Help! - Replaced Distributor O-ring, now won't start

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Oct 9, 2001 | 03:06 PM

ajstephan

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Help! - Replaced Distributor O-ring, now won't start

Due to a severe oil leak from the back of the intake manifold, I replaced the intake gasket on my 2.8L '85 Ford Ranger. I discovered that the oil leak was really coming from a improperly sized O-ring on the distributor that a shop replaced some months ago. I put everything back together, but now it won't start.

It cranks, plenty of fuel, the coil resistance is low, but no spark. I cleaned the connection on the side of the distributor (TFI, I think)and the spark plug wire going to the coil and I got a spark for a couple of cranks, then quit.

I'm at a loss. The Hanyes manual says to remove a distributor wire and look for a spark when near a ground, but I don't know which wire to check, as they're all in one connector.

Any advice would be appreciated, I'm stumped on this whole matter.

Oct 10, 2001 | 09:49 AM

tamarackstyle

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Help! - Replaced Distributor O-ring, now won't start

Are you sure you are on the right stroke? try turning the distributor 180 deg. leving the rotor in same position.

Oct 11, 2001 | 12:44 AM

ajstephan

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Help! - Replaced Distributor O-ring, now won't start

No, I don't think it's 180 out. I pulled the distributor TFI and coil and had a shop test them. Nothing wrong with them. I then bumped the engine to TDC for all cylinders and pointed the rotor to #1 - still won't start.

Am I missing a wire? The Dist. has the 4 prong plug that goes into the TFI, and that's all, right? Is there a fuse I should look for? I'm getting beyond desperate...

Oct 11, 2001 | 09:05 AM

tamarackstyle

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Help! - Replaced Distributor O-ring, now won't start

It was running befroe you started? you didnt change anything but the gasket right? Ive had modules test fine at the shop and still turn out to be bad. The only real way to test these is thru substitution with a known good one. but if it was me I would double check to make sure I was at top dead center with the #1 cylindar on the compresion stroke. I do this by removing #1 spark plug, putting my thumb over the hole and while turning the crank. air should push against thumb. then I bring it up to tdc.

Oct 11, 2001 | 09:29 AM

ajstephan

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Help! - Replaced Distributor O-ring, now won't start

Yes, it was running fine. Just the oil leak (that I wish I had ignored!)

I set it to TDC by pulling the valve covers and watching the position of the rockers. I'll double check it to make sure, as my options are running out.

You're right about the replacing the module. The shop said they'd let me return the new one if it didn't help, and I refused. Dumb. Don't know how many times I've demanded they replace starters that test fine, but don't work on the vehicle.

Oct 16, 2001 | 01:24 AM

mtraum

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Help! - Replaced Distributor O-ring, now won't start

check ground and power to the module

Oct 16, 2001 | 11:01 AM

ajstephan

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Help! - Replaced Distributor O-ring, now won't start

Even though the TFI tested fine, it wasn't. After exhausting every possibility several times, I just ended up replacing the TFI. Guess it was due to go out, but better now than on the road.

Unfortunately, my timing light went out, but it seems to run fine tuned by ear.

Thanks all for the help!