ignition coil

16 years ago

Was parting out one LB 10301 to use better parts for another 301 mainly the coil, since the other was missing due to having a faulty one. Sure enough after I bolted this one on, it was bad too. No spark at all. So after a disgusted afternoon yesterday, I cleaned up and ordered a new coil online this morning. It then hit me about the past topic discussing using heat on them. I thought, why not try it at least. After 2 rounds of heating the steel laminates with a butane pencil torch, I let it cool down and threw it back on and whaddaya know?! We have ignition! Unbelieveable how that works!! I wonder what is really taking place inside? Does moisture creep in the edges of the epoxy past the laminates to create a dead short? Is this welding some of the fine copper wires that may have separated causing an open circuit? Strange, but it worked out for me too this time. How long might this be expected to last before it gives out again? Who out there did this and is still in service? It's not a big hassle obviously to replace, but will run this one and keep the new one ordered for a backup. I did however reseal the edges around the laminates with a super thin bead of RTV since I couldn't locate my epoxy. Great tip indy492! Thanks.

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Comments (14)

rdaystrom
16 years ago
That's interesting. I can't wait till that scenario happens and I can try it. No wait a minute. I hope that doesn't happen to me. What am I saying? But really...the fix is interesting and makes you wonder whats going on in the ignition unit when the heat is applied.
williaea
16 years ago
I did that on a LB 10301 also - twice. I haven't had any luck getting it to last however. I have not yet tried sealing it up with sealant however. When you just heat the coil up and then install it will work for a little while, but I've never gotten it to start the next time I needed the mower. I broke down and bought a new coil! :-( Let me know how the sealant works and if it work well let me know what you did! I have 3 non-working coils sitting on my shed floor!

Eric
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indy452
16 years ago
Try baking it in a low heat (200 degree) oven for an hour or so. Ive also got a Toro with two stroke Suzuki that won't have spark after sitting overnight sometimes, I set it in the sun for an hour and it always starts. It must be a heat thing. CD packs for Toro commercials are outrageously priced, so I'm milking another year out of one of my prolines. Yes I know stupid, but I have two commercial Toros and if the 22040 dosent start I have a 22043 that is fine and will. I just prefer the 22040 though. And with the price of fuel now I need all the money I can get.

Sorry that the torch thing hasn't always worked for some but it was a crazy idea I had over the winter and thought I'd let you all know that it does work, just not always for very long.

Enjoy, Neal
fordtech
16 years ago
Maybe the torch method just removes some of the moisture and baking over an hour or two removes all of it? It would be nice to find out over time what everyone figures out. I dont have a bad coil around to try it on.
fordtech
16 years ago
I found a coil that I thought I had thrown away. It was on a 10323 engine I purchased from someone who got real frustrated with it not starting when he wanted it too. It had this bad coil and a broken carburetor. I replaced the carb but the starting problems persisted until I replaced the coil. So its in the oven right now and I am having my daughter remove it after a couple hours while Im at work. Ill report back further results.
williaea
16 years ago
Fordtech,

I'm anxiously awaiting your report. I tried the baking method too - although using my gas grill. Set it up for minimum fire, cracked the lid open just a hair, and cooked the coil at 170 to 180 for an hour or so. Same luck as I had with the torch. Let me know if it makes the house smelly!

Eric
fordtech
16 years ago
Just got home. Looks fine and daughter said she didnt smell a thing while it cooked. I baked it at 225 for 90 minutes. Ill let you know...
fordtech
16 years ago
I decided that since I removed this coil from the engine I put on the reconstructed 10525, that I would put it right back on that machine, since it has been my primary mowing machine this year. Its been a great mower and I know what to expect from it.
So I installed it, removing the new coil I put on previously and adjusted the gap. Put it all together and she fired off on the first pull. :)

Now I mowed the front and both side yards this evening, about an hours worth. I saved the back yard for tommorrow evening when I get home. It will be in the garage all day and out of the sunshine. So that will be a good test for a cold start. Ill let you know what happens and Ill keep you updated on how long it lasts. If she holds up that will be a nice plus and I can put the newer coil up for spare. These are 99-2911 coils from what I can tell or 2916. They both look exactly alike and work in all Duraforce engines.
fordtech
16 years ago
Day two, started right up and mowed the back. By golly this baking notion does indeed give back some life. Lets see how long... :-)
williaea
16 years ago
Thanks for the update. I have a date with an oven this weekend I think! :-)
fordtech
16 years ago
After half a dozen uses the coil has finally given out again. I guess this baking idea has its limitations and is a good thing in a pinch when you dont have cash and have grass to get mowed, but I wouldnt count on it for a durable fix. I did get some free usage from a dead coil for awhile.
rollerzeke
16 years ago
Hello all.

Thanks for this MAJOR update fordtech.
Keep um running.

Good day.
indy452
16 years ago
With all the rain lately I'm wondering if the humidity has penetrated it then?

Neal
fordtech
16 years ago
Im sure all the rain and humidity has certainly been a factor. We have had lots of both here this year.

ignition coil

Comments (14)

rdaystrom

williaea

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