Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Strange deposits on Dizzy contacts

  1. 18th January 2011, 07:13 PM #1
    Mattskii
    Mattskii is offline Master
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    115
    Total Downloaded
    0

    Strange deposits on Dizzy contacts

    Thought I would start a new thread as this is a new question! lol

    I have just been checking the vacuum tube from the dizzy to the plenum. It does hold a vacuum. I think I tested it according to instructions! I disconnected it both ends, put my thumb over one end and then sucked on the other and blocked it with my lip. When I sucked on it while still attached to the plenu it just let air through, presumably from the plenum?

    While I was there I thought - you know what I have not looked at the dizzy or roter, So I popped the top off the dizzy. All the contacts have a strange white powdery, but quite hard deposit on them. See attacments:

    DSC03128.jpg

    DSC03129.jpg

    I have a spare dizzy cap, should I fit it, or is this normal?
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. 18th January 2011, 07:19 PM #2
    PhilipA
    PhilipA is offline Swaggie Subscriber
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Avoca Beach
    Posts
    14,152
    Total Downloaded
    0
    This is old age .
    It is aluminium oxide or something similar caused by zillions of sparks arcing between the rotor and those terminals. If the air gap becomes too big it can affect starting and idling.
    So I would replace the rotor and cap. BTW only ones in boxes marked Lucas( prince of darkness) . They cost 5 times cheapies, but cheapies are a major reason for no go.
    Regards Philip A
    BTW if you change the rotor, buy the new one . DO NOT TRY TO LEVER /PULL /REMOVE/JERK/TUG on the rotor.Break it up with a pair of multigrips and clean the bits off. ( or you vill be sorry)
    Regards Philip A
    Last edited by PhilipA; 18th January 2011 at 07:21 PM. Reason: more info
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  3. 18th January 2011, 07:45 PM #3
    Mattskii
    Mattskii is offline Master
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    115
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Thanks Philip,

    Very interesting. This dizzy cap has only done, according to the seller, about 2000 - 3000ks. He did tell me something baout having a cheaper roter arm on and it left scratches on it, so he changed to a different one. The one in there has Lucas printed on it, so the arm is lucas. The dizzy cap has "Made in Itally" printed on it. Funny thing is, the rotor arm looks really old and the dizzy cap look brand new.

    The spare he gave me with the car is in a green box with Lucas written on it - sounds good. It is hard black plastic with no markings or numbers or words of any sort on it. The bill (from CLR 4WD Parts) is for $23 - doesn't sound expensive. Does this sound right? I wonder if he has got a cheap one and put it in the Lucas box? I think the on in the car is Lucas........

    Part number STC8368. The box says Lucas DDB107
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  4. 18th January 2011, 08:20 PM #4
    Mattskii
    Mattskii is offline Master
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    115
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Just did a google immage search for lucas distributor caps. All the ones I could find have LUCAS ansd Made in England on the top of them.

    The one I have does not.

    Should I put it in?
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  5. 18th January 2011, 09:06 PM #5
    bee utey's Avatar
    bee utey
    bee utey is offline AT REST
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Crafers West South Australia
    Posts
    11,732
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Your cap is normal. Scrape the white deposit off gently with a small screwdriver. If massive wear has taken place then you will see big pits under the white stuff. Almost certainly you will not at that age. What matters is the distance between the tip of the rotor and the cap terminal. You can lay the rotor sideways in the cap, line up the centre mark with the carbon contact and check the gap. If it exceeds about 1mm replace the rotor.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  6. 19th January 2011, 12:26 PM #6
    Tank's Avatar
    Tank
    Tank is offline AT REST
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Moruya Heads/Sth. Coast, NSW
    Posts
    6,532
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Just clean the crud off the terminals, I use a small penknife, just gently scrape from top to bottom, the piece of crud usually pops right off, lightly scrape the metal surface to remove any residue, be extremely careful not to scratch the inside of the plastic cap, Regards Frank.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
« Changing fan belt TDi300 | Starting problems as discussed »

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Forum Rules

Search AULRO.com ONLY!
 Search All the Web!