1800: - Unseizing the distributor oil cap

b20e · May 11th, 2010, 22:24

For some time I have been trying to get the little oiler on the side of the distributor free as mine had been neglected for a while and siezed up.

I have tried soaking it in different WD40 type fluids to no avail.

As the car runs really well I did not want to take the dizzy off the car.

So yesterday i resorted to other methods.

I have bought a mini butane powered soldering iron/blow torch and used the very small blow torch to locally heat the cap.
This flame is very small less than a cigarette lighter flame but very hot.

These are very cheap and I got mine from MAPLINS for about £15 and it is really useful for making connections and will even braze small parts.

This got me a little movement and then carb cleaner seemed to do the rest.
Patience and wiggling got me a free cap.

A suitable sized allen key re-orientated the little hole so I could oil the distributor and I am in business again.

Hope this helps someone.
I guess Bosch put the oiler there for a good reason.

Quarterless · May 12th, 2010, 16:04

Can you get new oiler thingys? Mine has been crushed in the past, probably due to it being stuck, so does not work.

b20e · May 12th, 2010, 20:37

I dont know. I dont know how it attaches inside either. It could be an interference fit but I have not wanted to mess with it.

I have a spare so I will take a look at the weekend and see what it looks like.

Quarterless · May 12th, 2010, 21:29

Yeah it is an interference fit as it just pushes in.

May 11th, 2010, 22:24	#1
b20e Simon Good Last Online: Aug 21st, 2019 07:05 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Reading View Photos By: b20e	Unseizing the distributor oil cap For some time I have been trying to get the little oiler on the side of the distributor free as mine had been neglected for a while and siezed up. I have tried soaking it in different WD40 type fluids to no avail. As the car runs really well I did not want to take the dizzy off the car. So yesterday i resorted to other methods. I have bought a mini butane powered soldering iron/blow torch and used the very small blow torch to locally heat the cap. This flame is very small less than a cigarette lighter flame but very hot. These are very cheap and I got mine from MAPLINS for about £15 and it is really useful for making connections and will even braze small parts. This got me a little movement and then carb cleaner seemed to do the rest. Patience and wiggling got me a free cap. A suitable sized allen key re-orientated the little hole so I could oil the distributor and I am in business again. Hope this helps someone. I guess Bosch put the oiler there for a good reason.

May 12th, 2010, 16:04	#2
Quarterless Master Member Last Online: Jan 3rd, 2024 19:13 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Essex	Can you get new oiler thingys? Mine has been crushed in the past, probably due to it being stuck, so does not work.

May 12th, 2010, 20:37	#3
b20e Simon Good Last Online: Aug 21st, 2019 07:05 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Reading View Photos By: b20e	I dont know. I dont know how it attaches inside either. It could be an interference fit but I have not wanted to mess with it. I have a spare so I will take a look at the weekend and see what it looks like.

May 12th, 2010, 21:29	#4
Quarterless Master Member Last Online: Jan 3rd, 2024 19:13 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Essex	Yeah it is an interference fit as it just pushes in.

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