Ford Fiesta Coil Pack - seized screws

KatieDee

Hello everybody,

My 53 plate Fiesta started juddering a few weeks ago. I called the AA out who checked all the usual suspects (plugs, leads, etc), changed my spark plugs and sent me on my way. The juddering still continues and I think it might be my coil pack at fault.

I bought a new one and went to take the old one out, but it seems as though the torx screws have seized into place. I've tried an electric screwdriver and also using a hammer but they don't seem to want to budge!

Despite it being such a small issue, this little Fiesta has caused me a few problems recently despite only have 60,000 miles on the clock. If it isn't the coil pack then it could be the catalytic converter which is slightly more costly! I'd rather start cheap and work my way up.

So...any idea how to get these pesky screws on, preferably without drilling them out? Any suggestions gratefully received!

forgotmyname

Heat and cold to break the corrosion thats locked them together.

Heat the bolt up really hot and cool it rapidly. Have the engine hot when you remove them.

Not sure how your using a hamme on torx bolts?

Impact wrench may work if your torx bits are upto the job.

Strider590

I take it OP is actually using torx sockets or a torx wrench set?
They're used to deter home mechanics, but they're designed to handle a lot of torque without stripping their heads.

Soak the bolts over night in wd40.
Get some allen key style torx wrenches and put something like a jack handle over the end to get some decent leverage.

KatieDee

forgotmyname wrote: »

Not sure how your using a hamme on torx bolts?

I put the screw driver into the top of the screw (as you would if it wasn't seized) and knocked it with a hammer downwards to jar it in place.

Added a bit of WD40 to it as the poster above suggested, then used a pair of pliers to get more grip. Job done! Thank you for your suggestions

forgotmyname

Trying to undo it with a screwdriver tool not a ratchet?

Get yourself a decent socket set.

Flying-High_2

But She's undone it ....... Probably using one of the elcheapo Torx Bit Screwdriver sets.... No Heat needed either

arcon5

Just try not to drive it too much whilst it's misfiring - it'll destroy the cat c otherwise.

60k miles -- gtting to dangerous age zone, although usually anywhere from 70-100k

Netwizard

arcon5 wrote: »

60k miles -- gtting to dangerous age zone, although usually anywhere from 70-100k

On that basis, I should be dead now in my 160,000 mile car then?

forgotmyname

And mine at 170,000. I wonder what he would think of my old rover 825 Diesel that i bought with over 230,000 miles on the clock.

Towed my caravan every year for about 4 years and still going several years after i sold it.

KatieDee

arcon5 wrote: »

Just try not to drive it too much whilst it's misfiring - it'll destroy the cat c otherwise.

60k miles -- gtting to dangerous age zone, although usually anywhere from 70-100k

Funny you should say that...changed the coil pack only for the problem to continue. Had a mechanic come to check it out (I daren't drive it at the moment) who ran a diagnostics test and identified there was a misfire on cylinder two.

On further inspection, the oil had completely run down despite putting over a litre in about 8 miles ago. New coil pack = highly unlikely to be this (he checked my leads and everything), diagnosis was a knackered piston.

I'm well aware of how much it will cost to fix, so I've decided to somehow sell/scrap my 60,000k Fiesta and buy something a bit newer. Gutted, as I've only had it two years and assumed it was something simple! The guy said it really shouldn't be happening at 60k but it's not worth repairing.

A bit torn really...reluctant to pump money into it (towing to a garage, letting them "work their magic", charging for diagnostics and changing everything again, only for something else to go in 10k miles (cambelt needs doing).

Any suggestions?

Stoke

forgotmyname wrote: »

And mine at 170,000. I wonder what he would think of my old rover 825 Diesel that i bought with over 230,000 miles on the clock.

Towed my caravan every year for about 4 years and still going several years after i sold it.

He doesn't really mean that, he means at about that age you might find lots of bits going wrong.