Symptoms of a bad or faulty distributor o-ring
If your vehicle has a distributor, common signs that the o-ring needs to be replaced include oil leaks and engine running problems.
Distributors are an ignition system component found on many older cars and trucks. Although they have been largely replaced by coil-on-plug ignition systems, they are still widely used on many vehicles made over the last few decades. They use a rotating shaft, which is driven by the engine, to distribute spark to individual engine cylinders. Because they are a movable component that can be removed, they require sealing just like any other engine component.
Distributors typically use a specific size o-ring that fits over the distributor shaft to seal it with the engine, called a distributor o-ring. The distributor o-ring simply seals the distributor body with the motor to prevent oil leakage at the distributor base. When the O-ring fails, it can cause oil to leak from the distributor base, which can lead to other problems. Usually, a bad or faulty distributor o-ring causes several symptoms that can alert the driver to a potential problem that needs to be addressed.
Oil leak around the engine
Oil leaks are by far the most common symptom of a bad distributor o-ring. If the distributor O-ring wears out or fails, it will no longer be able to properly seal the distributor with the motor. This will cause oil to leak from the distributor base onto the engine. This problem will not only create a mess in the engine bay, but it will also slowly lower the oil level in the engine which, if allowed to drop low enough, can put the engine at risk of damage.
Engine problems
Another far less common sign of a bad distributor o-ring is engine performance problems. If a bad distributor o-ring allows oil to seep into certain parts of the engine compartment, oil can get into the wiring and hoses, which can cause them to wear out. Worn wiring and hoses can cause all sorts of problems ranging from vacuum leaks to wiring short circuits, which can then lead to performance issues such as reduced power, acceleration and fuel economy.
The distributor o-ring is a simple but important seal that can be found on almost all vehicles equipped with a distributor. When they fail, oil leaks can form and develop into other problems. If you find that the O-ring of your distributor is leaking, have the car checked by a professional technician, for example, from AvtoTachki. They will be able to inspect the vehicle and determine if you need a distributor O-ring replacement.
