How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (Internal Oil Leak)
 

After removing the cap and rotor remove the three screws that hold the shaft assembly in place. You will most likely need some small vice grips or else the screws will strip fairly easily.

Attachment 485522

Then take the snap ring off and the pin will fall out. This allows the shaft to slide right out.

Attachment 485523

With the shaft out remove the pickup. So you won't damage it removing the seal. Tap the new seal in lightly so you won't damage it.

Attachment 485524

Here is the dizzy housing seal removed, compare to the new one.

Attachment 485525

Here is where the o-ring is located

Attachment 485526

The seal was purchased at partstrain.com

Re: How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (2accrds)
 

Great lil writeup with pics https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif
How much did the seal cost?

Re: How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (professorman)
 

It was about $12 before shipping, just go to partstrain.com.

Sorry for my ignorance. Did you replace internal seal and external o-ring? I just replaced my external o-ring and learned that the shaft has a lot of play. I wonder if there's bearing inside (if any) was worn out.

Thanks

Re: (deklao)
 

I replaced both the o-ring and seal. You can see where the bearing is in pic 3 next to my finger. It is held in place by the three screws. You would most likely have to press it on and off to replace. My bearing was fine so I didn't replace it.

Re: (2accrds)
 

ok i'm pissed! about a year ago mine started to leak so I just grabbed a new distributor from Honda. I looked for a week to find this seal. Guess I should of looked harder! Oh well, now I have a good distributor for sale. The old one with a new seal.

Thanks man, that's some good news that you can get the seal.

Re: (JGAccorn)
 

i'm pissed too jgaccorn, cause mine was leaking internally and i went 2 napa and got me a new dist. i'll keep this post in mind next time

Re: How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (2accrds)
 

Added to the FAQ https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif

Re: How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (TouringAccord)
 

Sorry I missed this new thread and kept posting on the old one... https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emhammer.gif

Anyway, I used the previous write up and replaced the O-ring. The pictures really helped! Thank you.

However, I could not remove the distributor because the electrical connectors did not want to detach. I did press the tab and pulled hard on the casing... no luck. I stopped short of using vice-grip to pull them apart. Any suggestions?

Re: How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (Lapog)
 

WARNING! Be sure to reinstall the part that interfaces with the cam in the same postion it came off the distributor shaft. If you do not, you will have the distributor 180 degrees out. The tangs are offset, not centered, which is how you can only put it in one way to the cam. However, you can rotate it 180 when you put the pin back on the shaft. Your engine will not run if you do this. I found out today. Thanks again for the pics and info.

Re: How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (kbud)
 

Thanks for the warning and sorry to hear that your story. Hope it did not damage anything.

Re: How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (Lapog)
 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lapog &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">However, I could not remove the distributor because the electrical connectors did not want to detach. I did press the tab and pulled hard on the casing... no luck. I stopped short of using vice-grip to pull them apart. Any suggestions? </TD></TR></TABLE>

flathead https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...es/emsmile.gif use it to unhook the clips you might have3 to pull with a little force..those plugs probably havent been unhooked in years huh? and I dont know if this has been said but REMEBER TO MARK YOUR TIMING!!! with a permenat marker when you take teh dissy off the head..just draw a line...

Re: How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (CD5 Jeebies!)
 

Well, actually I did use a flat head to keep the tab open and still it wouldn't slide out. Perhaps I was too gentle, but the marks on my fingers tell me I was not https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emsmileo.gif

Anyway, I'll give it a go again soon. May be I'll really tug hard this time, if it breaks, so be it https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...es/emdgust.gif

Yes, I did mark the position of the rotor (wrt to distributor body) and drew several lines all over the distributor housing aligning with the body of the engine. Putting it back couldn't have been easier https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif

Now, waiting for the seal to arrive to dismantle again... sometime next weekend.

Re: How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (Lapog)
 

No damage done. Wasted a couple of hours for me trying to figure it out. Anyway, I used a chisel to lightly mark across the distributor body and rocker assembly (top mounting bolt on the distributor) to give a reference point for the timing. I was afraid to use a marker since I knew I would be using carb cleaner to clean all the oil off. When I reinstalled the distributor, all I had to do was line the marks up.

Re: How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (kbud)
 

I never understood how people could do that. Hell, I didn't even think it could be done.

My friend had replaced a coolant hose and removed the distributor to get to the hose easier. When they put it back on the car didn't run and they couldn't figure it out. So they call me and I go over and take a look. Go to take the distributor off and that things was really wedged in there. It should be pretty easy.

If you have to force it in then you know it's off.

Re: How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (TouringAccord)
 

If I just want to replace the external seal (where the distributor butts up against the head and the camshaft end bearing), do I just pull the dist, wedge the new little seal in there, and reverse? I noticed the outside seal looked pretty brittle when I took off my rocker arm assembly a few days ago, but I didn't think to preemptively buy one so I couldn't do it at the time.

Re: How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (Secret Chimp)
 

That's what I did. Should be 15min job max., if you have the right tools. Remember to clean out the area where old O-ring was.

Oh! the oil will leak down the transmission and create a little pool right below where the tranny-drain is. It worried me first time, until I bent down under the car and looked up to see the oil slick. https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emsmileo.gif

Re: How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (Lapog)
 

My car doesn't leak anything, but my lower rocker arm oil seals literally snapped in half when I pulled them out to replace them, so that little thing can't be in much better shape https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emsmilep.gif

Sorry for my ignorance. Did you replace internal seal and external o-ring? I just replaced my external o-ring and learned that the shaft has a lot of play. I wonder if there's bearing inside (if any) was worn out.

Thanks

sorry. I have this page up for days and just click refresh. Evidently, it re-submit my reply. Ignore this please.

BTW, good thread.

Re: (deklao)
 

I have a '99 Accord and the distributor is also leaking oil on the inside. I got stuck on removing the pin at the base. My distributor doesn't have a ring that holds the pin. It's just a pin that is force fitted. I've tried hammering it out, but to no avail.

Attachment 485357

Do I need to hit it harder? I'm afraid to break something. Or maybe, once removed, it won't go back in as tight?

Any help would be great.

Thanks.


Modified by 2BFI at 1:58 AM 2/7/2008


Modified by 2BFI at 2:00 AM 2/7/2008


Modified by 2BFI at 2:04 AM 2/7/2008

Re: How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (Lapog)
 

Kbud, you saved my day. I am glad I read your warning. I took mine out when I put it back in, the car didn't start. I turned it 180 degree, put it back, and started right up.

Two more WARNINGS , people.

When I took mine out, one part of the cap seal was hanging outside. That explain why my rotor got stuck to the shaft since it rusted. I had to spray DW-40 on it for couple hours. so be careful when you put the cap back on. Make sure the seal is seating properly.

I also learned that the shaft was too loose. the little black piece (see picture 3) was pushed too far up. I just moved it down by hitting it with hammer lightly.

The car is running smoothly now.

2BFI, you may have an after market shitty part. I may be wrong though. I would go the auto part and ask to see one.

Good Luck
http://is.rely.net/1-92-29998-l-1gbM...AmVuBW3hGg.gif

Re: How-To: Replace Internal Seal of Distributor (deklao)
 

deklao, my distributor is an OEM part. I haven't changed it since the car was bought from Honda.

Re: (2BFI)
 

Make sure that when you are hitting the pin the base is taking the impact and not the shaft or housing. Then, swing away.

2BFI, I would still go to auto part to see and compare the part. Maybe your model is different.