Distributor cap removal

[Alfred]

Hi guys. My mechanic has told me to take the distributor cap off to let it dry out because I've got some moisture sitting around after the rain we have had in bris.

The picture below is of the cap correct? Is there a trick to get it off? There are two clips either side.

Thanks

[Lucas_R]

Undo the clips and you will be able to lift up the distributor cap away from the base. The actual cap is the red plastic bit.

[h100vw]

Hi guys. My mechanic has told me to take the distributor cap off to let it dry out because I've got some moisture sitting around after the rain we have had in bris.

The picture below is of the cap correct? Is there a trick to get it off? There are two clips either side.

Thanks

[ATTACH]14762[/ATTACH]

If you haven't been to the bottom of the Brisbane river, I don't see taking that cap off making any difference. They aren't air tight any way. One trip to the shops would get the engine warm enough to evapourate any moisture.

If it starts, just drive it.

Gavin

[Alfred]

I've driven about 50kms this week and it isn't getting any better.

[h100vw]

I've driven about 50kms this week and it isn't getting any better.

What isn't getting any better, you haven't given us the symptoms yet?

[Alfred]

What isn't getting any better, you haven't given us the symptoms yet?

Good point The engine runs rough, engine shudders and misfires when accelerating at all RPMs and in all gears and the car shakes at idle. I had RACQ look at it. When he removed each of the lines running from the distributor to the cylinders two of them ran very poorly. He said it was likely moisture in the distributor/spark plug lines/spark plugs. See if it dries out but if not take it to my mechanic.

[h100vw]

Sterling work by the RACQ man there. So to me it sounds like maybe a couple of the plug leads are breaking down. In my experience, a prime cause of misfires has been the leads.

However, first removing the car and cleaning it inside and out isn't a bad idea. The spring clips in your picture hold it on. Check the rotor too.

Take the plug leads out one at a time and clean/inspect them. Then refit.

If it still runs rough. I am not a fan of the heatshields over the plug ends of the leads. So take them off.

Gavin

[Umai Naa!!]

I'd be inclined to do the whole lot in one go.

Distributor cap, rotor button, leads and spark plugs. The difference in performance will be night and day. The parts aren't too dear either.

[mike90tsi]

Pull the distributor off,no need to remove the leads, give the points a light going over with fine grit sandpaper or scotchbrite, do the same thing to the front edge of the rotor. Put the distributor back and start the car, if it runs better, job done, otherwise replace the leads too.

[h100vw]

Pull the distributor off,no need to remove the leads, give the points a light going over with fine grit sandpaper or scotchbrite, do the same thing to the front edge of the rotor. Put the distributor back and start the car, if it runs better, job done, otherwise replace the leads too.

Points died a death in MK1s, this is a MK3.

[Umai Naa!!]

I know what he means haha.

[mattross]

WD40.... spray it all.
test your leads if you have a voltmeter (resistance should be generally above 2 kΩ). Whilst attached flex them around is you see the values change might be a dodgy lead. There is another way to do it with spraying a mist water (google it).

If it isn't your leads of dizzy, i'll bet its the O2 sensor....

[Alfred]

Sterling work by the RACQ man there. So to me it sounds like maybe a couple of the plug leads are breaking down. In my experience, a prime cause of misfires has been the leads.

However, first removing the car and cleaning it inside and out isn't a bad idea. The spring clips in your picture hold it on. Check the rotor too.

Take the plug leads out one at a time and clean/inspect them. Then refit.

If it still runs rough. I am not a fan of the heatshields over the plug ends of the leads. So take them off.

Gavin

Clean under the cover and inside it? With WD-40 or something? To be honest I have almost no practical experience at all with this. I feel like a lost duckling. And what is the rotor and what does it look like?

Thanks for all of the helpful replies, I hope you don't mind helping me a bit more seeing as I am such a novice.

Angus

[mattross]

Take off the distributor cap, check inside for cracks and pitting, burn marks etc, spray it with WD40 inside. if the metal contacts look white or burned give a light sand.
Dizzy = 403 Forbidden
Rotor = 403 Forbidden
Rotor sits inside the Dizzy and can be taken off and light sand if looking burned or pitted.
This may help
993 - Distributor/Caps/Rotors - pcarworkshop

[mike90tsi]

This is the inside of a distributor

The brass coloured bits are the contact bits that need occasional cleaning.

This is a rotor

The brass coloured bit comes into very close proximity to the brass coloured bits in the distributor cap. Clean the brass coloured bit on to rotor, especially the round edge bit.

Don't take the leads off, you wont remember the order they go back.

If you are replacing the leads at some point, do them one by one so you know which one goes where.