Loose Rotor-electronic ignition

[quiesence65]

Our early model A4 has an electronic ignition...works great....however the rotor is extremely loose. In fact, a friend who did some service work on it up in Killarney last summer put a small washer under it to tighten it up. My question is......There must be a more proper fix.....I keep waiting for an issue to pop up......but so far so good.... Has anyone else had a loose rotor problem and what is the best fix?

[Dave Neptune]

Replace

q, there is only one fix and that is new rotor to go with the new cap!! Don't mess around with ignition parts fix them properly! Could be the wrong rotor and it is just getting by. Cap and rotor should always be replaced as a set only!!!

Dave Neptune

[sastanley]

What Dave said..the rotor has a spring loaded contact on it, so it reaches the contact point in the top of the rotor. Sounds like the washer is serving the function of raising the rotor up to make contact.

Are you sure the cap is seated correctly? It is keyed and should have a cutout for the two wires from the electronic ignition, but not all of them do..sometimes you have to notch the cap yourself...but it should end up level on the distributor.

I don't replace them every year, but caps & rotors are cheap, so I consider them a maintenance item, like the water pump impeller, and change them out every couple years on principal.

I personally have had the other problem..I had to break the magnetic collar of the electronic ignition that goes on the distributor to get it low enough on the shaft to get the rotor key to seat down on the notch of the dizzy shaft.

[quiesence65]

Loose Rotor

Is the distributor and Rotor available at the usual auto parts stores or do I have to go to the Mother Lode....ie. Moyer Marine?

Thanks for the input!!!

[Dave Neptune]

Get what u pay 4

q, it is just a standard distributor and yes the parts are available all over. The thing is that not all are quality parts and most are not the marine cap required by the CG. Going to our host first supports this site (how much did you save here) and you will get the right part every time!!!

Dave Neptune

[sastanley]

I always support Moyer when I can, but I do not buy every part from them. I have a local marina (Zahniser's) that has a well-known A-4 mechanic on staff, so they also stock lots of A-4 parts.

If you want to try out buying parts at the auto boutique of your choice, use this link as a guide. Most do not know what an Atomic 4 is, but they usually stop hassling you with the "what type of car?", if you just give them direct part numbers. For example, the late model Delco distributor parts have several cross reference numbers.

http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/atomic4/atomic4parts.htm

[quiesence65]

Rotor

I buy almost everything from MM......however, as you can see I live North of the '49th......which usually means more $$$$, duty, shipping, etc...and at least 10 business days to get the part!.....So........if a NAPA store or something like that have the basic stuff I try to save a few days and a few bucks!!

[sastanley]

I totally understand..I have a NAPA between work and home, and sometimes it makes more sense than ordering from Moyer...however, us frequent contributors always push the sponsor's products when we can, since that is what keeps this site alive!!

[Elizabeth_B29]

I had a loose rotor issue too - caused timing issue

I found that the rotors from NAPA would not fit down snug on the distributer shaft, Caused havoc in the timing venue. Best to get two from Moyer, one spare one for the engine now. See my threads for details and good luck!

Elizabeth B29

[JOHN COOKSON]

q, it is just a standard distributor and yes the parts are available all over. The thing is that not all are quality parts and most are not the marine cap required by the CG. Going to our host first supports this site (how much did you save here) and you will get the right part every time!!!Dave Neptune

+1
You'll also notice that the distributor cap you get from the "boutique" auto parts store will (most likely) have aluminun or some other cheapo metal contacts not copper contacts.
The cheapo boutique cap and rotor will last ~ 6 months before they die. DAHIK

TRUE GRIT

[quiesence65]

Loose Rotor

I've decided to give Ken a call at Moyer, and order up the right parts.....may even replace my really old water pump at the same time!
Thanks for the various input from everyone!!!

[Jeff in TO]

q, it is just a standard distributor and yes the parts are available all over. The thing is that not all are quality parts and most are not the marine cap required by the CG. Going to our host first supports this site (how much did you save here) and you will get the right part every time!!!

Dave Neptune

Dave, a comment on your post above. I just bought a new cap from Moyer, received it yesterday. It's in an AUTOMOTIVE box. Not disputing the quality, as well as supporting this amazing community - but this is clearly an automotive part. (not that I have a problem with that, either. Other than it contradicts your statement above).

Jeff

[Dave Neptune]

Jeff, how is it constructed, with brass lugs or the aluminum? They all come in boxes and there are many available some are for marine use.

Don't know what to say .

Dave Neptune

[Jeff in TO]

On the box, it's clearly labelled "professional quality automotive parts"

I think it's perfectly fine - not a concern about the quality. The contact points appear to be brass (yellow metal).

Curious as I'm not aware, you mentioned:..." The thing is that not all are quality parts and most are not the marine cap required by the CG"...

Do you know what it is specifically CG requires in a cap?

[ndutton]

Do you know what it is specifically CG requires in a cap?

The USCG requires the distributor assembly to meet SAE J1171 ignition proof standard. This is done by a specific testing protocol involving a propane rich atmosphere (no doubt because of propane's similar properties to gasoline vapor) and spark production inside the distributor. If the test atmosphere ignites the component design fails.

Spark producing components on our engines and equipment within the engine space are required to meet the same standard.