Key Takeaways
The following are the key takeaways from this article:
- The engine distributor is a component responsible for igniting the sparkplugs in the right firing pattern.
- The distributor comprises the distributor cap, rotor, points, etc.
- Common problems in distributors include the misalignment of the crankshaft, defective ignition model, and loosened distributor cap.
- The common symptoms of a bad distributor can include foul engine sound, difficulty in starting the car, and failed emission tests.
- It will take around $70-$130 to replace an engine distributor.
Introduction
The combustion process can begin with sparking the air-fuel mixture. So, the ignition coil sends a high voltage to the sparkplugs in the cylinders for igniting the fuel. However, this ignition should occur in the correct firing order, so the cylinders fire accurately (1).
The automakers have designed an engine distributor for this purpose. An enclosed rotating switch that routes high-voltage current from the coil of the ignition to the spark plug, and in the correct firing order.
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This article will discuss a bad distributor’s history, function, common problems, and symptoms.
History of Engine Distributor
The distributor engine was first designed in 1910, and the main aim was to resolve the ignition issues in the engine system. Delco first designed it. Initially, Delco used iron to manufacture the distributor engine, but it was heavy, and thus it became difficult to rotate the system. With the development in technology, stainless steel and Bakelite are mostly used to manufacture the distributor as it is light in weight and have durable life (3). The engine distributor works to move the cam and rotor in circular motions.
The function of an Engine Distributor
The distributor in the engine is an essential part that is present in the internal combustion chamber. The main purpose of this part is to ignite the spark in the engine by routing the high voltages.
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The distributor has the rotor, and the rotor’s movement depends upon the movement of the crankshaft and camshaft. The gear is responsible for the rotation of the distributor. There are three main purposes of the distributor engine. Firstly, the aim is to produce the spark in the ignition coil (1). Also, it is responsible for operating with the camshaft’s functioning, i.e., it controls the operation with time. Moreover, it plays an essential role in distributing the high-voltage coils to all the spark plugs of the cylinders. This voltage is thus distributed individually to all spark plugs.
Due to the movement of the cam, the breakers open and then are attached to the primary winding. This produces a high voltage in the secondary winding through the magnetization process (2). The high voltage produced is then passed to the central terminal of the distributor engine. Thus, this current is transferred to the outer body of the rotor with the aid of carbon brushes, and as a result, the rotor moves in front of the spark plug due to the high voltage. The spark is then generated in the cylinders.
The spark in each cylinder is then generated at accurate timings. Thus, the distributor plays a vital role in maintaining the performance of the ignition system in the cylinders.
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Common Problems with the Distributor’s Engine
Misalignment in the Crankshaft Position
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The major problem that arises in the distributor engine is due to the misalignment in the crankshaft. The crankshaft is an essential part of the engine, and the distributor’s performance depends upon the movement of the crankshaft.
The crankshaft operates on the sensors, and misalignment in the position of the crankshaft will send the wrong information to the electronic control unit. This will then impact the distributors’ movement; as a result, the sparks will not be generated in the cylinders at accurate timings (1). The order of the spark produced in the cylinder will be delayed, and the ignition system will fail. As a result, the engine system will fail to produce the required pressure and power. The engine’s performance will become idle and fail to accelerate over long distances.
Defected Ignition Module
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One of the major reasons for the defective distributors is the fault in the ignition system. An ignition system is an essential part of driving the vehicle. The main purpose of the ignition system is to produce a high amount of voltages and currents and then transfer it to the spark plugs.
Due to the damaged ignition module, a high amount of voltage is not produced, and as a result, the performance of the distributor is impacted. In addition, the high voltage will not be supplied to the engine cylinders, and the spark is not generated due to the minimum voltage (3). Thus, the engine’s performance will be disturbed as the vehicle experiences vibrations. Also, certain noise is produced in the engine, indicating problems with the distributor system of the engine.
Loosened Distributor Cap
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As the distributor part of the engine consists of the distributor cap, coils, rotors, and many other components, a defect in any single part of the system will hamper the system’s overall performance.
The distributor cap is the initial and the most important part of the system, and the purpose is to protect the internal part of the distributor from getting damaged due to external factors such as dirt and debris. Also, the purpose of this part is to maintain the connection between the rotor and the spark plugs (1). Thus, the damage to the distribution cap will weaken the connection between the spark plugs and the rotor. Thus, the rotor will not move according to the exact timings, and the production of the spark will be delayed. Not only will the delay in the spark be observed, but the dirt and debris will also enter the distributor system. This will damage the internal parts, which will corrode due to air and the external environment (5). This will poorly affect the engine’s performance, and as a result engine check light will illuminate as a warning sign.
Symptoms of a Bad Distributor
Following are a few symptoms of a bad distributor:
Car not Starting
Although starting a car seems to be a simple process, it requires specific events to happen. When the ignition is turned on, the battery delivers power to the engine to start and draw an air-fuel mixture (2). When the air-fuel mixture enters the engine, the spark plugs use the voltage supplied by the ignition coil to combust the mixture.
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However, if the distributor is gone bad, the spark plugs will not receive the current to ignite the fuel mixture. Hence, you will face difficulty in starting the car.
Other faulty components, such as a bad starter motor, sparkplugs, etc., can make it difficult to start a car (3). So, ensure the actual reason behind the difficulty in starting a car before ordering a new engine distributor.
Misfiring Engine
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A misfiring engine is always a symptom of inefficient fuel combustion in some cylinders. To further analyze which particular cylinder is misfiring, you can check the OBDII code by connecting a hand-code reader.
A misfiring engine can be felt through jerky motion or an idling car. When the engine distributor goes bad, the sparkplug will not ignite the air-fuel mixture resulting in the car stalling or backfiring (1). In this case, you should replace the distributor earliest to avoid further issues.
High-Pitch Noise from Under the Hood
High-pitch sound is always a sign that the distributor has gone bad. There can be different sounds, such as knocking and tapping, illustrating that the engines’ mechanical components have gone bad (4). But a high-pitch engine sound is a sign that the engine is backfiring due to a bad distributor.
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Similarly, you will also hear high-pitch noises when the debris is clogged inside the distributor, making it difficult for the bearings to rotate.
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Failed Emission Test
Unburned fuel leaving the engine can indicate that the sparkplugs/distributor has gone bad and the cylinder cannot burn the fuel. In this case, your vehicle might fail the emission test (2).
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Excess black smoke indicates that the engine cannot burn the fuel and the distributor has gone bad.
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Cost to Resolve a Bad Ignition Issue
The following table illustrates the cost of resolving bad ignition issues:
| Common Issues | Cost Required to Resolve the Issue |
|---|
| Bad Engine Distributor | $70-130 to replace the bad engine distributor |
| Bad Spark Plug | $60-140 to replace a single sparkplug |
| Bad Ignition Coil | $150-300 to replace a bad ignition coil |
| Bad Starter Motor | $80-350 to replace a bad starter motor |
Conclusion
To conclude, an engine distributor is a key part of the engine, especially if you own those conventional car models. The distributor sends the voltage in the right firing order to the cylinders helping in the combustion process. The major problems in engine distributors can be a misalignment of the crankshaft, defective ignition module, and loosened distributor cap. These problems are illustrated by a misfiring engine, high-pitched engine sound, and failed emission tests. Therefore, if you are facing any such issue, it is better to replace the distributor before the internal engine components get damaged.
FAQs
A typical engine distributor is sturdy enough to survive throughout the vehicle’s lifetime. But its components, such as the rotor, caps, points, etc., last only a short time. It would help if you got these components replaced after driving your car for 10k-20k miles. However, if there are no signs of malfunction, you should keep driving the car without changing these components.
Common causes of a bad engine distributor include carbon buildup inside the distributor. In addition, erosion due to high-voltage sparks can build up carbon inside the distributor. It will likely fail shortly if you see carbon building up around the distributor.
Not all modern cars have engine distributors. Modern cars are now being replaced by individual coil packs that are sturdy and less complicated.
