[RPM]

Did the plugs (NGK Iridiums), distributor, and rotor myself and had my shop swap fluids - including transmission - and change the valve cover gasket and inspect cams/chains/tensioner. Got to admit I was dreading a phone call all day. "Well, we found the tensioner pad in pieces and the cam is missing a few lobes..."

But for once I was lucky! The cams all had nice and square edges, the chain was taught and good, and the tensioner in excellent condition. I am a firm believer in the 3,000 mile oil change for performance cars and attribute my happy news in part to that commitment.

Even better than no broken stuff was the car's response to all of this attention. It has shrugged off 16 years and thinks its a puppy again. Starts better, pulls harder, shifts smoother. Even my wife noticed the difference (she has a much shorter commute, my daughter had the Jetta, and I had to run errands at lunch).

When did you last replace your plugs, distributor, and rotor?

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[ds968]

<!--quoteo(post=69811:date=Apr 2 2009, 06:07 PM:name=RPM)-->QUOTE (RPM @ Apr 2 2009, 06:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->When did you last replace your plugs, distributor, and rotor?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Long, long time ago.. thinking at least 30k miles, maybe more. Time to do it, it's pretty cheap so why not ?! Thanks for the reminder [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

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[SILVY968]

I replaced the rotor and cap a few weeks ago and ran into a strange issue.

When I installed the new rotor, I assumed that re tightening the bolts would center the rotor, but much to my dismay it did not. When I put the cap back on and started her up I heard a rhythmic scratching sound coming from the cap. It sounded like a brake rotor or drum being turned on a lathe. It turned out that it was the rotor metal end cutting into one of the brass posts leading up to a spark plug socket.

I shut down asap and pulled the cap to find tiny metal flakes and a notch in the brass plug post. It was the one situated at 2 o'clock.
When I loosened the rotor bolts. I discovered that I could position the rotor more toward 7 o'clock to get the rotor to be centered in the cap.
I have never heard this mentioned and wonder what is going on with this much slop in the system.

Is something worn to allow this?
If so what?
Please chime in if this has even happened to anyone else or if anyone knows what allows the rotor to not sit exactly in the center of its world.

thanks
Brian

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[RPM]

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->When I installed the new rotor, I assumed that re tightening the bolts would center the rotor<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

My rotor centered exactly with the bolts. Did you put the rotor back in the same 'clock' position that the old was before removal.

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->it's pretty cheap<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I was actually stunned by the price of the cap and rotor. Sunset is probably cheapest, but I did not want to wait two weeks so I bought them from my shop - $130 for the pair!

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[cosimo]

Just had a major service done at IMA. I too have to admit the the car feels stronger and shifts smoother. It was 15K since the last major service this was done at 105K. I did have the water pump leak but it was under warranty. The only thing I didn't have checked was the injectors. I did have them cleaned at 90K but it doesn't take much time to have them checked and if needed cleaned. Now to work on some cosmetics in prep for Hershey but the weather isn't cooperating.

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[flash]

silvy - sounds like you were missing the spacers that go between the rotor and the cam gear - they are aluminum, about 1/2" diameter, and a little less than 1/4" thick

rpm - yup - these things don't last that long - sure, the car will still run, but it runs much better when they are fresh - i recommend changing them every year

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[PorscheDude]

<!--quoteo(post=69839:date=Apr 3 2009, 10:09 AM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Apr 3 2009, 10:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->silvy - sounds like you were missing the spacers that go between the rotor and the cam gear - they are aluminum, about 1/2" diameter, and a little less than 1/4" thick<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I think that may be the problem.


Also are you sure the quarter turn retaining screws are fully engaged on the cap?

Also this my help.

http://clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/ign-01.htm

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