Aftermarket ignition coils

[Changy]

I must be a sucker for punishment. One of my biggest customers brought a selection of Stihl leaf blowers that were sitting in his store collecting dust. None of them would start, and all three of the Sh86 models have faulty coils. In all my time fixing small machines, that's the most faulty coils I have seen.

Has anyone used aftermarket coils? I can buy Chinese versions for £10 each, which is a big saving assuming they are any good.

TIA

[Mick]

Hi Changy.

I normally only fit genuine coils on customers machines because of the amount of stuff I've read about the aftermarket ones being a bit hit or miss. That said, I have in the past used after market carbs and coils on my own stuff which has worked out great.

All I can say is it's a gamble.  For the cost it's probably worth a try, even better if you can get your money back if it doesn't work.

I'm assuming you customer is using them commercially in which case they get a lot of heavy use.  Trouble is they don't let them idle for a few seconds prior to switching off and that can cook the coils from the heat of the engine.  While running they get air to cool them.  Idling after a work run give the engine a chance to cool slightly before switching off. They used to put this in the operators manuals but not sure it is now.