distributor issues

[k-mart]

white dust CAKED all over. i also noticed that there was a nice groove carved into the rotor button, looks like i will be picking one of those up later today.

i have learned that RED/ORANGE dust is a sign that the bearing is about to give, but what about WHITE dust?

background info: the distributor i bought new (remanufactured) when i swapped in the H23 at the end of last summer (July '05). so the cap and rotor are of the same age, spark plug wires and plugs fairly new also.

other recent problems: horrible hesitating/misfiring all throughout the entire RPM range. no CEL's, perfect idle, and one big headache.

any insight would be much appreciated.

[maroonaccord2.2]

Use HONDA parts i.e. cap/rotor, I had used Neihoff parts, and had a misfire at idle the car would even die sometimes. I had also replaced the distributor, but I bought a new HONDA part. Do you have any distributor end-shaft play?

[CoPilot1]

that's a sign of an overheated distributor i believe. i would replace the whole thing if it were me

[Maple50175]

what part is the rotor? I Was going to replace this and i hear it's easy.

well the cap and rotor

[maroonaccord2.2]

In the top pic, the rotor is pinched between the cap, and the inside distributor cover (for the electronics) All you can see is the mating collar for the rotor sticking out with the metal clip in it. You could have fried your ignitor module.

[F22-GURU]

Looks like you've busted that Cocaine Smuggling cartel from Columbia.
Sneaky bastards will hide that shit anywhere.

[sj960]

Looks like you've busted that Cocaine Smuggling cartel from Columbia.
Sneaky bastards will hide that shit anywhere.

ROFL ^^^
That is crazy white dust tho, even overheating, what would flake off thats white in there???? thats so weird

[k-mart]

overheating huh? anyone else feel that is the culprit?

[bruno8747]

Get a new cap and rotor. Then spray the inside of the distrubitor with electrical cleaner. Then put it back on and see if that helps.

[TypeG]

that's carbon tracking. that's also the worst i have seen. it has to do with coil problems. check the resistance between the coil terminals with an ohmmeter. also, check the resistance of the spark plug wires. each wire should measure less than 25,000 ohms. make sure the wires are tight on the coil. probably wouldn't hurt to check the ignition timming while you are at it. later.

[That1guyN8]

well the more I think about it, when i did a tune up on my accord, I noticed the same white stuff your talking about, but it was only on my cap.
I did the tune-up about 2months ago. I'll check tomorrow and see what it looks like and get back with you.

[k-mart]

well the more I think about it, when i did a tune up on my accord, I noticed the same white stuff your talking about, but it was only on my cap.
I did the tune-up about 2months ago. I'll check tomorrow and see what it looks like and get back with you.

thanks man, i would REALLY appreciate the followup.

that's carbon tracking. that's also the worst i have seen. it has to do with coil problems. check the resistance between the coil terminals with an ohmmeter. also, check the resistance of the spark plug wires. each wire should measure less than 25,000 ohms. make sure the wires are tight on the coil. probably wouldn't hurt to check the ignition timming while you are at it. later.

thanks for the insight Brian. i will jump on that pronto!

[91accordwagon]

Agreed the culprit is caused by carbon tracking (the electrical spark traveling from tower to tower) and I'd have to agree that is the worst I've ever seen and I've seen some nasty ones in my time, 25k is a little high resist for the wires, you should have less than 12k of resistance per foot of wire, i.e a two foot wire should have 24k or less and even if it was nearing the 24k I would replace the wires, check your plugs for a gap, build up, anything odd. Inspect your igniter (module) no real resistance checks, just checking to make sure there are no opens between terminal 2/3 and 2/4. Check your timing, and check for a reference signal by probing the blue wire our of the two prong connecter next to the 8 prong connector out of your distrib (TDC/Crank/cam sensor) If all checks out than replace your cap and rotor and keep rolling

[F22-GURU]

Check your timing, and check for a reference signal by probing the blue wire our of the two prong connecter next to the 8 prong connector out of your distrib (TDC/Crank/cam sensor) If all checks out than replace your cap and rotor and keep rolling

The Blue Wire is only an RPM output!!

I think oots the Ignition Coil Captain, she's goot too mooch poower going through it, I no think she can take it. She's gunna blow I tell ya. Oh Shit too late.

[That1guyN8]

thanks man, i would REALLY appreciate the followup.

Well I just checked it and there were very very little deposits of that white powder. You could hardly tell it was there.