broken dizzy cap

[krick3tt]

Thought it would be a good idea to replace the dizzy cap while adjusting the valves as the old one had a bit of build up on the contacts.

While tightening down the new one I heard a bit of a grinding sound, similar to the sound of sand between two surfaces. Seems the tab in the
cap had not been ground down quite enough and the pressure of tightening it caused it to crack. I gave it no real notice and went on with my work.
Ah, the perils of being a novice quasi mechanic.

I had adjusted the valves and the no 3 cylinder still had a bit of a tapping noise so I removed the cover and checked it again which required me to
remove the cap to check the position of the rotor...good thing as that is when I found the new broken cap. No 3 had one valve misadjusted which
was the cause of the tapping. I think I may have used the .30mm gauge and not the .20mm
If I had not rechecked the valve I would have not noticed the cap being broken. Hate to think where that would have left me sitting. I put the old cap
on and am in the process of ordering a new cap for a spare.

[norcal pinz]

i had a new distributor cap break on me too it was the civilian cap the red material they are made from is brittle , when i tightened it down it cracked

[SolarImages]

Also noticed when i purchased my first civilian cap (red one) that the old index nub was still on it from i assume VW i had to dremel it off.

[krick3tt]

Further info:

I had purchased a cap from VW, with the tab intact, I ground it down but, apparently not enough.

I ordered a new cap from EI (they are one of the sponsors here) and it does come with the tab already ground off. Yeah!!!
Now I have a spare and when I take the doghouse off again I will replace the old one. Also got a new air filter from Napa...pricey little thing and it's not even gold plated.

[spandit]

Distributor? What's that?

[krick3tt]

Spandit,

Check your manual, it's in there.

[spandit]

Check my previous posts... it's not!



(I've installed MegaJolt distributorless ignition)

[krick3tt]

I see by your post that your pinz is not factory original. Does it help in a wet environment?

If you can give me a link to the product, I would like to check it out. Is it one of those things that are only found on
your side of the pond?

Thanks,
Morris

[spandit]

Morris,

It's not factory original, no.

MegaJolt (autosportlabs.org) is an American product so easier for you to get hold of.

It's been better in the wet than my old Pertronix setup - mine doesn't have a vent line to dry the distributor - did some deep splashing a few weeks ago & it was water being sucked into the carbs that stopped it, not ignition.... I'm hoping it will help with economy/power too as it's 3D rather than 2D spark advance