Do It Yourself Distributor Change

I have a 98 Civic LX (L4, PFI, SOHC 1.6L) with about 115k miles.
Recently the malfunction lamp has been coming on. The Honda Dealer says
the diagnostic suggests the distributor needs to be replaced. The cost
is $305 for the part and $79 for the labor.

Is this something I can replace myself? I'm handy, but not a mechanic
-- I've worked on my old Corvair, old Malibu, done brake work,
installed all my own audio equipment. But no real engine work and no
real tools other than the basics (no timing light, etc).

Also, what are the odds that this malfunction really requires just a
new cap, or rotor, or other sub-part? And would I be able to tackle
changing one of those by myself? I certainly have replaced a rotor cap
before...but is there a gotcha waiting for me?

Thanks!

 

it's easy enough to do, but i believe you need a timing light.

why replace the distributor? what's the code you're getting from the
obdc? [if you don't know how to read the code, go to a parts store &
get it read for free.]

 

You don't need to get a code. My distributor bearings got destroyed and so
did the housing. Mind you, this was on a 86 Predule Si

 

We will be wondering why you need a dist chg, but regardless I feel you can
do it. The distributors only fit in one way and you will need to retime it
when done, (got a timing light?)

 

Often in this group I see people replacing parts in the distributor to get
the car running. While this works, I feel replacing the entire distributor
when there is a failure is the best option (when money permits). This
freshens up the entire FI and coil system on newer cars, and on older cars,
well that's a judgment call due to the price of some of the distributors.
Anyway, I have seen several Honda's distributors seizes up, and one even
broke the cam.
So for safety, replace the distributor when there is a problem.



--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Undercar Specialist

 

Sounds like I should try to get a read on that code, to make *sure* I
am fixing the right problem. While I've been happy with my Honda dealer
for the first 115k miles, I have always been a little suspicious
because every time I bring in the car, they find something that costs
about $400 to fix. So I will get a read on the code, and consider
picking up a timing light. More later, thanks for all the replies. --RS

 

Hmmm, I got the cold shoulder from two auto parts stores on that
suggestion....are they afraid of liability?

 

shouldn't be. google here for who does free code reading. you can also
buy readers now for not too much money - with obdc everywhere now, i
think this a good investment.

 

AutoZone is the one that will read the codes for you, unless you are in
California.

 

sup with that, anyway?

i was thinking bout starting a code reading business... $20 to go over,
read, write down, and clear the code. HOPEFULLY with the info theyll be
better informed when they take it in to be fixed.

 

All right, thanks to AUTOZONE (go ahead, patronize them!) I got the
code -- P1362. It totally confirms what the dealer told me -- no signal
TDC. And, as many of you recommended, it would be best, at this
mileage, to replace the whole damn distributor. I could do it myself,
but AZ offers me the new distributor for $349.99. Honda dealer offers
it to me for $305, and $79 labor.

So...I am going to let the dealer do it. At the same time, I will work
on my side job (consulting) for 8 hours, make $400, and be able to turn
it into a wash, and not get my programmer's fingers dirty!

And I'll buy me wiper blades and Auto Zone.

Thank you all for your responses. RS

 

eh- i prefer the OEM blade refills myself. tried the aftermarket bosch,
trico, amco, etc through the years, and was never really satisfied.