4.3EFI Changing the distributor cap and rotor arm

[SandyBoat]

I?ve just serviced the engine (2001 Mercruiser 4.3EFI) on my boat and had a look at the rotor arm/distributor cap, which is looking a little worn on the contacts. As a precaution I think I will replace both - do I need to check the ignition timing after I have replaced them? Also how long do these parts last in normal use as they don?t seem to be holding up particularly well?

Thanks for any input.

 

[jkust]

Re: 4.3EFI Changing the distributor cap and rotor arm

I am no mechanic but EFI engines do not utilize a distributor cap or rotor arm. Those items are mutually exclusive to EFI.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 4.3EFI Changing the distributor cap and rotor arm

You are right, you aren't a mechanic. Cause EFI engines indeed have distributors.

No need to check the timing, as long as you don't unbolt and move the distibutor. And you can't put the rotor on wrong, as there is a flat side to it. Be prepared, your old rotor will NOT come off easily. I ended up breaking the one off in my van, in order to remove it.
These parts last a LONG time, in normal conditions. I changed mine on my boat after 5 years, and it wasn't necessary. The ones I replaced them with looked good after another 5 years. Unless the rotor or the contacts in the gap are REALLY bad, you won't notice any improvement.
Oh, and on my 1990 Chevy Van, I replace the cap and rotor after 19 years, and noticed no improvement. But I felt better.

 

[SandyBoat]

Re: 4.3EFI Changing the distributor cap and rotor arm

Thanks for the replies. I?m no mechanic either, but I can definitely read the letters EFI on the engine and see, touch and smell a distributor complete with cap and rotor arm.

I really want to change the cap/rotor arm as the old one is worn, and when I first had the boat, it had problems starting, which were partially caused by the distributor cap being worn. So I think its worth changing it out to be on the safe side - just don?t want to have to mess around checking the timing again and sounds like I won?t need to.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3EFI Changing the distributor cap and rotor arm

So I think its worth changing it out to be on the safe side - just don?t want to have to mess around checking the timing again and sounds like I won?t need to.

Ayuh,... It's not much of a Wonder why some of these motors run like $h!t when only 1/2 azzed Tune-Ups are done....

Worry Free boating comes from doing Annual Preventive Maintanance,+ Full Tune-Ups....

 

[mkast]

Re: 4.3EFI Changing the distributor cap and rotor arm

Preventive Maintanance

Using four letter words on this forum is taboo.

 

[ziggy]

Re: 4.3EFI Changing the distributor cap and rotor arm

changing the cap and rotor won't effect timing. but i agree w/others. do the full tuneup. or, go look at the summerization thread (see adults only sticky at the top of the i/o fourm that says adults only, read #5) to get an idea of what you need to do to get your boat ready for summer.. or look in a service manual and look at the preventative maint. schedule. bet there's a whole list of things to take a look at...

 

[SandyBoat]

Re: 4.3EFI Changing the distributor cap and rotor arm

Again thanks for the replies. I did say in my second post "check the timing again" - I?ve already done it once when I serviced the engine, and the question is do I need to do it again if I just replace the cap and rotor arm? The answer seems to be no, which is really what I assumed, but wanted to check on here first.

Oh and on of the reasons I am doing the service myself is that way I know 100% what has been done to the boat, what lubes have been used, what bits have been changed, what nuts got tightened using a torque wrench etc etc. I just get the feeling I can?t really trust anyone round here to do the job properly, so I may as well do it myself and hey, if I screw it up, at least I won?t have paid someone else to screw it up for me