Holes in Distributor

[Mark Veal]

My distributor has two holes in the bottom with little screens. There is rust inside my distributor. Is this common? Is this not a Marine application distributor? Should I buy a new distributor and what kind? I'm running a 1998 Mercruiser 5.7 Mag MPI stock. I just replaced cap & rotor due to engine cutting out above 2K rpm, its the worst between 2-3K. This did not fix problem. It acts like its not firing on all cylinders or not advancing the spark. It comes and goes, started three years ago, has not gotten worse, and only happens around 50% of the time.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Holes in Distributor

The distributor needs to be serviced. Your spark advance is not working, due to corrosion around the centrifical weights. The rotor post may also have frozen slightly so it is not free to advance.<br /><br />The screens indicate that this is a marine distributor. The rust is a result of condensation or even water somehow getting upin there.<br /><br /><br />Good Luck!<br />Keith

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Holes in Distributor

Originally posted by KaGee:<br />The screens indicate that this is a marine distributor. The rust is a result of condensation or even water somehow getting upin there.

My question here is what purpose are the screens? (Hate to hijack this post original question, but it seems relevent)

 

[tommays]

Re: Holes in Distributor

a 1998 mpi motor does not use springs the advance is electronic in fact every thing is electronic it is a fuel injected motor<br /><br />the screens are used in a marine to due 2 things <br /><br />1 control moisture build up under the cap<br /><br />2 to keep any fumes that may build in the cap<br />from starting a bigger bang much like the flame Assertor on the air intake or carb on a regular motor they vent any flame slow enough that it does not spread<br /><br />on to the orginal question on a fuel injected motor its like working on a modern car you need the correct tools or you can not do anything but guess<br /><br />1 manual<br />2 fuel pressure guage<br />3 code reader<br /><br />tommays

 

[Mark Veal]

Re: Holes in Distributor

Thank you. I guess its back to the shop. It is a little more consistently bad now, so, maybe they can figure it out this time. Nice to know I do have the right distributor. I do have a enclosed engine compartment, so things do tend to steam up when its 115deg F at the Colorado River.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Holes in Distributor

Sorry Mark.... Blew right by your description "MPI" DOH!<br /><br />