Distributor Leaks oil

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sshukes

Distributor Leaks oil

Post by sshukes »

My distributor is leaking some type of dark fluid, i am assuming oil. I was wondering if anyone knew if there is a seal or gasket between the distributor and the engine that can be changed. Also any other ideas would be most appreciated. thanks
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4uall
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Your car is a: 1980 Fiat Pininfarina Spider 2000 F.I.
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Re: Distributor Leaks oil

Post by 4uall »

Jay

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ITZEBTZE

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riverdadd
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Your car is a: 1975 Fiat Spider 1977 Alfa Spider

Re: Distributor Leaks oil

Post by riverdadd »

When you have the distributor removed, pay close attention to the cam housing. I had a oil leak that i thought was in the distributor, which turned out to be a hairline crack in the cam housing that terminated in the hole the distributor resides in. i replaced the seal and gasket in the distributor several times until i realized it was the cam housing that was cracked. You probably will be fine once you redo the seal and gasket, but just keep in mind there can be additional sources of oil leaks.
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124JOE
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Your car is a: 1978 124 fiat spider sport 1800
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Re: Distributor Leaks oil

Post by 124JOE »

AS IVE HAD MY 124 FOR 20 YRS I WOULD SAY THE CRANK CASE VENT HOSE IS BENT AND PRESSURE PUSHES THE OIL UP AND OUT LIKE MINE DID PORING OIL ON THE EXHAUST CAUSING A HUGE SMOKE SREEN

EDIT: YES THIS WAS A STREAM OUT
SORRY FOR ALL CAPS. NOT YELLING KEY BOARD STUCK
Last edited by 124JOE on Tue Jan 13, 2015 9:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
when you do everything correct people arent sure youve done anything at all (futurama)
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vandor
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Re: Distributor Leaks oil

Post by vandor »

Most likely it is either the paper gasket between the distributor and the cam tower, or the distributor shaft seal is bad and oil is getting inside the distributor, then dripping out.
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bradartigue
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Your car is a: 1970 Sport Spider
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Distributor Leaks oil

Post by bradartigue »

Summarizing what has been said, more or less:

- Pooling oil in the distributor, getting thrown around, etc.: crankcase vent is blocked or backpressure is excessive. Usually results in other seals leaking as well.

- Some oil in the distributor accumulating: bad distributor shaft seal. The centrifugal force of the distributor draws the fluid up.
Drew12065

Re: Distributor Leaks oil

Post by Drew12065 »

How do I check if the liquid/vapor separator is plugged ? with out unboltind from block
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