Distributor going out symptoms?

[phoonTy]

When the distributor fails, is it possible to go out slowly, or does it just die quickly? Also, what are some of the symptoms if it goes out slowly? My truck has 126,000 and the original distributor.

My truck runs okay, but there's a high pitch whine from the engine bay. I've checked belts, pulleys, hoses, vacuum lines, done visual inspection for cracks in the intake, etc. I can't seem to find anything wrong. I've had several people listen closely, and the whine seems to come from behind the intake, leading me to believe it's possibly distributor related? The whine is affected by RPM and engine load. At idle, or coasting on the road, it's really loud and prevalent, under throttle/boost, the whine goes away.

I've searched for a few old topics I remeber discussing this issue, but I haven't found them yet. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: Distributor going out symptoms?

tried taken the belt off and spinning your accessories?

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Distributor going out symptoms?

I have heard on some SyTy's, the distributor gear get chewed apart at higher mileage. I would think that would create that noise :dunno:

 

[blk00z28]

Re: Distributor going out symptoms?

Is it a whistle, like a vacuum leak? Maybe your EGR?

 

[SeattleSy#1255]

Re: Distributor going out symptoms?

tons of vacuum lines behind there...check all of the first. cheaper and easier.

 

[phoonTy]

Re: Distributor going out symptoms?

tons of vacuum lines behind there...check all of the first. cheaper and easier.

Vacuum lines were recently replaced with one of Ian's kits. I'll have to check the EGR, because it is a whistle like a vacuum leak, but it doesn't affect performance that I can tell. I can put it in drive like I'm doing a launch and build boost.

Thanks for the replys. At least now I have something to go off of.

 

[SeattleSy#1255]

Re: Distributor going out symptoms?

there is one in particular that goes to the back of the TB (larger hose) that i have had detach and it sorta makes a whistling noise. I don't know, i can't look at my truck as it is 3K miles away :rant:

 

[phoonTy]

Re: Distributor going out symptoms?

Hmm....

Sounds like a possibility. I'll have to get out the old mirror and flashlight and check claps and zip ties. It's entirely possible I could have missed it last time I looked.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[SeattleSy#1255]

Re: Distributor going out symptoms?

Hmm....

Sounds like a possibility. I'll have to get out the old mirror and flashlight and check claps and zip ties. It's entirely possible I could have missed it last time I looked.

Thanks again everyone!

no need for a mirror, just climb on top of the motor

 

[gmcturbo]

Re: Distributor going out symptoms?

When the distributor fails, is it possible to go out slowly, or does it just die quickly? Also, what are some of the symptoms if it goes out slowly? My truck has 126,000 and the original distributor.

My truck runs okay, but there's a high pitch whine from the engine bay. I've checked belts, pulleys, hoses, vacuum lines, done visual inspection for cracks in the intake, etc. I can't seem to find anything wrong. I've had several people listen closely, and the whine seems to come from behind the intake, leading me to believe it's possibly distributor related? The whine is affected by RPM and engine load. At idle, or coasting on the road, it's really loud and prevalent, under throttle/boost, the whine goes away.



I've searched for a few old topics I remeber discussing this issue, but I haven't found them yet. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

i'd sat its probably a vaccum leak in the main vaccum harness. being that its there while cruising and in vaccum and gone when in boost (check valves in harness)

might want to check the alternator and power steering pump with the belt off to rule them out.

 

[phoonTy]

Re: Distributor going out symptoms?

i'd sat its probably a vaccum leak in the main vaccum harness. being that its there while cruising and in vaccum and gone when in boost (check valves in harness)

might want to check the alternator and power steering pump with the belt off to rule them out.

I've done the no belt check. Still whines with no accessory belt. Alternator tests fine as well. Power steering pump is only 1 year old, and I've checked it with the cap off. Nothing unusual there.

I'm still betting on the vacuum hose or something back behind the intake where I can't see things very well, or the distributor. Unfortunately, the engine is still a little warm, so I'll be checking it tomorrow.

 

[SeattleSy#1255]

Re: Distributor going out symptoms?

if stock v-lines, replace them anyway.

 

[Don W.]

Re: Distributor going out symptoms?

Behind and to the pas side of the dist is the vac line to heater/AC system. A rubber hose just pushed onto a small plastic tube. Does the HVAC all work OK?

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: Distributor going out symptoms?

squirt a little starter fluid back there and if the idle raises it's a vacum leak