moisture in MSD Dizzy?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
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From: Texas
moisture in MSD Dizzy?
What gives. I drove the project about 25 miles to a buddies. All gauges were reading typical, then it started running real rough. I pulled over and it died and would not start. I jacked with the timing a bit, since it looked to be getting fuel. It was acting like it did when I blasted the engine at the car wash. So, I pulled the cap, and sure enough it was moist in there. A little WD40 and I wiped it out with a paper towel and it's runing again. Hope it get's me home.
Anybody else have this problem? ANy suggested solutions? It looks like there was some dirty water sprayed over most of the engine compartment....maybe from a previous fan failure/overheat?? Or it was just from the road...
I dunno....but every time I go out of my little town, something happpens :-(
Anybody else have this problem? ANy suggested solutions? It looks like there was some dirty water sprayed over most of the engine compartment....maybe from a previous fan failure/overheat?? Or it was just from the road...
I dunno....but every time I go out of my little town, something happpens :-(
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,117
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From: Evanston, WY
I would think you would know it if you went through enough water to soak the distributor.
Maybe condensation from a previous car wash? If it happens again, pull your dizzy and give it a good spray of contact cleaner, cap as well. If it happens after that then it's time to find the source.
-Scouder
Maybe condensation from a previous car wash? If it happens again, pull your dizzy and give it a good spray of contact cleaner, cap as well. If it happens after that then it's time to find the source.
-Scouder
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
Originally Posted by Scouder
I would think you would know it if you went through enough water to soak the distributor.
Maybe condensation from a previous car wash? If it happens again, pull your dizzy and give it a good spray of contact cleaner, cap as well. If it happens after that then it's time to find the source.
-Scouder
Maybe condensation from a previous car wash? If it happens again, pull your dizzy and give it a good spray of contact cleaner, cap as well. If it happens after that then it's time to find the source.
-Scouder
this is exactly waht I came up with driving home. I was at the car wash on Saturday. I figure things got wet, and the moisture sat on the dizzy down near the rotor. Once the dizzy heated up enough (say after 20-25 miles) it vaporized and ended up on the cap.
On the good side, I'm feeling better about my mechanical abilities :-) I had nothing but a 3/8" open ended wrench in the truck (for timing adjustments). I called the folks I was going to see, and asked for a flat-head screwdriver some WD-40 and paper towels without opening the cap.....:-) They had sent the girls on a beer run, so that was exactly waht they brought...no more no less! I got to my biddies house, they were sitting in lawn chairs, drinking beers and racing RC cars......guess they weren't too worried about me.
WHat if I put a small bead of RTV on the cap? Or is it coming in through the wire holes???
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Evanston, WY
Sure. You can put RTV on all the places water can get in. Alot of 4 wheelers do it. I never did on my 2 wheeler (or 4 wheeler for that matter). I've always just tried to keep it dry at the car wash. If it gets wet, or even if it doesn't the wd40 trick is good, same with contact cleaner. Damn. Now you got me thinking about my old 2 wheel drive 390. I miss that ol' girl.
-Scouder
-Scouder
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FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Ya Greg that would be the ticket..too seal it off the best you can...you live in a high Humidity area as I do...well at times here..its real bad down south...
I have one of my Uncle's that had such a bad time with his Dizzy on his Vette..you know the slide up window in the cap that the points type vehicle's run? he took that off and made a silicone Pad to go in there, to seal his up better....
I have one of my Uncle's that had such a bad time with his Dizzy on his Vette..you know the slide up window in the cap that the points type vehicle's run? he took that off and made a silicone Pad to go in there, to seal his up better....
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Texas
guys, I went to wash the engine again yesterday. After, I pulled the cap and I cleaned and dried everything well. I have since been back in several times wit ha lite filing of all the terminal connections and blew all the moisture out real good (that last of which was brake cleaner).
It is still running bad. Like it's missing on one cylinder. I really don;t want to pull the plugs....is that the only next step aside from selling this POS. I just wish I could drive it 50 miles without something quitting :-(
It is still running bad. Like it's missing on one cylinder. I really don;t want to pull the plugs....is that the only next step aside from selling this POS. I just wish I could drive it 50 miles without something quitting :-(
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Well Greg, put on your insulated pliers and gloves, Fire that bad dog up and go around and pull one plug wire at a time...pay attention to the motor,what it sounds like,when ya pull the wire's one at a time and put them back in there place if the motor doesnt change Idle, you'll know that the plug thats fouled!! and ya dont have to pull all the plugs then?
Russ
Russ
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Texas
Well, I looked closer at the cap, and there si definite arc marking between two adjacent posts. So, I installed an old cap I had and it helped some. I think I need a new cap....again.
I'm not happy with this MSD ignition. In about 3 years I' ve been through (1) 6AL unit, 1 blaster coil, 2 Caps, 2 rotors and a set of wires!
That DUI is really looking appealing.
I'll try to get a pic of the inside of that cap. It's kinda cool to see that well defined mark from arcing. There may be a small crack that has filled with crap....I dunno. But it doesn't come out easily, whatever is is.
I'm not happy with this MSD ignition. In about 3 years I' ve been through (1) 6AL unit, 1 blaster coil, 2 Caps, 2 rotors and a set of wires!
That DUI is really looking appealing.
I'll try to get a pic of the inside of that cap. It's kinda cool to see that well defined mark from arcing. There may be a small crack that has filled with crap....I dunno. But it doesn't come out easily, whatever is is.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
OK, another $100 at Summit :-)
I spoke with the MSD techs. To my surprise, they suggestd the vented caps for humid areas. I think I definitely qualify!
2 caps, 2 rotors and some more header bolts (I suggest using lock washers with those, I keep losing them :-) are on the way!
Let's hope that fixes it. I guess I'll have to bag the dizzy whenever I want to degrease the engine.
Allergies are killing me, the wifeys been in the hospital for 2 weeks and my darn truck is acting up.....where's my beer?
I spoke with the MSD techs. To my surprise, they suggestd the vented caps for humid areas. I think I definitely qualify!
2 caps, 2 rotors and some more header bolts (I suggest using lock washers with those, I keep losing them :-) are on the way!
Let's hope that fixes it. I guess I'll have to bag the dizzy whenever I want to degrease the engine.
Allergies are killing me, the wifeys been in the hospital for 2 weeks and my darn truck is acting up.....where's my beer?
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Oh Crap< Greg....I hope your wife is doing better, I am sorry to hear that!!!
Well if thats what MSD said would take care of it...There the pro's....
Cant wait for the trip ,Man!!!!!
Russ
Well if thats what MSD said would take care of it...There the pro's....
Cant wait for the trip ,Man!!!!!
Russ