Oil Leaking From Distributor...
 

Hey folks,
I'm new to the forum. I was looking for some tires for my Protoge and found this site through a Google search. Pretty sweet. So since I found it, I figured I'd make good use of it! :)
I've got a '93 Protoge with a 1.8l DOHC with 5 speed manual transmission. The distributor is mounted into the side of the head right above the upper radiator hose. Well, it's leaking. Looks like it's leaking from around the shaft of the distributor itself and coming out form the cap, not from the o-ring that seals the distributor case at the head. Anyone else have this experience? Can I replace the seal on the inside shaft? I REALLY don't want to pay $200+ for a new distributor if I can avoid it!
Help!?

The Shop manual that I have does not show a procedure for rebuilding the distributor. It has a procedure for the alternator, so I think Mazda was not offering an easy way to rebuild it.

Did you try to replace the o-ring to see if that fixes it? It is only a few dollars to be sure that is not it. From your description, I'm guessing you see oil coming out from between the cap and distributor (at circumference of cap) and not along the engine?

JQ

JQ That's right. If I take the cap and rotor off, there is oil in the bottom of the distributor housing. You can trace the run down form the center near where the shaft comes through. There is some oil on the engine but it looks like it's mainly form where it seeps out of the cap and blows back onto the head. I may try that outer o-ring though just to be sure. It can't hurt. My manual didn't show anything for the distributor assembly break down either I don't think. I know I couldn't get anyone ot list a part for it. Just the distributor as a whole.

You may want to watch ebay for a used replacement. There are two used ones on there now, though one is from SOHC motor and I am not sure they are the same while the other doesn't specify.

For a used distrubutor, you'll probably want to replace the o-ring anyhow, so...
why not try replacing the o-ring first to see if that fixes the problem. If it doesn't fix it, just find a used one and move the o-ring to it.

JQ

That's probably the way I'll go. Still haven't gotten to the o-ring. I have to do the timing belt soon, so I'll tackle it all at the same time most likely. Thanks for the heads up!

Hey whats up .... You could always hit up the good ole junkyard and get one.... I have a junkyard here called crazy rays that I can get you one very cheap and sent it to you ... I think a distriputor will run around 20 or 30 bucks... :D

I might be going there this sunday to get some stuff for my ex-wifes 94 protege sohc 1.8 hit me on my e-mail llllow@yahoo.com and leave a number to be reached ....

Should have Bought A real Car Dum Ass VW Rules the World

ok, what did I miss? is there a reason you're acting like an a$$ today?

Hey low,
Just not that motivated on it yet. Besides, I have to wonder if I'd just run into the same problem with a junk yard distributor. I simply haven't decided yet...

cool man just let me know ....