Aftermarket ignition coils worth a crap?

[sutor623]

A couple months back I put a set of CDI ignition coils on my 130 looper. First trip out I dropped spark on #3 cylinder. Got home, swapped coil out with known good (used OMC) one, problem solved. I sent the bad coil to CDI and they sent me a new one. Got the new one, swapped it back out with the Evinrude coil. Next run went to the water, after about an hour run time I dropped spark on a cylinder AGAIN!! This time it was cylinder #4. Swapped the CDI coil out with brand new Evinrude coil. and back on the water, no issues.

So, I have had 2 CDI ignition coils fail me after only 1-2 hours of run time. Should I just swap the rest of them out with new Erude coils? I know one thing. I will always have an extra ignition coil or two on the boat from now on!!!

 

[Fed]

Could you have inadvertently been fixing bad coil connections when you changed out the 'faulty' CDI coils?
Did you or can you test the CDI coils?

FWIW I'd swap the others anyway, I'm not a fan of non-genuine parts.

 

[emdsapmgr]

I've had similar problems with some of the new Bombardier ignition components-since they now buy most of them from CDI. A power pack and a timer base. Fortunately, when the brand new parts quit working, I was able to return them to Bombardier for full credit. They have a one year warranty on aftermarket parts. My stock of older (used) Bombardier/OMC ignition components have kept my engine running,.

 

[sutor623]

Good to hear EMD. I think you are correct about most of their parts. I am pretty sure that CDI does not make the OMC ignition coils. They look different and their posts are a different color. The old coils worked just fine. I changed them for good measure and look where it gets me!!!

Fed, the entire ignition system has been replaced, along with the powerhead. I am sure that the coils failed. I swapped them around on the motor and the issue followed the coil.