Category: In Montana – Winter

The new ignition coils arrived via Amazon. So now to get someone to do the work. I called the shop in Livingston that did the oil change. They said they couldn’t do it due to insurance limits.  I called Jiffy Lube in Bozeman and they said the might be able to do it during the week. They suggested I call back on Monday. I called Firestone and they said that the European car guy only worked M-F. Please take note here that they said the guy as in only one person at the shop. At this point I am very frustrated. It would be a huge pain and cost a lot to do the work during the week.

I start looking at online forums and videos about how to change the ignition coils and spark plugs for my car. I think I can do this, but I will need some tools, so off to Livingston I go. After a stop at the Ace Hardware,O’Reilly Auto Parts and Carquest Auto parts I now have a basic metric socket set, socket extender, spark plug socket and silicone gel. Back home we go after a quick stop at Taco Bell.

Now for the work. This is the before picture.

I have to disconnect the ignition coil cables and remove the bolts (two per ignition coil).

Then I have to take the ignition coils out. Once that is done then I have to take the spark plugs out.

Then I have to put the new spark plugs in.

Then I have to put in the new ignition coils.

Then I have to connect the cables and lock them in.

Lastly I have to put the cover back on and say a prayer.

Thank the Lord the car starts. I take a celebratory drive to Subway for a dinner treat. The car is still not running correctly, but that horrible knocking and thinking it was about to turn off is gone. It is slow changing gears and slow accelerating in low gears. Will need to research this issue, but this is a victory. I can now do some basic car work. Being here really makes you be more reliant on yourself for things.