Why should you replace your distributor?
Most late model vehicles that still use a distributor, can have 20-50,000 volts running through it. This voltage has to move from the coil, into and through the distributor and out through the spark plug wire and through the spark until it ignites inside the cylinder. Many times worn spark plugs and wires can back this voltage up into the distributor and/or ignition coil and cause it to short out and fail. Performing a tune up often (every few years) can prevent this from happening and can save or preserve the life of a distributor. Many other factors can cause a distributor to fail. These other factors include:
- Worn or excessive play in the timing belt or chain
- Leaking o-ring at the base of the distributor
- High resistance in the spark plug wires or spark plugs
- Worn Distributor cap, rotor, or other worn ignition components