Thread: Oil under distributor cap?

I am finding fresh oil under the distributer cap where it meets the distributer. What are the usual suspects? I know the large gasket/seal is stretched and needs replacing. What other seals would you replace?

The other shaft seal is inside of the dizzy which cant be replaced..
Just change the big O-ring and hope it doesnt leak inside of the dizzy.

If you find oil on the rotor, swap out the dizzy with another one.

Well, a few years someone sent me a polished distributer with a broken stud in it. I tapped the stud out and put the newer distributer in there. I will see if that stopped the leak. What timing. He sends it a few years ago and I use it today. LOL!

Put some oil on the O-ring and then install it..

I dont know if it matters, but to be on the safe side, note the position of the rotor before removing the old dizzy. Then install the new dizzy with the rotor in the same position.

Agreed.. Those spare parts really does come in handy after collecting dust for a while...

Gotta love pulling out something out of your parts bin (free) and being able to fix something.... 2 points sir

Not to be all gloom and doom. Try the outer seal, but if it is anything like mine it could be the inner seal in the distributor. check the distributor rotor inside and see if there is oil in there as well. Mine leaked ( very very small ammount) from the inside. I ended up having a guy ( I was lucky he knew what he was doing) and he machined something new for the distributor to fix it instead of having to go out and buy a new one.

DC Scotty hit the nail on the head. you need a new distributor. KA powered Altima's are notorious for the same problem.

bump old thread.....


mine is leaking from around the distributor, whats the fix? Gasket.... where can i buy????

mine too ever since i put my cams in, its like a liquid gasket didnt seal it right by the distributer cam cap...

If you remove the valve cover, make sure to put RTV at each side of the four (4) half-moon corners. This will stop your leak normally.

Also check for a leak coming from your dizzy O-ring. This rubber o-ring hardens over time and will also leak. It can be replaced with a new O-ring. Dont forget to rub a little motor oil on the O-ring when installing it.