Distributor gear wear can cause a variety of headaches for car owners. Eventually running problems develop, timing issues, idle issues, backfiring, or even an engine that won’t run at all aren’t uncommon when a distributor gear is damaged. Troubleshooting these issues can be somewhat of a headache as well.
What makes a distributor gear go bad?
The two main culprits of distributor gears wearing excessively or failing can be traced to the distributor bottoming out on the oil pump, or the cam moving too much while the engine is running; this is known as “cam walk”.
How do I know if distributor is bad?
What Are the Symptoms of a Bad Distributor in a Car?
- Unexplainable Shaking. A classic telltale sign that your distributor is going bad is unexplained shaking whenever the car is running.
- Difficulty in Starting.
- High-Pitched Squealing.
Are all distributor gears the same?
According to Hodgdon, “The four most common types of distributor gears are composite, bronze, cast-iron, and hardened steel. These gears conform well to the mating camshaft, and will not damage the cam gear. Since cast iron contains two percent carbon, these gears work well with cam gears made from the same material.
Can a distributor wear out?
The distributor rotor and cap pass voltage from ignition coils into the engine’s cylinders. The distributor rotor and cab are subjected to high voltage on a regular basis, meaning every time you turn on your vehicle, electricity flows through them. Because of this, they do wear out from time to time.
How do you check the depth of a distributor?
To check this:
- Measure the distance between the base of the slip collar to the tip of the distributor shaft (Figure 8).
- Using a straight edge, measure the distance from the intake manifold distributor flange to the top of the oil pump intermediate shaft (Figure 8).
- Take the two measurements and subtract them.
How can you tell if a distributor rotor is bad?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Distributor Rotor and Cap
- Engine misfires. Engine misfires can occur for a number of reasons.
- Car doesn’t start.
- Check Engine Light comes on.
- Excessive or unusual engine noises.
What causes distributor gear wear on Ford engines?
Davis agreed, “Excessive distributor-gear wear can be a problem with Ford engines. Most of the time, the problem again results from the use of a high-volume oil pump. High-volume oil pumps put a lot of stress on the distributor and cam gears.
What causes distributor gear wear on a Honda Civic?
Problems with irregular distributor gear wear can be caused by the distributor being “bottomed” out on the oil pump or cam walk. This problem can be easily prevented if the proper precautions are used. First, we will cover the problem with “bottoming” the distributor.
How do I know if my distributor gear is bottomed?
Another method of checking for bottoming, is applying machinists dye to the distributor gear. Spin the engine by hand several rotations. Remove the distributor and inspect the wear pattern. You should have an even pattern through the middle of the gear.
Can the bottom of a Chevrolet distributor housing be modified?
The bottom of a Chevrolet distributor housing can be and SHOULD BE! modified to spray pressurized oil onto the distributor drive gear. The extra lubrication will reduce distributor gear and camshaft gear wear.
