I'm not happy. My 214 broke down on Tuesday (sudden loss of all power then it wouldn't restart), and after having it towed to my local MG Rover dealership, I was told that the coil had failed.

That's all well and good, but now I'm informed that they cannot get a coil for me! It may be the middle of next week before they can get the part. I can't get to work in the meantime. Surely this is a bit much?

Part number GCL201?

try a local breakers they'll probably have one and it will be loads cheaper. Then change it for your new one when you get it or keep the second hand one it may last just as long. Never heard of a coil just failing, normal starts spluttering etc first and even then dosen't normally completely fail. Could it be just the connection? I'd check first.:)

I have seen a few coils (on the back of the K Series engine) fail without warning. Whether it has anything to do with the heat produced from the engine, I know not.

John - if you are really struggling to get one, I might be able to help :)

Why don't you get a lucas one from Halfords and DIY? Or do you have a warranty with the dealer?

What's happened Dave, is that apparantley the Lucas coils which were fitted as standard have a design fault which means that the casing becomes porous after a certain length of time. The coil then starts to arc out, causing all sorts of problems.

However, I am told that Lucas have withdrawn the coil from production and have not yet manufactured a replacement. So there are no decent parts available! I got the dealer to try all sorts of places including Halfords and I was told that none of those had the item either.

I am very angry with MG Rover over this - as I have been left for four days without a car and they can't even offer me a courtesy car! Incidently, the job has been payed for by my insurance company, Autocare, who have been excellent throughout.

They are now trying to "plastic-coat" the casing to effect a temporary repair.

Crazy situation or what?

I'm not aware of any inherent coil problems John!

We don't get many failures, certainly not enough for the manufacturer to justify pulling the entire product from production!

Hello chaps,

Similar problems here.

I've been having damp start issues for ages and decided to replace the coil (after dizzy/rotor/HT etc.) and got one at a cheap local spares place.

Immediately cured the damp start issues BUT the car now jerks/bunts at around 2000RPM. Odd, intermittant problem but I suspect the coil.

Went to Halfords to get a better quality coil and their reference cards recommended a Lucas DLB198. I've bought it and inside is a piece of paper saying:

"WARNING: DO NOT FIT THIS COIL TO IGNITION SYSTEMS FITTED WITH CONTACT BREAKERS"

"This coil is for vehicles fitted with an Electronic Ignition System."

My car is a 1995/M 214SEi, I assume that as it has a rotor arm/distributor that it therefore does not have electronic ignition.

So do I fit this coil or not?

--Alan

Fear not - your car has an electronic ignition - it doesn't have breaker points.

Go ahead and fit the coil...

Woo-Hoo!

Thanks Mike.

John Hackett,

If the car is under manufacturers warranty its down to rover to sort you out with a courtesy car if it aint then they dont hav any obligation to give you a lone of one of there vehicles!

If you are getting it repaired under another warranty from someone else then its down to them to sort you with a courtesy car if you pay for it in your policy.

About the part i presume it is back order and probably wont help with it being the holiday period but there is nothing the dealership can do about it apart from you or your warranty company paying a "premium" on the part which means you may get it quicker through a courier service. But ONLY if the part is in stock at the warehouse.

Hope this helps

Sorry cinches I've confused things by tacking onto a v.old thread.

Mike.. Coil fitted and it seems to have solved the problem.

Cheers

--Alan

Oooopsss my mistake guys sorry :doh: