Anferny

My distributor is leaking again. I've replaced the cap, rotor and o-ring 2 years ago. I haven't got a chance to get a closer detailed look at it yet but I was thinking if its the o-ring that is leaking should it last a bit longer? What other problems will force a distributor to leak? I'd like to hear your thoughts.

eknine9

iTrader: (8)

The distributor can crack and get an internal leak. The only way to fix it is replace the entire distributor. Eventually your car will start throwing a check engine light with a code for cam sensor or something like that and it will enter limp mode. An internal crack is the only other reason for a leak besides a degraded o-ring. Just make sure you mark the position of the rotor by either taking a picture, or making a mark on the distributor shield so you know where the rotor needs to be set to.

Those o-rings are usually good for 10+ years or 100k miles or more.
I thought I had an o-ring leak last year but after replacing it I still had the leak and threw the check engine code a couple days later, so I just replaced the entire distributor.