Distributor leaking through the cap....

[Wayne]

A new Toyota distributor is $680......ouch! According to the local Toyota parts guy the distributor cannot be rebuilt (no parts rebuild kit). So, I'm looking for an aftermarket part and Rock Auto has two listed Cardone $179 and Spectra Premier $181. Do any of you have any experience with these vendors and these distributors? Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Wayne

 

[scottryana]

Have you thought about replacing your distributor o-ring?

 

[Wayne]

I have replaced it.

 

[decoco]

so... where is it leaking from?

 

[JaketheSSnake]

iirc, the o-ring just leaks outside of the distributor. There is a seal on the shaft of the distributor that can leak into the cap and as said, its not serviceable. Interested to know how well the replacements work as well...

 

[Red Merle]

iirc, the o-ring just leaks outside of the distributor. There is a seal on the shaft of the distributor that can leak into the cap and as said, its not serviceable. Interested to know how well the replacements work as well...

It's absolutely serviceable, you just pull the distributor out, take the old seal off, jam the new one on, align the motor at TDC and align the distributor gear with the timing marks and shove it back in. Five minute job, tops. Mark the spot the distributor is mounted on it's bracket and you will be golden.

 

[Wayne]

It's not the external o-ring, it's leaking internally through the rotor cap.

 

[Red Merle]

It's not the external o-ring, it's leaking internally through the rotor cap.

Right, my explanation is for the inner o ring. Just follow the FSM if you don't believe me. You don't even have to take the cap off, just pull the whole thing out. It's literally one 12 mm bolt. The ring is orange, if that helps.

 

[decoco]

Right, my explanation is for the inner o ring. Just follow the FSM if you don't believe me. You don't even have to take the cap off, just pull the whole thing out. It's literally one 12 mm bolt. The ring is orange, if that helps.

it'll likely be brown or maroon by now.

 

[stkybgr]

I believe the OP is talking about a seal that is not shown in this diagram. @Wayne correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[JaketheSSnake]

The "other" seal is talked about at 19:20 in this video.

 

[Notch]

The internal seal is part of the Toyota distributor housing PN 19235 66020 . I just got one for under $175 shipped.

 

[Red Merle]

It's listed as the o-ring, it's orange, it cost less than $5. Just fix it. If you don't know about TDC, all that means is that you have to buy a 30 mm socket and turn the engine by hand, clockwise, until you see the 0 mark on the harmonic balancer line up with the hash mark on the block.

Pull the distributor and pop on a new ring. Follow my directions and go have a beer. Done.

 

[stkybgr]

Again that's not the o ring in question. It's inside the shaft.

 

[Red Merle]

Again that's not the o ring in question. It's inside the shaft.

What shaft? On the distributor? It only has one shaft and it isn't really attached to the engine, it's right on top. If oil is leaking down below, that is a separate issue.

 

[Notch]

 

[stkybgr]

Sorry, it's inside the housing, and seals the distributor shaft that's attached to the distributor gear that's turned by the camshaft.

 

[Mighty690]

Yep, Wayne is correct: the o-ring seals the housing externally (so oil doesn't migrate out around the outside of the housing where it enters the head), but the shaft bearing can seep oil. I have a fresh OEM o-ring on one of my rigs and I noticed that a little oil that has made it inside the distributor.

 

[cc93cruiser]

What shaft? On the distributor? It only has one shaft and it isn't really attached to the engine, it's right on top. If oil is leaking down below, that is a separate issue.

 

[Mighty690]

Not sure who that's directed to. But, if me, I'll be clearer. The o-ring does not seal the shaft. The shaft, btw, turns the rotor within the distributor housing. That's how the oil is getting into the distributor housing. Understand?