Distributor Cap Seal?

[ThePointman]

Is there supposed to be a seal on the distributor that the cap rests on then seals? I have been driving my car in the rain and as there is no seal so the inside of the cap seems to have moisture condensing on it and then the engine runs rough.

[kqw]

Yes,

It fits over the dizzy shaft and then you install the rotor.

[ThePointman]

On mine there is metal on cap no rubber. So this isnt factory?

[kqw]

On my carrera, it's just a black plastic type disc that centers over the dizzy shaft. No rubber....

I wouldn't think that this seal would prevent moisture but serves to keep the dizzy mechanism free of any contaminates.

I would double check your cap for cracks etc.

Are you running OEM wires?

[ThePointman]

Yes I am running OEM wires. I just got the car on the 18th of this month and it is my first pcar. I checked the cap it seems fine. I am going to check in the morning but I do not remember seeing a plastic piece on the dizzy just plastic dizzy cap on metal. It has been raining here allot and I just cant help driving fast. But my no starting problem this morning happened right after I washed the car. And I did give the rear lid grill a good scrub and rinse.

[kqw]

A fine crack in the cap may be a little difficult to see. Try slightly flexing the cap to reveal cracks.

Does you cap have a black plastic covering over the orange plastic?

Shoot a picture of the dizzy asm. and post it.

[ThePointman]

Will do in the morning for sure. Thanks for the help I really appreaciate it.

[stlrj]

The distributor cap needs to be waterproofed. I put a bead of strip caulk on the rim of the cap before clamping it down to keep the moisture out.



You will be able to drive off after this soaking like I did without the slightest hint of a miss.


Cheers,

Joe

[ThePointman]

Originally posted by stlrj
The distributor cap needs to be waterproofed. I put a bead of strip caulk on the rim of the cap before clamping it down to keep the moisture out.




Cheers,

Joe

That is exactly what I was thinking I would do. Put ring of silicone on the bottom of the cap.

[stlrj]

I've done the silicone but the problem is getting the cap off afterwards. That's why I use strip caulk now.

[ThePointman]

Originally posted by stlrj
I've done the silicone but the problem is getting the cap off afterwards. That's why I use strip caulk now.

What is strip caulk and where do you get it? Can you take a pic of it applied?

[stlrj]

You can get it at any auto parts store and it looks like strips of putty on wax paper that you can peel off just like the body shops use to waterproof between fender/body seams.

[ThePointman]

Originally posted by stlrj
You can get it at any auto parts store and it looks like strips of putty on wax paper that you can peel off just like the body shops use to waterproof between fender/body seams.

Ah I have some grey stuff like that for sealing my trailer seams. Maybe that will work.

[stlrj]

That's the stuff!

[ThePointman]

I will give it a go then. Right after I check the cap for cracks :-)

[stlrj]

There's only one crack that you need worry about IMHO.

[ThePointman]

Originally posted by stlrj
There's only one crack that you need worry about IMHO.

Stay on Target ...

[ThePointman]

Ok so I used some of the trailer seal to seal the plastic lid to the distributor cap. Seems kinda funny that the water runs right in through the decklid and drips right onto the top of the dizzy.

[ChrisBennet]

I bet DowCorning 111 would work in that application. It never hardens so you can just wipe if off.
-Chris