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Coil Leaking Oil ?
pajsh - 27/8/06 at 04:59 PM

Guess this might seem a bit of a numptie question but been out for a blast and my coil seems to be leaking oil?

I never considered what was inside other than HV/LV windings.

Does a coil have oil in it???

If so I guess it's time for a new one. Got home fine but probably won't go out again until I get a new one.

Still can't believe it's got oil in it.

David Jenkins - 27/8/06 at 05:06 PM

Yep - they sometimes use oil to help with cooling. Try not to get it on your skin as some cooling oils used in electrical things can be quite nasty. (PCBs).

I would only expect it to leak if it's suffered some abuse - got overheated, or it's a 9v coil running on 12v, or it's been left with the ignition on and the engine stopped (points system only).

David

pajsh - 27/8/06 at 05:10 PM

Mmmmmm guess it must be heat then.

I'm pretty sure it's the original Sierra coil and so voltage difference should not be an issue and I disconnect the battery when I'm not using the car.

It is pretty hot in there so I may have to look closer at cooling.

ATB

Confused but excited. - 27/8/06 at 05:11 PM

quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
Yep - they sometimes use oil to help with cooling. Try not to get it on your skin as some cooling oils used in electrical things can be quite nasty. (PCBs)
David


I'll second that.
I don't know what is used in a coil, but some electrical equipment has what appears to be oil and is in fact chlorinated arsenic, trade name 'Arachlor'. Very nasty sh1t.

Peteff - 28/8/06 at 05:30 PM

The one we blew up only had oil in it . Don't use standard coils on electronic ignition, it's very messy.

David Jenkins - 28/8/06 at 05:47 PM

Many of these oils can be PolyChlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) - carcinogenic, and give off dioxin if burnt. Very nasty!

But no need to get neurotic - minimise contact with the oil, and wash your hands well afterwards. Chances are they won't be PCBs anyway.

David

02GF74 - 28/8/06 at 11:30 PM

oil indeed, best keep quiet about it coz as soon as Bush hears about it, he'll be invading!

probably same/similar stuff use in HV transformers - pcb and all that - nasty.

helps cooling and for h.voltage insulation.

best buy a new one

nick205 - 29/8/06 at 10:41 AM

just a thought, but is your coil mounted vertically? I've seen several builds where paople have mounted the coil horizontally, which I've always thought is encouraging the thing to leak. There must be a reason why manufactureres always fitted the coils upright