Hi, yeah i bought my 1997 Land Rover used, and it ran a little rough in the beginning. But you know, i decided i would ignore it for a little bit, as i was getting more money together to fix her up. Well, i noticed that the coil pack and blown a little hole right through the female end of the coil pack corresponding to the #8 cylinder--the plug wires were fine, just the pack had the disintegration. Well, after a few weeks it got much worse, found out #6 had a huge hole in it now--did not before--and #8 was basically gone. I am pretty sure that it was runnin on about 7.25 cylinders LoL, not good i know, but its a bind when you have no warranty and you have to find a coil pack to purchase! So luckily i found a 95 coil pack--poor guy wrecked his landy--and wires and plugs for 300 total, and no problems since. I was beginning to wonder if i was the only one with this problem. I dont think it really hurts the tank of a truck that we drive, but whenever things are not working correctly it is not good. Just try to shop around because the coil packs are not cheap......its been 3 months and no further issues...
the difference in my long story is it never really smelled like anything was overheating in my experience with a failing coil pack, my engine never died, and my alt/battery never had any issues (well, it did, but that was a different story where my alternator basically blew up into spinnin metal shavings of d00m)....so, it wont hurt to replace your coil pack, but you may have some bigger issues. get new wires and spark plugs when you get the new pack, no matter what....good luck
