I'm the second owner of a 2007 Dakota 3.7L and I'd like to know what is the life expectancy of coil packs in my vehicle? Every reason to believe that I have the original coil packs in there. Are they due for replacement?

 

if it aint broke, don't fix it. Owners manual will state the recommended maintenance intervals and items. I've never run across replacing coil packs as a recommended maintenance item.

 

Have heard that running worn plugs can burn a coil up over time.

 

Good question. Not sure I've seen a good answer. My experience has been a coil went out. In a car wash no less. (At 75k). Couple points. Essentially half the coil is nothing more than a spark plug wire. We all know they have a limited lifespan. Secondly, if a coil goes bad it puts the engine in limp mode. (BLINKING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT). Dodge recommends stoping the vehicle and towing it at this point. So I consider it a maintenance replace item. At what k I ve yet to determine.

 

Thank you all for your replies. I replaced my coil packs this weekend, along with new copper core plugs - no exotic metals - and see a positive change, which I hope translates to better mpg. The truck is plenty powerful and responsive now, too.


Thanks again!

 

I too have a 2007 3.7L Dakota and have just gone through the misery of replacing sparkplugs. Get a can of PB Blaster!! I snapped one of the studs that holds the coil pack down so right now gravity and the O-ring down in the tube is holding it in place. On the #5 plug the stud began to back out. Not sure how it is retained in the composite intake manifold, but it feels like an insert of some kind and it began spinning freely without backing out fully. So far I've only replaced 5 of the 6 plugs; I need to find out what retains the stud and if the intake manifold has to be removed to replace it.

 

268K on original coil packs. No issues. They are not maintenance items.

 

Wow! I have not heard before such misery in changing spark plugs or coli packs! Sheer misery! Hope you can finish up that job soon with no more pain!

 

Thanks John. I managed to drill into the broken stud and tap it for a #4 screw; it is now secure. The #5 plug has not yet been changed. Figure this long weekend will give me time to work something out. Still don't know how it is retained in the manifold so my plan is to back it out far enough to grab it with a vice grip and then remove the nut or snap/cut the stud. Then I'll thread it back and tap it for a #4 screw.

 

Hi Guys
Just an update. I bought the 2 other 15 inches rims today. I am putting 235/75/15's on my truck in a few weeks. Thanks for your help.

Thank you