additionally, when I wash the car I may try and cover the coil pack to limit direct water access to it.

 

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Just now, Ian Comerford said:

Is it possible to move the coil pack anywhere less exposed?

I'll have a look, but its a hefty piece of kit, comes form the Vauxhall Omega V6 model

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31 minutes ago, Beaky said:

I'll have a look, but its a hefty piece of kit, comes form the Vauxhall Omega V6 model

I’ve seen them mounted in several different places, most of them less exposed than where yours is.  All you might need is slightly longer cables

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1 hour ago, Ian Comerford said:

I’ve seen them mounted in several different places, most of them less exposed than where yours is.  All you might need is slightly longer cables

Sounds like a plan 🙂

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In my day 🤣, we put a rubber glove over the dissipe & coil

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1 hour ago, Ian Comerford said:

I have to disagree, moving it is perfect. 

It was said in jest, I’ll will not be driving around with a condom stretched over my coil😳

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19 hours ago, Beaky said:

Additionally, when I wash the car I may try and cover the coil pack to limit direct water access to it.

When I wash the escort, I pop the bonnet and put an old towel over the engine to stop it getting soaked through the vents.  Perhaps do a similar thing? Just remember to remove towel before starting her up!!

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My coil pack is right at the back of the bay dead centre between the strut mounts. I did make a bracket for it to sit on but it makes everything nice and symmetrical if you care about that sort of thing. 

I still have a can of "damp start" on the shelf in my garage from way back when. That's the spray on sealer stuff.

Gratuitous engine bay pic :D

IMG_20190211_121101.jpg

Edited by Phill
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Nice looking engine bay there Phil.

Mine is on the left hand side of the engine bay and about 6 inches lower, 

IMG_4611.jpg

 

 

Edited by Beaky
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Ever so slightly off topic but I just used pieces of plastic cut from 5 litre jugs and cable tied them to the underside of the grill to keep rainwater from landing directly on the foam air filters.

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2 hours ago, sopor said:

Ever so slightly off topic but I just used pieces of plastic cut from 5 litre jugs and cable tied them to the underside of the grill to keep rainwater from landing directly on the foam air filters.

That could be another solution, use some kind of fine net to allow air in but hold most of the water out 

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In your case I would be more inclined to put a rain hat over the coil pack to protect it. Mind you the fuses on the left don't suffer and they are more exposed than the coil pack? Was it water damage to the pack that caused the issue?

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This picture was taken with the plastic cover for the left hand fuses and relays taken off.

I don’t know what caused the failure as the Coil Pack is a sealed unit. So assume it could be water penetration or it was just one of those things.

 

 

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21 minutes ago, Beaky said:

This picture was taken with the plastic cover for the left hand fuses and relays taken off.

I don’t know what caused the failure as the Coil Pack is a sealed unit. So assume it could be water penetration or it was just one of those things.

 

 

I'm going to suggest it was one of those things. I'm not so sure water gets in that far back. But isn't it great that the coil pack can be replaced, off the shelf, cheaply and quickly. Part of the reason I did mine.

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