ckysodkorn_xj

OK my buddy has a 98 cherokee and were both in high school and i just got done putting a new sending unit and fuel pump on his cherokee. well 2 days after that the distributor started making an orf noise like a seal (the animal you know the ones tht bounce the ball on their nose for fish?) and if you put your hand on the cap you can feel it vibrate. i've been working on this thing in my auto tech class and this is kinda for a grade and i was wondering if anyone could help me diagnose it. also he bought a new cap and rotor button and they don't fit like the oem part. the oem button you have to push down and the new on just kinda slides in. and the oem cap fits tight and the new one you can jiggle around.

ckysodkorn_xj

no one?

Throttle Jockey

any marks on the inside of the cap like the rotor is hitting? maybe a bushing in the distributor is bad.

ckysodkorn_xj

i was thinking a bearing... but not sure about marks ill call and ask him to look

Throttle Jockey

10-4, if a bearing/bushing in there is dry and trying to sieze, that could cause your noise. is this a high mile engine?

ckysodkorn_xj

don't think so. i don't remeber how many miles he has. i'd say around 150k

Throttle Jockey

can you pull it out next chance you get?

ckysodkorn_xj

tomarrow i want to run at it with loads of things to check so yeah. what all do i need to look and listen for

captainwoot

Mark the dist and remove it (get help from your instructor if not sure) put it in the vise(carefully) and remove the roll pin from the drive gear at the bottom , paying attention to how it is located to re-install. remove the shaft from the dist housing , by pulling and rotating the shaft. Once apart wire wheel the shaft and clean the housing (select a drill bit the same size as the shaft and run through the housing) lubricate the shaft and re assemble and re-install.
Good luck!

Throttle Jockey

if you have it narrowed down to the distributor, then id say pull it out and take it apart.

ckysodkorn_xj

sweet thanks for the help. ill be sure to do that.

98 JeepJeep

X2 on a bearing...not to sure on how much "taking" it apart i would do......Now that im older and a little wiser..i like to get Re-manufactured things..that way i get a warranty.

Throttle Jockey

agreed, but sometimes finances dont agree.

98 JeepJeep

very true...than i just resort to my next favorite choice Junk Yard!!

ckysodkorn_xj

well this is the oem dist. so.. it's 12 years old? haha don't think thiers a warrenty on anything anymore lol