[Bruce Hawkins]

Hi all,

My next project find the very slow leak, near the outside of the distributor. Seems to be wettest on a sensor that sits directly below the distributor. I do find oil inside the distributor, but its less than outside.

What is the sensor just below the distributor?

Any thoughts?

 

[nehonda]

I believe that would be the coolant temp sensor below the distributor on a 4 cyl. Oil in that area could be coming from the distributor o-ring or the valve cover gasket. Either one would be fairly simple to replace.

One more thought is the PCV valve. If its old it may not be working correctly and causing pressure to build up inside the engine resulting in some oil leakage.

 

[HondaTechAV6]

also if you have oil in the distrib you need to see if it's coming from inside the distrib and not just seeping in from the outside.

if it's coming from inside the distrib the seal has failed internally and you should replace the distrib.

if it's from outside just replace the distrib housing o-ring and clean the inside of the distrib out.

 

[Bruce Hawkins]

It takes several months to leak enough to really notice. I just cleaned it, inside and out. I think its likely the inside distributor seal. There was 1-2 drips on the yellow connector below after a couple days. I was hoping it could be form some where easy (user fixable). I need to get time to try to loose the lower distributor cap screw again, like last time. I have two more left, after all ;=)
I want to at least wait till I get/pay the bill for the transmission and tires, before I spend any more. My wallet feels light this month...

 

[Bruce Hawkins]

I replaced the distributor.

A few hints for someone who's replacing it:
-- It will leak some oil, be prepared.
-- Disconnect the connectorrized wires to it first (not spark plug wires). Press the connector button/ tap, to disconnect or connect the new one.
-- Remove the cap to know about were the rotor is. Lay it aside with the spark plug wire still connected.
-- There are two large bolts to remove.
-- Remove the cap on the new distributor, position it like the old one just removed.
-- Once removed, clean hole were it was. apply oil in the hole, and on the new distributor shaft o-ring.
-- Install the new distrib, if it dont go in, the cogs are hitting. It can only go in two ways: Correctly or 180-degrees out - Correctly, just slides in, incorrectly, almost fits, but only with force. So, rotate it till it fits.
-- There is some play for +/-1 degree or so of timing (used SG2 live data timing).
-- Set the old cap with the spark plug wire in the same orientation, on top of the newly installed distributor - Reinstall the spark plug wires one at a time, in the same location.

It obvious why the leaking oil kills the distributor (eventually), the pick up coil is in line with the leaking oil from off the shaft. Engineer: It should be moved, so that it dont leak on to it...

 

[96accordcoupe]

I need to do this soon. Mine leaks quite a bit as a matter of fact. Not sure I feel confident enough to do it without a diy picture walk through...

 

[shortlid]

Great write up

I replaced the distributor.

A few hints for someone who's replacing it:
-- It will leak some oil, be prepared.
-- Disconnect the connectorrized wires to it first (not spark plug wires). Press the connector button/ tap, to disconnect or connect the new one.
-- Remove the cap to know about were the rotor is. Lay it aside with the spark plug wire still connected.
-- There are two large bolts to remove.
-- Remove the cap on the new distributor, position it like the old one just removed.
-- Once removed, clean hole were it was. apply oil in the hole, and on the new distributor shaft o-ring.
-- Install the new distrib, if it dont go in, the cogs are hitting. It can only go in two ways: Correctly or 180-degrees out - Correctly, just slides in, incorrectly, almost fits, but only with force. So, rotate it till it fits.
-- There is some play for +/-1 degree or so of timing (used SG2 live data timing).
-- Set the old cap with the spark plug wire in the same orientation, on top of the newly installed distributor - Reinstall the spark plug wires one at a time, in the same location.

It obvious why the leaking oil kills the distributor (eventually), the pick up coil is in line with the leaking oil from off the shaft. Engineer: It should be moved, so that it dont leak on to it...

This is great need to do the internal seal on my '99 with 185k. Any pics of where the shaft seal is located? I want to do the one on the outsid eof the distributor shaft and the internal one.

 

[HondaTechAV6]

it's not serviceable. if you have oil in the dizzy replace it. just do not be fooled by oil leaking from the dizzy o-ring that is serviceable as it can trickle down and wet the inside of the dizzy fooling less experienced people.

OP: glad your repair was successful!

 

[shortlid]

Really then why seal avialable

I have seen both the distrbutor and the distributor shaft seal for sale. Why would they sell it if not servicable?:dunno:

 

[HondaTechAV6]

I have seen both the distrbutor and the distributor shaft seal for sale. Why would they sell it if not servicable?:dunno:

5 & 7 in the pic?

( http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com...atcgry2=2000&catcgry3=4DR+EX&catcgry4=KA4AT&catcgry5=DISTRIBUTOR+(HITACHI)+(L4) )

7) the dist cap seal helps keep moisture from getting in the distributor. it's located, obviously, between the cap and distributor.

5) the dist housing o-ring keeps oil from leaking out of the cylinder head over the coolant temp sensors and a coolant hose, etc.

the dist has an internal seal that keeps oil from entering it from the camshaft area, what spins it. when it wears out oil seeps into the dist from the camshaft area in the cylinder head. this require dist replacement.

 

[shortlid]

ok

So when I pop the dist. cap off i will know if I need the external seal or replace the whole dist. The whole dist is well over $100 correct?:thumbsdow

 

[HondaTechAV6]

probably.

you have to ensure that the leak is coming from inside the dizzy though. sometimes a leak from the dizzy o ring in the cylinder head seeps down the dizzy and seepage seeps into the inside, so get a real nice deep look in there with a good flash light.

 

[shortlid]

Hitachi or TEC

When I go to get rotors and caps while I am in therethey keep asking me if the car has a Hitachi orTEC distributor?? VIN # though Dealer says Hitachi. Also screw holding on rotor seems to memared up on the slots, any tips on geting it out?

 

[shortlid]

Just dd the job

Well got the o ring from Honda since I heard from my Honda Independant repair shop after market does not fit well. Taking old hardened seal off was a bear without moving distibutor shaft! New went on easy with a coat of new synthetic oil. There was a 1/4 qt that leaked out when it was removed. The distibutor cap and rotor was in bad shape replaced while I was at it. However bad news is I saw one drip and a slight bit of weep coming from shaft drain INSIDE dizzy! Hope with outer seal fix it will stop, no oil other than drip inside. Don't want to replace the whole Hitachi dist. remaned are like $180!!!:thumbsdow