Well, it's getting cold here, the the '92 Sentra 1.6L is getting harder to start in the 30F mornings. I changed the oil again last weekend, so I thought it might be a good idea to install the new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, PCV valve and fuel filter that have been sitting in the garage for two months.
I figured out how to remove the boot-thingie over the distributor cap and took a quick look at the cap itself. Ooh, screws are *corroded*. Quick squirt of Liquid Wrench to the head, end, and middle, and let it sit while I rinse the grunge off the boot-thingie.
Back a while later with an assortment of screwdrivers, another squirt of LW, and...
...no, the front screw is just crumbling. OK, more LW and I will peruse the toolbox for something that will work. Ah, very small slip joint pliers, just the ticket. More liquid wrench, and a gentle twist back and forth, a little more torque CCW and...ahh, here it comes! Hmm, the end doesn't look like it's turning? Are the pliers slipping? No..ahhh, #@$%&# the *screw* broke!
Don't know how many caps I've changed and I've never had this happen. There's always a first time....
So... slotting the ends with a Dremel didn't work. Finally took a really small drill bit and drilled a hole through the screw. It really was pretty centered, so I took a larger drill and made a bigger hole. I still couldn't get anything in the hole to try and budge the screw, so I used a third drill. Using a small screwdriver in the hole did not accomplish anything, so I got my smallest EZ-OUT and tried it. It actually fit! I started gently feeding it in, and was rewarded after a few efforts by the release of pressure as the screw started backing out. I rejoiced, until I realized that the whole "ear" on the distributor body had crumbled to dust. Leaving me to view the remarkably intact threads on the inner side of the hole.
So...I'm trying to figure out what next. I really don't want to dump $200-300 into a reman distributor. OTOH, I really don't want to get stranded, either.
I'm thinking of slotting the body and fitting a threaded washer type device, or maybe some kind of bracket. I've also been known to do some remarkable things with Liquid Nails.
Actually, I'd like a real repair, not a cob job, but until this is fixed I'm walking to work. It looks as if I could get a used distributor off eBay for about $40, could I swap my "guts" if it didn't work? Also, I gather there is an O-ring that goes bad on this model? There isn't any oil in my cap, although the cap and rotor were totally shot.
Thought I would ask the fine folks here on AAN if there's anything I'm not aware of. Anybody?
"How was your weekend?" "Great, I did $300 damage to my car!"
PB