Distributer Cap and Rotor Replacement [DIY]

The distributor’s cap and rotor need to be replaced when the rotor and terminals in the cap have become worn/corroded and prevent enough electric charge to pass trough the spark plug wires to the spark plugs (you can brush the corrosion off with a wirebrush). This preventive maintenance will improve combustion and help your car feel “smoother” among other things. Note: the following procedure was performed on a 3rd gen integra but it will be similar on other hondas.

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Parts Needed for Cap and Rotor Install

• New cap and rotor from your local auto parts store

Tools Needed for Cap and Rotor Install

• Phillips screwdriver
• 8mm wrench
• 10mm wrench
• pliers (may not need this).

How to replace distributer cap and rotor

1. Unplug the spark plug wires from the cylinder head (NOT the distributor!)
2. Proceed to remove the distributor cap by unscrewing the retaining bolts with your phillips screwdriver (you can also use the 8mm wrench)

3. The lower bolt is kind of hard to get to so I took my intake tube off, this also gives you more room to work with.

4. After removing the cap you will see the rotor
5. Under the rotor there is a screw, remove it (rotor has to be in a certain position to do this)

if the rotor didn’t “land” on the right position to unscrew it, or if you’re like me and stripped it, brake the rotor off with some pliers, then you can get to the screw by removing the little cover with the spring, make sure you replace the cover afterwards.
6. Remove the rotor (or what’s left of it) from the distributor shaft.

7. Install new rotor, don’t worry about messing up, it can only go in one way.
8. Reinstall rotor screw.
If you stripped your screw you’re gonna have to improvise until you can get a replacement one. I used one of the new screws that came with the new cap (luckily it had the same threading), although is twice the lenght its working fine so far but I wouldn’t recommend it, I don’t know what can happen.
9. Remove the old seal and replace with the new one.

10. Relocate the spark plug wires on the new cap one by one in the same order as the old cap. These wires need to go in a specific sequence so if you removed them and don’t know where they go refer to the picture below for the correct order. The correct firing order is 1-3-4-2 so starting clockwise from the bottom left of the cap is 1. On a SOHC motor the #1 is at the top left, same firing order.

11. Install the new cap (tighten the screws hand tight, you don’t want the plastic to break, but not loose either).
12. Replace the spark plug wires on the engine. Here is the firing order for reference.
13. Reinstall the battery cables (positive then negative), and all other equipment you may have taken off.
14. Start your car and let it idle for a few minutes.

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