Leaking Distributor

[dkphotog]

My '78 Spider 1800 is starting up like a champ, running great after numerous repairs & replacement of carb, radiator, air filter, etc, etc, etc......ugh! It was expensive but my champ is really humming and has been quite reliable and FUN.

HOWEVER, a new little issue is cropping up. My mechanic says the distributor is "going out" - it has a little oil leak and it is NOT the O-ring...it's dripping from the little hole located underneath the distributor. He helped me see it with a mirror held underneath the distributor and sure enough a bit of oil is dripping out causing it to smoke and smell on the engine.

- do i need a new distributor?
- do i switch to electronic ignition?
- is there a reliable solution?
- how can i not spend another $500 to $800 bucks (ugh)

Thanks for any advice!!

[kmead]

Oil is not intended to be in the distributor and there is no supply of it in there, it likely is likely an inner seal that is failing. Crankcase pressures are likely forcing oil past the base seal. The parts are replaceable and don't cost all that much.

These two videos show how to replace the seal and the bearing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcFps2qL44Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q794WNnoVu0

[dkphotog]

Oil is not intended to be in the distributor and there is no supply of it in there

My mechanic specializes in Fiats but i think he just thought "She's a GIRL" and that he didn't tell me what the problem really is. I have no idea whether distributors have oil or not - LOL. So yeah....

Thanks for your response - the leak was explained in full detail to my husband when he spoke with him later that day.

I'll update when i know the full scope of the issue!!

[RoyBatty]

I had the same leak and was able to remove the distributor to disassemble it and replace the inner seal.
I seem to remember that removing the pin that held the drive gear on the shaft was a bit of a bear.
But I was able to do it in my garage and it stopped the leak. As I remember it was dripping oil directly onto the exhaust manifold.
I think I got the seal from Mark Allison.

[So Cal Mark]

there is an inner seal that is the culprit. If the gear has never been removed, getting the pin out is pretty difficult

[dkphotog]

I had the same leak and was able to remove the distributor to disassemble it and replace the inner seal.
I seem to remember that removing the pin that held the drive gear on the shaft was a bit of a bear.
But I was able to do it in my garage and it stopped the leak. As I remember it was dripping oil directly onto the exhaust manifold.
I think I got the seal from Mark Allison.

Thanks!!! Yes I believe that is it....been told now by many people....seems to be quite common. It's actually a relief that it's not something more major.

[dkphotog]

there is an inner seal that is the culprit. If the gear has never been removed, getting the pin out is pretty difficult

Hopefully not too difficult - we shall see this week!!!

[74ausfiat]

hey gang, hope the repairs went well!

I'm having the same problem, but was told it was the distributor base gasket and never heard anything about a "base seal"

do different years have different systems of keeping the oil out? i looked at auto ricambi and didn't see anything for a base seal.

sorry to hijack the post, but it looks like ill be going thru the same adventure soon and wanted to get more info..

[kmead]

The seals are the same for the later years. The confusion appears to stem from a difference in terminology not in the actual parts.

[74ausfiat]

The seals are the same for the later years. The confusion appears to stem from a difference in terminology not in the actual parts.

True!!

[So Cal Mark]

the seal is not at the base, but inside the housing

[baltobernie]

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10400