Birthday present is late this year

Geo-TH,In · Feb 28, 2021

Every other year I get an unwanted gift. The distributor cap on my 2007 GMC shorts out when we have a warm moist February day. I even said my birthday present is late this year while going to Kroger's to gas up.

Not to be dissatisfied, I gassed up and now I'm waiting on AAA to tow me 3 miles home. Going to push it in Garage and change distributor and rotor tomorrow.

I've tried everything. Delco, Napa, Auto Zone, grease, WD40, RTV. I always get a gift every other year.

I wish someone could convert engine to distributor less ignition.

GMC SERRIA 1500 is a great truck.

Steve Metcalfe · Feb 28, 2021

It must be a V-6 engine! If so that is just about normal for the those.

old · Feb 28, 2021

Years ago I had a 1971 GMC pickup that the distributor cap would crack and short out. We lived in MS at the time. I got to where I would keep a new spare cap in the truck so when it did that I could just stop and change the gap. My dad had taken it to a shop for them to figure out what was wrong with it. They could not find the problem. While in there shop I was looking at it and told my dad to try to start it. While he was doing that I grabbed the distributor cap and got zapped real good. I told my dad the cap was bad and he told the place it was bad and they replaced it. They wanted to charge my dad for the time they had in it trying to find the problem. MY dad told them he would pay for the cap and the time to replace it but nothing more. He also told them if he had to pay the extra they would in turn hire me and pay me for finding the problem. My dad won that fight

Geo-TH,In · Feb 28, 2021

Yes it's a V6. Even tow truck driver said the same thing. And he said it happened to him.

2 years from I think I'll buy myself a new truck for my birthday.

Previously I had a 95 GMC same engine

Same problem.
George

GordoSD · Feb 28, 2021

Looks a little overlaoded (death wish) to me. Put some Monroe Load Leveler Coil Over rear shocks on it.

Hobo,NC · Feb 28, 2021

I would go get the coil while I was at it... I have never had your issue on that type of cap but plenty of strange coil issues.

ACDELCO caps only for me on those... BTW are all both hold down screws in good working order I have seen quite a few stripped out/broke I think they make a repair strap for them that goes under the dist. body...

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-90449-Distribution-Repair-Plate/dp/B00BQAJNWO

Best I remember its a P.O.S. also I replace the distributor : )

Geo-TH,In · Feb 28, 2021

Hobo,NC,

Screw holes are good. Everything is good. Thanks for your help

I Really think it time to get a new truck with distributorless ing.

I think my choices are limited to Ford and GM. They are the only long
bed work trucks I like and they both have reputable dealers in Terrre
Haute. Dodge I think are all short beds.

I just tired of getting in the engine compartment and changing
distributer located in the back of the engine. Getting to old too for
this crap.
george

Steve Metcalfe · Feb 28, 2021

Im thinking it appears to be sitting a little low because the wrecker driver has it cinched down good and tight. Im guessing that once unhooked from the wrecker that the ride height will raise a couple of inches.

neverfear · Feb 28, 2021

If it has that A/C line that crosses the engine next to the distributor, that is your problem. I had a 96 that did the same thing. I fought it until the A/C quit working. I've been told after the fact to put more insulation around that pipe as the temp difference created moisture inside the warm cap. Remember, your A/C runs when the defrosters are on too.

Geo-TH,In · Feb 28, 2021

You may have mentioned AC line 2 year's ago. I addressed that issue.

However the problem always comes up in February, 60 degrees rainy damp, high humidity. I even thought on my way to Kroger's to gas up, my birthday gift is late.
AC hasn't been turned on since last fall.
A new truck will be purchased before I turn 74.

504 · Feb 28, 2021

I have a 97 with the spider cap that eats caps too. I know it is a completely different system,but I can't find a mechanic that has found a cap that will last two years.

wore out · Feb 28, 2021

(quoted from post at 11:41:32 02/28/21) Every other year I get an unwanted gift. The distributor cap on my 2007 GMC shorts out when we have a warm moist February day. I even said my birthday present is late this year while going to Kroger's to gas up.

Not to be dissatisfied, I gassed up and now I'm waiting on AAA to tow me 3 miles home. Going to push it in Garage and change distributor and rotor tomorrow.

I've tried everything. Delco, Napa, Auto Zone, grease, WD40, RTV. I always get a gift every other year.

I wish someone could convert engine to distributor less ignition.

GMC SERRIA 1500 is a great truck.

George, I don't want to be accused of "flaming" you here, but if you had not bought the CHEAPEST base version of that truck with the (antiquated) 4.3 V-6 and had instead opted to spend a few more bucks to own a 4.8 or 5.3 V-8 it would have been "distributorless" and free from the repeat problems you've had.

Sometimes, being CHEAP comes back to bite you in the maximus gluteus!

Walston · Mar 1, 2021

I had a similar issue with one back in the 90's. After changing the distributor can et al, I sprayed it with silicone spray and did it again every 4-6 months, never had problems after that, the silicone seemed to keep the moisture out.

SVcummins · Mar 1, 2021

Geo-TH,In · Mar 1, 2021

You are right. Tow truck driver used winch to secure truck. He knew what he was doing.
Pictures are deceiving.
George

Sprint 6 · Mar 1, 2021

As I have said before, have the distributor made adjustable with a clamp from a 5.7 V8. With a full function scan tool set to watch the Cam Position Retard, run the engine at 1500 rpm, then turn the distributor until the CMP reading is 0 and lock it down. Then do a CMP offset relearn. You'll never replace the cap again. As built, the V6 is non-adjustable, and some are WAYYY off the optimum 0 reading from the factory. A V6 will run pretty far out, but they eat caps due to the spark having to "reach" for the tower, it fires before the rotor tip is aligned with the cap tower.

Geo-TH,In · Mar 1, 2021

2007 may have been the last year the V6
had a distributor. The V8 model would
turn off 2 cylinders and become a 6
cylinder. I was concerned that
technology was new an could be
problematic.
I have regretted not getting distributor
less ignition.

My 2018 is v6 and it turns 2 cylinders
off and becomes a 4 cylinder. So far no
issues. Cadillac mechanic said some
times 2 spark plugs may need replacement.

Last time a spark plug went bad on truck.
Auto Zone scanned computer and #6 plug
was bad.

My next truck will not have a distributor
for sure. A V6 is enough engine for my
needs. A base work truck is all I want.

I don't need a 4 door truck and use it as
a car. I have a 4 door XT5. George

Geo-TH,In · Mar 1, 2021

When are you coming over and repair my truck?
I am convinced the problem is inside distributor. Yesterday when I wouldn't start. I felt the spark was jumping to wrong cylinder and engine and cough, sputter, engine fire through intake.

You can work in my new pole.

I ask mechanic to do what you said and he said they wouldn't do it.
George

Geo-TH,In · Mar 1, 2021

Before I turn 74 I may change cap before winter, then start shopping for new end of year model work truck. George

Sprint 6 · Mar 1, 2021

Don't know why they wouldn't want to. Probably don't understand the operation of that system. The distributor on the 4.3 isn't a distributor in a traditional sense. It is actually just a cam position sensor that also provided a handy way to switch the high voltage circuit and only need one coil. In fact, GM called it a High Voltage Switch. The 4.3 is notoriously off because of the timing chain is more loose than the V8 to absorb harmonics from the balance shaft the 4.3 has that runs off the cam gear. V8s didn't have a balance shaft, so the chain is tighter.

If you ever find yourself on the opposite side of the state, stop on by.

Birthday present is late this year

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