Occasional spark from distributer to block

[Jeff K]

I was checking my engine and noticed an occasional spark jumping from the distributor to the engine block. Also the engine sounds like it was missing very slightly during that. It's not consistent but I want to fix it.

I heard it's probably a crack in the distributor cap.

Any suggestions? Also, can driving the car like this damage anything?

Thanks
Jeff

[LEVY]

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It could be a crack in the distributor cap but it could be also a bad wire or even a bad spark plug.

What hapens is the electricty will follow the shortest path to ground, if one of your wires is not contacting the spark plug, then a little oil/dust in your distributor cap may complete the path to ground.

Everytime you feel your engine missing is because the spark didn't reached your spark plug.

A loose wire is your main suspect.

Distributor cap is your second suspect, then a bad wire is your last suspect.

Has to be one of those!

Levy

You can drive your car a little but why if you can fix it realy easy?

Second answer to your signature question:

Restore someone else's Deloreans!



I was checking my engine and noticed an occasional spark jumping from the distributor to the engine block. Also the engine sounds like it was missing very slightly during that. It's not consistent but I want to fix it.

I heard it's probably a crack in the distributor cap.

Any suggestions? Also, can driving the car like this damage anything?

Thanks
Jeff

[Bitsyncmaster]

Where are you seeing the spark? Your spark should not be capable of jumping a gap larger than what the spark plug is gapped at unless you have an open plug wire.

[DMCMW Dave]

Pull the wires off the plugs one at a time and make sure that the connection didn't go down the side of the plug. If those are all good you'll need to check the connections at the distributor cap.

[Jeff K]

Pull the wires off the plugs one at a time and make sure that the connection didn't go down the side of the plug. If those are all good you'll need to check the connections at the distributor cap.

Ok Dave. one thing.. "connection didn't go down the side of the plug" - Sorry I don't understand that part. Like the wire cover is torn or bent?

[LEVY]

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He is telling you to make sure the end of the wire did in fact connected to the spark plug and did not went to the side of the plug!





Ok Dave. one thing.. "connection didn't go down the side of the plug" - Sorry I don't understand that part. Like the wire cover is torn or bent?

[Jeff K]

.

He is telling you to make sure the end of the wire did in fact connected to the spark plug and did not went to the side of the plug!


Got it! Thanks!

Hmm, I hope I can check the connection to the plugs without taking off the intake. I guess if I have to check the connection to the distributor cap I will have to take it off.

Funny, it runs are starts fine.. except for this little glitch.

[Jeff K]

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Second answer to your signature question:
Restore someone else's Deloreans!
Lol! I wish I read this before. We did most of the work ourselves, my friend is the real mechanic. I did the interior, some electrical. The doors etc.

[Ron]

Second answer to your signature question:

Restore someone else's Deloreans!
lol :wrenchin: