Ignition/Sparkplugs

[clintorino]

Accelerator pump diaphragm? There is no exploded view for the accelorator pump on autozone nor do i know where to locate it. Is there a way to see if it is functioning correctly?

[Mike McKown]

Accelerator pump diaphragm? There is no exploded view for the accelorator pump on autozone nor do i know where to locate it. Is there a way to see if it is functioning correctly?

I confused you. Go back to Auto Zone and type distributor cap/rotor/ in "search" and see what you come up with.

The accelerator pump is inside the carburetor and should be part of a carburetor rebuild kit. If that's what causes your hesitation, I believe I'd have somebody knowledgable looking over my shoulder while you work on the carb.

[TominMO]

I have to admit, i do not know anything in regards to the distributer cap, rotor and button and how they work, what is why i am hesitating to replace it myself. In addition, do you believe this would be the cause of my hesitations? I am still hell bent on it being a vacuum issue.

"Rotor" and "rotor button" mean the same thing; just local usage. It's what spins around inside the distributor, distributing the electricity from the cap (via the coil wire) to the various spark plug wires. On some cars, rotors just pop on and off, held on by friction. On other cars, there will be a retaining screw to remove (and not lose!). I just got into Festys a little while ago, and have never changed a rotor on one, so IDK which type is on them. Someone here will chime in tho.

A good way to not lose little screws is to put a paper towel or a rag under the screw you are removing, so the screw can't fall too far. Also get a telescoping magnetic pickup tool. Saved my butt many times.

Once you've done it, it's super-easy after that. Maybe find a mechanically-inclined friend to do it with you the first time?

[batstiva]

Haven't changed the button on my new one, but Batstiva's had no retaining screws. Just popped on-popped off. 88L

[clintorino]

I removed my dist cap and noticed some type of oil on the bottom part of the dist cap. I cleaned it out, but is this a problem? I also popped out my button (with ease) but what would i be looking for in regards to a faulty button?

[GenevaDirt]

corrosion on the metal terminal and on the inside of the cap that where the contacts are. Could be bad wires??

[clintorino]

i just had the wires replaced. I did not really see any corrosion. If there was, would i just wire brush it off or what?

[batstiva]

When you had the cap off, there was no corrosion/ oil on the contacts?

[clintorino]

there was some oil on the bottom edge of the cap (where it would gather and pool caused by gravity). I cleaned it out. I also saw a little greenish corrosion on the middle cap connection on the inside. I didnt have a wire brush with me to remove it. Do you think this may be causing the issue?

[TominMO]

there was some oil on the bottom edge of the cap (where it would gather and pool caused by gravity). I cleaned it out. I also saw a little greenish corrosion on the middle cap connection on the inside. I didnt have a wire brush with me to remove it. Do you think this may be causing the issue?

Could be. Whenever I change out parts I keep the old ones (if they worked at all) as emergency spares. One way to check plug wires if you think one is bad, for example, is to turn off the motor and pull off one of them, start the motor and see if there is a change. If it runs worse, that one was good. If there is no change, that's a bad one. Repeat with the other three.

[GenevaDirt]

Could be. Whenever I change out parts I keep the old ones (if they worked at all) as emergency spares. One way to check plug wires if you think one is bad, for example, is to turn off the motor and pull off one of them, start the motor and see if there is a change. If it runs worse, that one was good. If there is no change, that's a bad one. Repeat with the other three.

haha....no need to turn it off....be brave...if it gets you it is only a little jolt. You can use pliers and they make a wire puller if you really want to get it....pull while running and you will be able to tell right away.

Are you sure you got the wires back on right? If you have oil getting in the cap that much then you may want to try finding a new seal...or replace the cap and make sure it seals good. You could be getting moisture in there and that is not good.

[clintorino]

you are referring to pullling the spark plug wires from the engine or from the dist cap? They are all new plugs and wires, so would this matter or what are you trying to test?

[challe1]

I know this may sound silly but did you check your oil after they changed it? I had a escort gt that a local place changed my oil..And put 1.5 Qts too many...

[GenevaDirt]

you are referring to pullling the spark plug wires from the engine or from the dist cap? They are all new plugs and wires, so would this matter or what are you trying to test?

if you are asking me...I was just responding to Toms post....he may be thinking that you are not running on all cylinders. But if you were to do what is suggested...it would not matter which area you pulled them from....just need to break the connection to see if the way it is running changes or not. If there is no change when you pull one of the wires....then you have an issue with that cylinder.

[clintorino]

So if i pulll a plug wire from the engine while its running and it starts running worse, taht means its ok. right? So then to put the plug wire back on should i turn off the car first or should i just slap it on. Wouldnt there be an arch from the plug as i attempted to place the wire on it again?