97 chevy k1500 5.7 vortec is burning distributor cap and rotor about every month
Asked by mitchwat Oct 05, 2016 at 09:30 AM about the 1997 Chevrolet C/K 1500 Silverado LB 4WD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
every month or two i am burning up distributor cap and rotor. I have
changed ICM, Coil, back to ACDELCO plugs. wondering if i need to go to
original ACDELCO distributor? I had the truck for about 4 years with no
issues, then about 2 years ago i had to replace the distributor, which ran
great for a few months and ever since, i have had to replace the cap and
rotor several times. I was also told to try going from lead cap and rotor
(which i did) to the brass cap and rotor. each time the cap and rotor seem
to have a green corrosion.
8 Answers
Can someone help me out on this?
Mine is doing the same thing and I have known of several others also doing it. I can hear the valves rattle in a pull so it makes me think the ignition system is firing too early in turn causing a longer than normal spark inside the cap. I have changed the knock sensor, which helped some. I also replaced the distributor and that seems to have helped a little more. I still have not figured out the cause. I know the timing is set by the computer. I'm thinking it could be the crank sensor of maybe even slop in the timing chain as I have almost 280K miles on this truck. If you have figured this out, please post the answer.
I did find this service bulletin. I'm not sure this is the same problem I'm having but it may help you or someone else. It is saying take the screens out of the bottom of the distributor housing. Bulletin #03-06-04-041A P0300 http://digitalcartography.com/n0eq/astro/DistributorScreen-GM-TSB.pdf
I have a 99 Chevy Tahoe and mines started doing that a year ago.. I've been through 4 cap and rotors just put another one on last month...... I've replaced spark plugs and wires , crank sensor, and cam shaft sensor. And even sealed the cap and rotor to keep moisture out,,I'm just waiting now to see what happens,,,
All that factory stuff is plastic. Replace with the aluminum distributor and you're golden.
Guru95C48N answered 3 years ago
Water is getting inside the cheaply made caps. Just put a thin layer of silicone around the edge when replacing and boom problem fixed.
Tried silicone, have replaced 5 times, just broke down again during rain storm. She just doesn't like the rain. So putting in aluminum distributor will fix. Will see.
jediknightprowler answered 2 months ago
I knew I was having misfires, so I tried a clear cap, and I could see the spark misfiring between 2 and 4 through the plastic in the cap. About to try another new cap, this time one from Accel that's supposed to be made out of a special polymer that won't allow misfires. We shall see.
