Here is a video I have of my 2000 Integra LS distributor noise:
I originally thought maybe it was the valves needed to be adjusted which I had done last week. The noise is on cold startup and happens sometimes while at idle at a stop light. I read/viewed a few articles and videos stating a similar noise. I have also read that they will go bad in the future. Is there need to worry as it only happens on cold startup or should I be looking for a new one to prevent further damages.

 

take the cap off see if it's filled with red dust, it should more like the distributor than anything especially that scratchy sound that they are known for when going out.

 

Thats sounds like **** lol

inspect the distributor sounds like the bearing has exploded in there or something. But does sound like its from the head as well but idk.

 

Took it apart before the sun went down, and it was all clean inside. Rotor looks good and the 4 metal connectors look good. I changed them out exactly 1 year ago along with plugs, wires. I will update video for after valve adjustment once it warms up abit outside.

 

At this point I'm thinking of purchasing a replacement from a member on here. I put my ear to the head/valve part and it is more noticeable on the top left part of it, and when I put my ear on top of the distributor its real loud.

 

Don't replace the distributor, replace the bearing and seal. It's less than $20 in parts iirc.

 

Yup just did this a while back! real easy and cheap to replace the bearing and seal!

 

This sounds interesting I will have to look into it. Thank you!

 

I had this exact same issue on my 1994 Teg. Turns out it is a pretty common issue, and can be the distributor, but is more likely a loose timing chain. Search timing change tension procedure and follow it.

I found it a bit challenging to find the tools to squeeze down to the timing cover, but it cured the issue.


Chay

 

OOPS, timing belt obviously...lol

Team Integra has some good threads on it, but it seems to be down right now, or my computer is unhappy with the site or something.

Chay

 

The sound is coming from the wrong side of the engine to be related to the timing belt. You can tell in the video. Those also don't really get "loose" unless something else is wrong.

 

Not to be argumentative, but I don't think you know what you are talking about. there are many threads on this common issue out there.

The whole point is that the loose timing belt makes the distributor sound like it's bad. The noise definaltely comes from the distributor end when the timing belt is loose. Many have rebuilt their distributors, purchased known good distributors etc, only to find out it's not the problem.

I know, I found it hard to believe too, but it's true.


BTW, they get loose all the time, not sure where you are getting this info from!

Chay

 

When you had the issue did it only make the noise on a cold start up? Or was it all the time? I'm reading various articles on TI now about it.

 

I doubt its a loose timing belt, you would of had it skip teeth on the gears if it was so loose that it would make that sound.

Just pull off the vc and timing cover and check the belt tention with your hand on both sides and on top, If its tight and has good deflection its not the belt.

Have you inspected the intrernals of the dist.? pull it off and check the ign rotor and bearings its very easy..

 

Originally it made noise when cold for a few minutes then slowly increased to where it was almost all the time.

I can only say it worked for me. I have no idea whether the sound gets transmitted down the cams or something, or whether the loose belt variability caused the distributor coupling to rattle, but it does exist.

I can only say, perform the procedure correctly. Any deviation will not produce the correct results.

Good luck with it.

Chay

 

Here is cold start post valve adjustment:

 

here is how a bad distributor bearing sounds like