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Do It Yourself Distributor Change



 
 
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  #1  
Old June 19th 05, 08:37 PM
Genboy
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Default Do It Yourself Distributor Change

I have a 98 Civic LX (L4, PFI, SOHC 1.6L) with about 115k miles.
Recently the malfunction lamp has been coming on. The Honda Dealer says
the diagnostic suggests the distributor needs to be replaced. The cost
is $305 for the part and $79 for the labor.

Is this something I can replace myself? I'm handy, but not a mechanic
-- I've worked on my old Corvair, old Malibu, done brake work,
installed all my own audio equipment. But no real engine work and no
real tools other than the basics (no timing light, etc).

Also, what are the odds that this malfunction really requires just a
new cap, or rotor, or other sub-part? And would I be able to tackle
changing one of those by myself? I certainly have replaced a rotor cap
before...but is there a gotcha waiting for me?

Thanks!

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  #2  
Old June 19th 05, 09:28 PM
jim beam
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Default

Genboy wrote:
> I have a 98 Civic LX (L4, PFI, SOHC 1.6L) with about 115k miles.
> Recently the malfunction lamp has been coming on. The Honda Dealer says
> the diagnostic suggests the distributor needs to be replaced. The cost
> is $305 for the part and $79 for the labor.
>
> Is this something I can replace myself? I'm handy, but not a mechanic
> -- I've worked on my old Corvair, old Malibu, done brake work,
> installed all my own audio equipment. But no real engine work and no
> real tools other than the basics (no timing light, etc).
>
> Also, what are the odds that this malfunction really requires just a
> new cap, or rotor, or other sub-part? And would I be able to tackle
> changing one of those by myself? I certainly have replaced a rotor cap
> before...but is there a gotcha waiting for me?
>
> Thanks!
>

it's easy enough to do, but i believe you need a timing light.

why replace the distributor? what's the code you're getting from the
obdc? [if you don't know how to read the code, go to a parts store &
get it read for free.]

  #3  
Old June 20th 05, 02:52 AM
Nightdude
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Posts: n/a
Default

You don't need to get a code. My distributor bearings got destroyed and so
did the housing. Mind you, this was on a 86 Predule Si




"jim beam" > wrote in message
...
> Genboy wrote:
>> I have a 98 Civic LX (L4, PFI, SOHC 1.6L) with about 115k miles.
>> Recently the malfunction lamp has been coming on. The Honda Dealer says
>> the diagnostic suggests the distributor needs to be replaced. The cost
>> is $305 for the part and $79 for the labor.
>>
>> Is this something I can replace myself? I'm handy, but not a mechanic
>> -- I've worked on my old Corvair, old Malibu, done brake work,
>> installed all my own audio equipment. But no real engine work and no
>> real tools other than the basics (no timing light, etc).
>>
>> Also, what are the odds that this malfunction really requires just a
>> new cap, or rotor, or other sub-part? And would I be able to tackle
>> changing one of those by myself? I certainly have replaced a rotor cap
>> before...but is there a gotcha waiting for me?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>

> it's easy enough to do, but i believe you need a timing light.
>
> why replace the distributor? what's the code you're getting from the
> obdc? [if you don't know how to read the code, go to a parts store & get
> it read for free.]
>



  #4  
Old June 20th 05, 06:00 AM
Steve
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Default

We will be wondering why you need a dist chg, but regardless I feel you can
do it. The distributors only fit in one way and you will need to retime it
when done, (got a timing light?)


--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Undercar Specialist


"Genboy" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I have a 98 Civic LX (L4, PFI, SOHC 1.6L) with about 115k miles.
> Recently the malfunction lamp has been coming on. The Honda Dealer says
> the diagnostic suggests the distributor needs to be replaced. The cost
> is $305 for the part and $79 for the labor.
>
> Is this something I can replace myself? I'm handy, but not a mechanic
> -- I've worked on my old Corvair, old Malibu, done brake work,
> installed all my own audio equipment. But no real engine work and no
> real tools other than the basics (no timing light, etc).
>
> Also, what are the odds that this malfunction really requires just a
> new cap, or rotor, or other sub-part? And would I be able to tackle
> changing one of those by myself? I certainly have replaced a rotor cap
> before...but is there a gotcha waiting for me?
>
> Thanks!
>



  #5  
Old June 20th 05, 06:07 AM
Steve
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Often in this group I see people replacing parts in the distributor to get
the car running. While this works, I feel replacing the entire distributor
when there is a failure is the best option (when money permits). This
freshens up the entire FI and coil system on newer cars, and on older cars,
well that's a judgment call due to the price of some of the distributors.
Anyway, I have seen several Honda's distributors seizes up, and one even
broke the cam.
So for safety, replace the distributor when there is a problem.



--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Undercar Specialist

"Nightdude" > wrote in message
...
> You don't need to get a code. My distributor bearings got destroyed and so
> did the housing. Mind you, this was on a 86 Predule Si
>
>
>
>
> "jim beam" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Genboy wrote:
>>> I have a 98 Civic LX (L4, PFI, SOHC 1.6L) with about 115k miles.
>>> Recently the malfunction lamp has been coming on. The Honda Dealer says
>>> the diagnostic suggests the distributor needs to be replaced. The cost
>>> is $305 for the part and $79 for the labor.
>>>
>>> Is this something I can replace myself? I'm handy, but not a mechanic
>>> -- I've worked on my old Corvair, old Malibu, done brake work,
>>> installed all my own audio equipment. But no real engine work and no
>>> real tools other than the basics (no timing light, etc).
>>>
>>> Also, what are the odds that this malfunction really requires just a
>>> new cap, or rotor, or other sub-part? And would I be able to tackle
>>> changing one of those by myself? I certainly have replaced a rotor cap
>>> before...but is there a gotcha waiting for me?
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>

>> it's easy enough to do, but i believe you need a timing light.
>>
>> why replace the distributor? what's the code you're getting from the
>> obdc? [if you don't know how to read the code, go to a parts store & get
>> it read for free.]
>>

>
>



  #6  
Old June 20th 05, 05:59 PM
Genboy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Sounds like I should try to get a read on that code, to make *sure* I
am fixing the right problem. While I've been happy with my Honda dealer
for the first 115k miles, I have always been a little suspicious
because every time I bring in the car, they find something that costs
about $400 to fix. So I will get a read on the code, and consider
picking up a timing light. More later, thanks for all the replies. --RS

  #7  
Old June 20th 05, 06:06 PM
Genboy
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Default

Hmmm, I got the cold shoulder from two auto parts stores on that
suggestion....are they afraid of liability?

  #8  
Old June 21st 05, 03:44 AM
jim beam
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Default

Genboy wrote:
> Hmmm, I got the cold shoulder from two auto parts stores on that
> suggestion....are they afraid of liability?
>

shouldn't be. google here for who does free code reading. you can also
buy readers now for not too much money - with obdc everywhere now, i
think this a good investment.

 




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