Q: Could bad or contaminated gasoline damage an ignition coil?

asked by on December 21, 2016

I was traveling and was nearly out of gas, so I purchased some mid-grade gasoline at a 7:11 store. Within minutes of filling up, my car engine began to tremble and misfire, like it was about to stall out.

My car has 148000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Engine is misfiring Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there. Although bad or contaminated fuel can cause drivability concerns, it cannot physically damage the ignition coil. Ignition coils convey extremely high voltages with magnetic fields controlling them. Over time, coils simply wear out without warning; some with warning, but rare. A common automotive ignition coil can produce upwards of 30,000 volts; quite a load to handle. I suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several available technicians that can assist you with an engine is misfiring inspection.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Fan came on & temperature gauge raised to hot
When you say you had general maintenance, did you get a coolant service? If so, then your engine coolant may have had an air pocket from the coolant change, and then the pocket caused the high temperature spike which then...
swinging steering wheel 65mph
Hello. It is possible that there is a problem with the wheel bearings (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/wheel-bearings-replacement), front ball joints (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ball-joint-front-replacement), and rear ball joints (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ball-joint-rear-replacement), and control arms (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement). These components have been known to cause the problem you are experiencing. If...
My high beams dont work what could be the problem?
Hello and thank you for your question. The high beam switch sometimes tends to get stuck on low beams only. Check the high beam relay and see if it is clicking when the high beam switch is activated. If the...
Hard start and Code P0672 - Low circuit on cylinder 8 glow plug
Hello. Code P0672 is the code for a low circuit on glow plug #2. If you are also having an issue with the cylinder 8 glow plug, then both of these issues, together, could be a potential cause for hard...
Cricket sound/like tea kettle ready to go off-kinda whistle like
Hello. Since it's not possible for me to hear the noise directly, I suggest the following to help narrow down the possibilities. Lets try to narrow down things that make the noise better/worse, or make the noise move. Different problems...
I want to know something about the Honda engine D15 crankshaft can work in a D13 block
Hi there. The D13 crankshaft will work in a D15 block, but will have to have long rods. The D15 crankshaft will not work in the D13 block for the D15 has long throws, so you will need short rods...
Car stalls while driving. It will start up after about 10 minutes.
Hi There, What you are describing sounds like an ignition coil pack that may be failing. Ignition coils are prone to this type of erratic functioning or heat cycling when they are beginning to fail due to the temperature fluctuations...
When I turn key on no lights on dash go on in the car. The car won't start or make any noise. What can it be?
Your vehicle could have a battery that has lost it's charge or the battery cables are corroded or loose. Check the battery with a digital volt meter and see what the voltage is. If the voltage is below 11.5 volts,...
My mazda cx9 front whhel axle broke whole driving , what is the average repair cost ,
In a case like this it's difficult to estimate the damage without getting an inspection. What probably started as a bad wheel bearing became a whole lot more complicated when it was driven until failure, and it will be necessary...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Lexus LS 600h L
The The “h” stands for hybrid, and while you might hope to get greatly improved gas mileage for your effort to go green, that shouldn’t be your motivation for buying this model. The 600h L offers a mere 1 mpg...
A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Lexus GS
A A decade after it debuted, the 2012 Lexus GS still hasn’t found a strong foothold in the sport-sedan market. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a closer look. It’s much more affordable than competitors like the BMW 3...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2011 Lexus LX 570
Despite Despite pressure on the automobile industry to produce more – and better – fuel-stingy options for the mass market, there remains a place for luxury SUVs that are neither size conscious nor gas conserving. The 570 stands firmly in...