Found a piece of debris in my distributor, need I be worried?

[projo198]

While removing my points and condenser I found this jammed under the wiring.

I looked around the distributor but I didn't see anything that looked like it. The nearest I can describe it is that it looks like a piece of a graphite rod.

Is this a part, or just something that dropped in at some point?

Thanks.

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: Found a piece of debris in my distributor, need I be worried?

That is the center electrode (the coil electrode) from the inside of your distributor, or previous one I think.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Found a piece of debris in my distributor, need I be worried?

"...from the inside of your distributor cap ..."

No worries, unless it is from the same cap you have now if so, then time for new parts.

 

[LAC_STS]

Re: Found a piece of debris in my distributor, need I be worried?

You could also look at the exploded parts diagram in your service manual and see if you can tell what it is from that.

 

[Don S]

Re: Found a piece of debris in my distributor, need I be worried?

You aren't going to find that in a manual. It's an integral part of the distributor cap.

Here is a picture of where you will find it.

 

[projo198]

Re: Found a piece of debris in my distributor, need I be worried?

Ok yep. That's it. I see these seem to be spring loaded, how far are they supposed to extend past the plastic?

I ask because i think mine is broken. Here's a pic of a spare one I had in the box of extra parts, the one on the boat now looks even worse.

 

[Reinell-BRXL-191]

Re: Found a piece of debris in my distributor, need I be worried?

Yeah, that cap is no good, so if your current cap looks worse, then it is not working either... that electrode has to reach down far enough to make contact with the spring contact on the rotor - if it doesn't touch, it is arcing.. and arcing isn't efficient..

 

[projo198]

Re: Found a piece of debris in my distributor, need I be worried?

Gotcha, thanks!

Unfortunately neither NAPA or Oreillys has one locally, so I'm waiting for my OMC shop to open so I can call and see if they need me to come down and bend over the counter down there for them... Lol

 

[Reinell-BRXL-191]

Re: Found a piece of debris in my distributor, need I be worried?

O'Reillys can order direct from the Sierra catalog - also, even though I don't know what motor you have, most of the caps can be gotten off eBay for a decent price - most I have seen are in the 20 dollar range...

 

[Don S]

Re: Found a piece of debris in my distributor, need I be worried?

Might want to pickup a new rotor too. Can't imagine what your existing rotor looks like after all that arching.

 

[projo198]

Re: Found a piece of debris in my distributor, need I be worried?

Thanks guys. Could order one but I'm trying to get in the water tomorrow.

I am en route to get a cap now at a small shop I found for 50 bucks. I'm driving twice as far because my OMC shop told me 75 and I'm really getting tired of that crap.

Napa was able to get a rotor for me today by 5. That finishes up pretty much the entire ignition system! Mine doesn't look bad so I may wait to replace it, but at least it will be in store if I do have to.