I have a 2000 SE, with about 140k on it. Runs fine, but has recently been stumbling/hesitating at certain speeds. It's done this before and it's been remedied by replacing the coil packs.

Looking at parts today, I realized that Rockauto.com now sells just the spark plug boots in addition to the entire coil packs. The boots are $10/ea versus $60+/ea for the coil packs.

Wondering if the main issue is generally with the boot or the coil pack? My guess is that I'm going to need to buy the more expensive part...but thought I would ask just in case.

Thanks,
Mike

 

I doubt that the coil boots will solve your problem. Before you replace the coils, try cleaning the throttle body and get a can of MAF cleaner and clean the MAF sensor.

 

Boots don't do s***. If you have a misfire and your plugs are fine, find out which cylinder is misfiring and replace the whole coil.

 

Boots are usually only good if they're visually deteriorating. I had to use electrical tape on a few on my 4th gens, temporary band aid since boots weren't available back then. Not a bad option if yours are eaten up. But, since they're becoming more and more affordable, I'd say not a bad deal for the coil packs.

 

It's most likely one of the rear coils (1,3, or 5).....they go bad more often than the fronts.

 

Thanks for the heads up.

Do you guys know the cylinder order? ie from passenger side back to driver front, the order of the cylinders?

 

Along the firewall, from passenger side to driver's side is 1, 3, 5.

Along the radiator, from passenger side to driver's side is 2, 4, 6.

 

I recently had the same issues. I would start with the MAF sensor first. It's the cheapest. If you have to change the coil packs, don't go aftermarket, It causes more headaches. Buy OEM!

 

Replacing Just the spark plug boots worked well on my 4th gen (96) as the old coils lasted forever,but the boots were heading south. So I replaced them with United Ignition Wire units from Rock Auto ran them for over a year and then sold the car. Worked out well !