newbie questions

[tarbasd]

Hi,

first of all let me tell you that I am very impressed about this community and I cannot appreciate enough that you are helping me out. I've just started to learn to maintain a car. I have '92 Camry, 4 cyl, AT and I have two (probably basic) questions.

In the weekend I removed the distributor cap for an inspection (it will need to be replaced) and I observed that there is some minor oil leak between the distributor cap and the distributor. I find that strange: is oil supposed be in the distrutor? I guess it might have leaked from somewhere. Maybe I have a leak at the distributor O-ring that leaks oil into the distributor? (Please forgive me if I'm talking nonsense.)

The second question: I bought a can of seafoam last week and I poured it into the tank after a fillup. Well, it was night and dark, and I tried it without a funnel - I know it is quite foolish - so some of the seafoam ended up on the pavement. I have no idea how much went into the tank actually. I observe no difference in the driveability of my car. Also, it was not smoking at all. So maybe my fuel line didn't need cleaning, but maybe most of the seafoam was spilled and the remaining didn't have much effect on a full tank of gas. Would it hurt if I buy another can and pour it, say into a tank half full, maybe after the next fillup, so it would go into pure gas?

Thanks in advance,

[BlueFusion6851]

1.Once you replace your distributor, the oil should go away (it isn't supposed to be there, but the o-rings are notorious for cracking)

2.You'll be ok with adding the extra seafoam, but have you tried putting 1/3 can into the car via the brake booster line? That should work extra good.

[tarbasd]

Originally Posted by BlueFusion6851

1.Once you replace your distributor, the oil should go away (it isn't supposed to be there, but the o-rings are notorious for cracking)

2.You'll be ok with adding the extra seafoam, but have you tried putting 1/3 can into the car via the brake booster line? That should work extra good.

Thank you!

I don't really want to replace the whole distributor, only the cap. And of course the o-ring, if that is the one that leaks.

Seafoam: I haven't tried that, especially because I don't know what the brake booster line is. I'll find out when I get home. Haynes' manual is my bedtime reading.

[Cyorke]

If you have oil in your distributor more than likely the seal for the distributor shaft itself is worn and letting oil into the distributor. The distributor o-ring that everyone talks of causes oil to leak externally. It will drip down the side of the cylinder head and pool up under the distributor. If the seal for the distributor shaft is leaking then it is most likely going to mean you ahve to replace the distributor or disassemble it to replace the seal. IN my experience I never replaced the seal. THe dealer I worked at we always replaced the distributor.

Putting Seafoam into the gas tank will most likely not cause smoke from teh tail pipe. THe smoke that everyone talks about is from when you suck it into the intake using the brake vacuum line. Putting it into the gas tank is more for the fuel lines and injectors. GOing into the brake booster line is for cleaning out the intake plenum and then the Seafoam setting on top of the pistons will help clean some of the carbon buildup off the top of them. If you do that then you will get the smoke that everyone talks about. While you are doing the Seafoam you might as well go ahead and get a can of throttle body/carb cleaner and pull the intake hose off. Open up the throttle plate and spray away. THis will help with the buildup you get around the butterfly in the throttle. SOmetimes it can get bad enough to cause the pedal to stick when you try to accelerate.

[BlueFusion6851]

^Whoops He's right. Sorry, I'm kind of groggy from some cough medicine.
Cyorke: Thanks for doing the Seafoam DIY for me.

[Cyorke]

Originally Posted by BlueFusion6851

^Whoops He's right. Sorry, I'm kind of groggy from some cough medicine.
Cyorke: Thanks for doing the Seafoam DIY for me.

Cough medicine huh, is it the Jack Daniels version.

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by Cyorke

If you have oil in your distributor more than likely the seal for the distributor shaft itself is worn and letting oil into the distributor. The distributor o-ring that everyone talks of causes oil to leak externally.

Agreed.


Repair kit:

http://www.kbox.ca/catalog/product_i...products_id=46