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Oil inside distributor

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Old 08-25-2012, 02:10 PM
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Default Oil inside distributor

Hey everyone,

Well, I have an interesting problem. While doing a tune-up today I found oil inside my distributor! All of my research has failed to turn up an answer.

I know there's a gasket on the bottom of the dizzy, but would that allow oil inside? All the diagrams I've looked at show there's no o-ring on the shaft.

Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Any help is appreciated!

Regards,

Kennen
Old 08-25-2012, 02:11 PM
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Odd.
Old 08-25-2012, 02:13 PM
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the shaft has a bearing in it, that bearing has a seal and more than likely has failed, I don't know if the make a rebuild kit for the distributer that's available at the parts houses. You may end up just replaceing the distributor
Old 08-25-2012, 02:49 PM
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Air filter box full of oil too?
Old 08-25-2012, 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Turbo X_J
Air filter box full of oil too?
There has been a little, yes. My engine is getting old, and pumping some oil past the pistons. I cleared the CCV and associated tubing. That would make sense that crankcase pressure could push oil past the bearing seal into the distributor.
Old 08-25-2012, 04:54 PM
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theres a brass bushing in dist housing most likely getting wore out id just get new dist and replace b4 it gets any worse oil and spark can cause big issue in there
Old 08-25-2012, 06:21 PM
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New dist, cap and rotor on order...
Old 08-25-2012, 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted by timber.tiger
New dist, cap and rotor on order...
did the synch sensor come with it ? save hassle changing it
Old 08-25-2012, 07:14 PM
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Originally Posted by freegdr
did the synch sensor come with it ? save hassle changing it
I don't know, but will be certain to ask! The parts place said they'll have to make a few calls on Monday. Anything else I might need to know? Haven't replaced a dist. on an XJ before (other rigs, yes)... seems there's more than the obvious...
Old 08-25-2012, 07:19 PM
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Autozone carrys it as for replacing just mark location and put back samexway it came out
Old 08-25-2012, 07:22 PM
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Right on. Everything I've read seems pretty straightforward. Thanks for everyone's help; I'll let ya know how it turns out!
Old 08-25-2012, 07:52 PM
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Early 4.0s had an issue with oil coming up the shaft and messing up the sync generator inside. Solution was to replace the distributor with one that had grooves in the shaft that spun the oil DOWN.
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