Hello my XJ brethren!
98 XJ 4.0 ~190k

Have a chirping distributor on cold startup which goes away when it warms up; seems to be progressively getting worse. Replacing the cap and rotor today didn't fix it. I'm going to pull it again tomorrow to check for play in the rotor shaft and try to get some lube in there, but per my research it seems like a new distributor may be the fix.

Assuming the rotor has play in it meaning it's going out - Any recommendations on which distributor replacement to get?

NAPA has a new assembly, any idea if it's any good? Used OEM? I want to get the best quality. I read to stay away from Cardone, and there's a cheaper Amazon one that's probably crap.
I'm willing to try and tear it apart if any of the bushings or bearings in there can be replaced easily enough.

Open to any other suggestions or other fixes, thanks!

 

I put a Cardone in and it's been totally fine.
Rockauto only has 3 listed (at least for my 97 that is) so I reckon there isn't much choice anyway- the other two brands I have no experience with.

 

They're likely all rebuilt in the same sweat shop.

 

Yeah - Selection is pretty slim. Glad to hear a good report on the Cardone one on Rock Auto, I'll probably just get that one.

Any other potential fixes without replacement? Or when the chirping starts, just a matter of time until total failure?

 

I used to squirt WD40 under the cam sensor and it would shut up for a few months, but it would come right back. Eventually, I pulled the distributor out, popped the drive gear off (mark it in relation to the shaft first) and took the shaft out. I found a build up of old burned oil on the shaft where the bushing sits. I cleaned all that out, lubed it up with some engine oil and put everything back together. It's been 2 years and no squeaking.

 

Haha. cardone is the rebuilder with the worst reputation!!

 

Sweet thanks! I'll try that today!

 

That's what I heard!

 

I had to replace the distributor on my 99 ~ 5 years ago. I ended up going cardone as well. Not a huge choice out there. Haven't had any problems with it.

 

Good to know!

Well I couldn’t get the distributor bolt off easily, I’ll have to tackle this later. There wasn’t any play in the rotor shaft though, which I thought was the indication it’s going bad. Put a bunch of fluid film in there for now.

 

a good dude installed a grease zerk, think he may have replaced the bushes as well

I know where his build thread is, its a good one, I will see what he did

 

I ended up squirting a bunch of Fluid Film under the cam sensor, and the squealing is gone for now!

Of course I already ordered the Cardone from Rock Auto.... should have waited a bit haha

 

The spray is just a bandaid.
Put the cardone in once it arrives