Ignition coils protective plastic
 

My s60 2001, 128,xxx. Today, mid 50's and sunny, I replaced my spark plugs. Everything went fine except for the ignition coil covering (protective tubes) that literally disintegrated upon touch. I figure it's due to age and heat generated within the bay causing the plastic to fall apart.

I will have to remove the remaining plastic pieces using a vacum with soft bristle adapter.

Question. Since the ignition coil wires are now exposed and no longer protected by the plastic, can I or should I do something about it? I imagine that the plastics purpose was to prevent the wires from physically touching the hot metal surface on top of the head.

I am thinking about maybe wrapping the wires in electrical tape. Is this a good idea? Should I wrap several times (make it thick)? Or should I just clean the mess and leave things the way they are?

Ahhh, I have now found the term I am trying to refer to, thanks to IPD. It's called the ignition coil harness loomin.

Now, how to install the new harness? I know to be delicate with old cables, but where to start?

If the tubing isn't spit down the middle, you can cut it and put it over the wires and tie it every few inches with lacing tape (or dental floss!). Another option is to use wire sleeves which can stretch over the connectors and then be fastened with electrical, silicone or lacing tape. Metal bands are the nicest way of securing them, but they need a special tool if you want to do them right!

Thank you for you're input, I appreciate it, this is a great idea.

Had the same thing on my '01. The "corregated" plastic tubing that goes over the wires that go to the spark plug coils was totally disintegrated when I went to change the plugs. If it wasn't-it was as brittle as a potato chip when I touched it and just continued to break into small pieces as I changed the plugs.
You can buy similar plastic tubing at AutoZone or AdvancedAuto, which is what I did. Got rid of the old brittle broken stuff, put the new stuff over the wires, buttoned it up. I figure if the new aftermarket stuff isn't quite as good as the OEM, I can afford to get another $5 worth next year and put new on. I suspect the aftermarket is about the same as the OEM, and the OEM lasted 10 years.
The stuff is easy to put on, comes in like a 5 or 10 ft. length, cut with a knife to desired length, it has a slit down the length and slips over the wires.