GEN 1 Gen 1 Coils - eBay (Part 1)

[Cookie_Monster]

I recently had a new [remanufactured] engine installed in my 2014 (I'll do a separate post on that topic) and have been getting random misfires. In an attempt to rule out things I wanted to replace coils to see if that might be the issue. I have new boots, resistor pellets, plugs and wires, but still have the original coils (126k). I saw where another forum member had tried out the eBay cheepy coils, so I figured for $150 I could try new (possibly counterfeit) coils (they are) and then later buy the $800 OEM set if that's the issue.

I ordered these for about $160 after discounts: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2963574387...d=link&campid=5338805043&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

They were shipped from a warehouse called 'Online Seller RMA' in Hebron, KY even though the eBay listing says Houston, TX. I suspect that most or all of the eBay sellers of 'Motorcraft' coils are this same place. Clearly 8 coils for less than the price of 2 OEMs are probably suspect.

The good news is that they do actually work and I saw a big improvement in MPG and no misfires so far. But these are likely not actually OEM. See below but two glaring differences are the eBay cheepies do not contain the resistor pellets and the eBays weigh significantly less than the real coils. The exterior would be nearly impossible to differentiate from OEM without a side by side. Someone went to a lot of work to replicate.

First clue is the label on the bag is misspelled -





Taking the boot off we find the resistor pellet is missing and is replaced by a longer spring to make up the space (EBay on left, OEM on right)-



Looking down into the coil where the resistor pellet should be we see the space is too big and the pellet doesn't sit in there straight -

 

[FishFreak]

Interesting Cookie Monster, thanks for the heads up! I'm about to do this service on my 138k 2014 Screw. Mine runs smooth so I'll just keep my coils, replace the 8 resistors and boots, wires and plugs.

 

[rschap1]

A couple other vehicles I have used CHEAP parts to diagnose.
Thought was same.
See if the actual problem was the part I was thinking it was.
If so, replace the cheapy with better quality after confirmation.
Some I have been able to leave in place for the rest of owning the vehicle.
Some others, had to replace.
I use the amount of labor for install to decide.
If the cost difference isn't enough to justify doing the job twice-the labor is just too much regardless of savings; then I will buy quality (probably O.E.M. right off the bat).