'16 5.0 F150 Ignition Coils

[Blake1107]

This is my first long-term vehicle where I've had to make sure I keep up with the maintenance of owning/driving a truck beyond 100K miles.
Currently had this truck nearly 7 years and just making my way through things that seem to need replacing with the age and use of the truck and according to Ford service recommendations.

For my next round of fixing/servicing I am looking at replacing the cowl covers as always parking outside has faded and cracked these plastic parts.
Also going to do spark plugs and this got me thinking, is there a certain point in time (mileage or overall age) when people replace ignition coils?
Or is it only something to tackle when they start failing?
I've had zero issues or codes thrown from the factory ones currently on the truck, but they are nearly 9 years old as the truck was manufactured in 10/2015 and have nearly 6,400 hours of use on them.

If replacing is something to consider, are there brands some trust over others? A scroll through RockAuto has Delphi, Hitachi, and WVE on my radar as they save about $16 per ignition coil, but if I am best to stick with FoMoCo ignition coils, then I can do that, too.

Thanks for the help, all!!

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

This is my first long-term vehicle where I've had to make sure I keep up with the maintenance of owning/driving a truck beyond 100K miles.
Currently had this truck nearly 7 years and just making my way through things that seem to need replacing with the age and use of the truck and according to Ford service recommendations.

For my next round of fixing/servicing I am looking at replacing the cowl covers as always parking outside has faded and cracked these plastic parts.
Also going to do spark plugs and this got me thinking, is there a certain point in time (mileage or overall age) when people replace ignition coils?
Or is it only something to tackle when they start failing?
I've had zero issues or codes thrown from the factory ones currently on the truck, but they are nearly 9 years old as the truck was manufactured in 10/2015 and have nearly 6,400 hours of use on them.

If replacing is something to consider, are there brands some trust over others? A scroll through RockAuto has Delphi, Hitachi, and WVE on my radar as they save about $16 per ignition coil, but if I am best to stick with FoMoCo ignition coils, then I can do that, too.

Thanks for the help, all!!

I would say stick with Ford FE products except...... who has a clue if the same places are not making the parts for Ford plus all those you listed these days? It is a shame but people are finding that out more and more with replacement service parts for autos to appliances and on......

 

[Blake1107]

I would say stick with Ford FE products except...... who has a clue if the same places are not making the parts for Ford plus all those you listed these days? It is a shame but people are finding that out more and more with replacement service parts for autos to appliances and on......

I have actually been Google searching to see if someone else makes the Ford ignition coils. The WVE look exactly like the FoMoCo ones.

 

[atikovi]

Most people say to avoid Ebay for oem coils, but I've had good luck on three sets in the last 5 years for Motorcraft. They weren't a huge savings like the counterfeit ones usually are, but you can get a good feel of the seller from their feedback as well. I think the last guy worked at a Ford dealer and was selling off some excess stock for less than aftermarket coils on Rock Auto.

 

[bdcardinal]

I did the coils on my Mustang just past 75K miles. I used the Ford Racing ones because they are literally Motorcraft and cost less than I would pay for Motorcraft as a dealer employee.

There are 2 different coil numbers listed for a 2016 F-150 based on the build date.

 

[GMBoy]

I would not replace them. What you replace them with might fail sooner then the ones you already have. If you feel you must then go with the Ford ones followed by Bosch , Hitachi or delphi. Do not use WVE, SMP etc - all trash.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

I would not replace them. What you replace them with might fail sooner then the ones you already have. If you feel you must then go with the Ford ones followed by Bosch , Hitachi or delphi. Do not use WVE, SMP etc - all trash.

I've had OE coils go well past 200k miles and replacements fail in 30k. It's more risky to replace them at 100k than to just leave them alone IMO.

 

[GMBoy]

I've had OE coils go well past 200k miles and replacements fail in 30k. It's more risky to replace them at 100k than to just leave them alone IMO.

My point exactly but you worded it better lol! My 2008 CTS has its original coils at over 204k miles

 

[meep]

I’ve been surprised by the cowl on my ‘18 as well. It’s been shrinking and is starting to gap where the left and right sides hook together in the middle. I’ve never had another vehicle do this - have thought about buying a replacement, washing it down and spraying it with bed liner. Just bought new plastic for the tailgate cover which ripped off years ago. Might not put it on until I sell it, so it’s still in the box. Do all of your power mirrors still work? U/D on my passenger side simply decided to become a manual feature at some point last year.

As for coils, I’d lean towards motorcraft - if there’s one thing they seem to do well, it’s that they aren’t expensive for oem parts as other brands. That has been really good for Ford ownership. I should have bought motorcraft branded plugs when I did mine.

 

[wtd]

I wouldn't replace them unless they fail and when they do, I would only use Motorcraft if available. Ford Racing coils are probably the same as Ford and I would use those second.

 

[Marcozi]

If you are worried about a failing coil, keep a spare along with the required tools in the trunk.

 

[Blake1107]

I’ve been surprised by the cowl on my ‘18 as well. It’s been shrinking and is starting to gap where the left and right sides hook together in the middle. I’ve never had another vehicle do this - have thought about buying a replacement, washing it down and spraying it with bed liner. Just bought new plastic for the tailgate cover which ripped off years ago. Might not put it on until I sell it, so it’s still in the box. Do all of your power mirrors still work? U/D on my passenger side simply decided to become a manual feature at some point last year.

Yeah, the speed the cowl pieces faded, shrinked, and cracked/rotted in the last year has been surprising. They weren't in great condition before that, but it went downhill quick.
Mirrors are still working as should, but I do believe they both have developed a little warp to them. When I look in them at certain angles, what I see is not a clear reflection of what's behind me. Almost a house of mirrors feel to it, LOL. Their plastic has faded pretty bad, too, but won't be getting replaced until there is a failure or I find a sweet deal on a set on FB marketplace.

 

[Blake1107]

Thanks all!
I'll pass on replacing coils! None of them have any issues and will follow the rule of, "if it ain't broke don't fix it".
If anything does fail I will look at the FoMoCo to replace, though!

 

[Gus_Mahn]

I think the coils get blamed for misfiring, but the misfires are often caused by bad coil boots leaking spark. I always try to change the boots when I change the spark plugs, and I’m sure to use plenty of dielectric grease in boot.

 

[bdcardinal]

Thanks all!
I'll pass on replacing coils! None of them have any issues and will follow the rule of, "if it ain't broke don't fix it".
If anything does fail I will look at the FoMoCo to replace, though!

Be careful with those connectors on the coils. They require a little finesse to undo.

 

[Blake1107]

Be careful with those connectors on the coils. They require a little finesse to undo.

Always! Last thing my wife wants is a dead truck in the driveway until more parts come in

The first 4 plug changes have gone smoothly and praying this 5th time is just as smooth! I am considering trying the Ruthenium plugs instead of the Iridium plugs I have been.

 

[Dave9]

Always! Last thing my wife wants is a dead truck in the driveway until more parts come in

The first 4 plug changes have gone smoothly and praying this 5th time is just as smooth! I am considering trying the Ruthenium plugs instead of the Iridium plugs I have been.

Huh? At 151K mi, you should not have needed to change the plugs 4 times already. It should just about be due for a 2nd plug change, if you go by those who advocate changing them every 75K-80K instead of 100K mi.

 

[Blake1107]

Huh? At 151K mi, you should not have needed to change the plugs 4 times already. It should just about be due for a 2nd plug change, if you go by those who advocate changing them every 75K-80K instead of 100K mi.

I changed the original set at 57K shortly after getting the truck. Was right before I got it tuned (Oz Omega Tune). Ken recommended I change plugs by every 35K stating the Coyote engine is hard on plugs. I think I have done them right at every 30K, maybe a little sooner once or twice. Averages around 20 months worth of driving when I look back at my Excel file.
Could be changing them way too soon, but $60 every 20 months for a quick Saturday morning job is no biggie.

 

[Tea.Man]

Hi guys, Im wondering If any of you believe that preventive maintenance is more cosr effective and time saver versus waiting for a catastrophic failure. Im looking at it from the coil perspective. After a certain amount of cycles the coil packs begin to fade. They dont have the output they once had and as it gets weaker , the plugs dont fire correctly and then emissions rise killing the cat. the system is only as strong as its weakest component so if a coil is bad then the truck suffers. Also we cant predict when the failure will occur, which could leave you on the side of the road in timbuck too. look at the manufacturers recomended interval to change these items and be dilligent so the truck is always maintained. When it comes to the ignition system its best to replace everything at the same time. plugs and coils and if fitted , the ignition module. Which product to buy as a replacement? The easy answer is stick to OEM. But for me I like performance, so make sure the OEM part isnt on a recall list or has a high failure rate. Preventive maintenance is the key to longevity.

 

[Dave9]

Hi guys, Im wondering If any of you believe that preventive maintenance is more cosr effective and time saver versus waiting for a catastrophic failure. Im looking at it from the coil perspective. After a certain amount of cycles the coil packs begin to fade. They dont have the output they once had and as it gets weaker , the plugs dont fire correctly and then emissions rise killing the cat. the system is only as strong as its weakest component so if a coil is bad then the truck suffers. Also we cant predict when the failure will occur, which could leave you on the side of the road in timbuck too. look at the manufacturers recomended interval to change these items and be dilligent so the truck is always maintained. When it comes to the ignition system its best to replace everything at the same time. plugs and coils and if fitted , the ignition module. Which product to buy as a replacement? The easy answer is stick to OEM. But for me I like performance, so make sure the OEM part isnt on a recall list or has a high failure rate. Preventive maintenance is the key to longevity.

Don't agree at all but don't want to write pages of rebuttal. You're just throwing away money out of paranoia unless you take your vehicle out into the desert alone, where you'd die if you were stranded. Otherwise, all you have to do is turn the engine off if it starts misfiring, long before it burns up a cat.

Further if you are that worried about your OEM coils failing, then it seems like that isn't the right brand to replace them with, since many vehicles still have their factory coils when they are retired to a junkyard due to old age, low value making them unworthy of the next repair. It just isn't worth doing unless the specific vehicle is known to eat coils, and manufacturers generally don't have an interval for that because they are meant to last the life of the vehicle.

It's your money though, but if I were that worried about my coils, then I'd just toss a spare in the trunk along with a scan tool, for a more important reason than coils which is knowing whether it is safe to keep driving the vehicle for any reason that might cause the check engine light to come on, or if it starts running rough. You can't reasonably, preventatively replace every single part that might fail on a vehicle ahead of time, and may end up causing more problems than you solved in trying.