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Top Mechanics For Car Distributor Repair & Replacements

21 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Middlesex, 38 years of experience

I am a time served Vehicle Technician serving a Four Year Apprenticeship with Mercedes Benz. And earning various qualifications over a period of seven years My Qualifications are as follows.City & Guilds par...

946 Reviews

Garage in Caterham, 14 years of experience

I have 8 years of experience in the automotive repair industry. I did my apprenticeship at a garage in London and have done mechanical work ever since. I worked at a garage for a few years after the apprenti...

165 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Peterborough, 18 years of experience

Mobile vehicle services across a wide range of vehicles. 18 years experience in the trade and main dealer experience. Everything from brakes and servicing to clutches and vehicle diagnostics

76 Reviews

Garage in Gloucester, 10 years of experience

With over 10 years industry experience, your vehicle is in safe hands with us. My lifetimes passion of motor vehicle has had me involved with all makes and sizes. Registered as IMI TechSafe for electric vehi...

12 Reviews

Garage in Stockport, 15 years of experience

Jaguar Land Rover main dealer 3years Independent garages for over 12 years

2 Reviews

Garage in Aberdare , 12 years of experience

Aberdare service centre is a family run garage with decades of experience in the motor trade most with main dealers , we have now had a rebrand with all of us working together to bring you the best service p...

1 Reviews

Garage in Abergavenny, 21 years of experience

Independent mechanic offering expert MOT, diagnostics, servicing and repairs to both garages and private owners since 2020 Dealership trained MOT, diagnostics and servicing for the preceeding ten years, hav...

118 Reviews

Garage in Southampton , 19 years of experience

Hi I'm Dan I am a fully qualified level 3 mechanic and licenced MOT Tester with experience of all makes and models of cars and vans. I specialise in fitting clutches among other repairs that I offer. Myself ...

20 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in London , 10 years of experience

I have in this field from last 10 years I worked in Europe and from last 5 years I have been working in UK 🇬🇧 and I know the Japanese car and German cars <a href='https://www.clickmechanic.com/' title='Clic...

57 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in York, 10 years of experience

Mobile services at home or at your works Is your car in need of its annual service? If so, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me today at Whatts Autos. I am a main dealer trained mechanic and will ensuri...

1630 Reviews

Garage in Sheffield , 8 years of experience

I started my career as a mechanic at BMW undertaking an apprenticeship which lasted 4 years. After learning all the tricks of the trade at BMW I then went onto Land Rover for 2 years further enhancing my ski...

791 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Braintree, 14 years of experience

Having previously worked for one of the U.K largest used car dealership I gained valuable experience working with all makes and models for 6 years. I then moved on to further my experience and worked for a...

295 Reviews

Garage in Winchester, 8 years of experience

Welcome to AIC Maintenance Group - We Offer a Specialist Mobile Mechanic Service at your home or work place throughout West Sussex, Hampshire & Surrey Are you looking for a professional car mechanic who can...

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Garage in , 15 years of experience

We take on all types of mechanical work along with mot tyre change servicing etc. we also will offer a recovery service where your vehiacle can be collected from your door and dropped off.

Frequently asked questions about car distributor repair & replacements

Read our answers to questions about car distributor repair costs, symptoms and more.

What does a Distributor do?

Older cars are usually fitted with a distributor, which is a device that distributes the electric energy from the iginition coil to the car's spark plugs situated in the engine's cylinders, which turn the electricity into a spark. Modern cars, on the other hand, usually have engines with direct ignition.

The distributor's two main components are the distributor rotor and cap. The rotor rotates within the distributor and distributes the high voltage electricity by way of contact points to the spark plug leads that are attached to the distributor cap. In turn the spark plug leads send the electricity to the spark plugs.

How do you know there is something wrong with the Distributor?

  • When the engine does not run smoothly.
  • When the 'Check Engine' light on the dashboard of your car is illuminated.
  • When the engine does not start.
  • When the engine's cylinders appear to misfire.
  • When there are unusual noises coming from the engine.

When should you consider a Distributor replacement?

Over time the rotor and cap's condition can deteriorate due to wear. The cap and the contact points inside can, for example, be affected by erosion or corrosion. Equally, carbon can build up inside the rotor cap on and around the contact points, diverting electricity from the points. Both lead to a decreased electric current to run from the rotor arm through the contact points, in turn leading to a diminished spark at the spark plug. Misfires inside the engine can then occur.

The condensor is instrumental in creating a flat electricity flow to the spark plugs, decreasing the voltage as well as absorbing undesirable voltage peaks created by the coil. It stores electricity from the coil when the distributor's contact points are open and releases it each time contact points close. If the condensor inside the distributor is faulty, the condensor cannot absorb the excess electricity from the coil. A faulty condensor can lead to excessive wear on the contact points and spark plugs as well as engine misfires.

It is therefore important to service the distributor as and when stipulated in the guidelines set out by your car's manufacturer. It is essential that the distributor is kept in a good condition, this should contribute to a prolonged distributor lifespan.

Should you experience problems like those noted earlier then it is important to have the distributor inspected and, if necessary, have it replaced.

What happens during a Distributor replacement?

  • Mechanic will inspect the ignition system.
  • If necessary, the mechanic will replace the distributor.
  • Mechanic will recalibrate the ignition timing.
  • Mechanic will advise if any other parts need to be replaced.
  • Mechanic will check the ignition system and test drive the car.
  • Mechanic will make any adjustments to the ignition if necessary.

How much does a Distributor replacement cost?

The cost of a distributor replacement depends on your car and what parts your car's manufacturer recommends using for the replacement. Find out what you could save by having your distributor replaced by Clickmechanic, by selecting your car at the top of this page!

What is a car distributor?

The distributor is part of the car's ignition system and plays a critical role in the ignition process. The distributor receives high voltage from the ignition coil to spark the individual spark plugs in the right order at the right time.

What are the symptoms of a bad distributor?

The most common symptoms of a faulty distributor are as follows:

  • Car fails to start because the distributor is unable to spark and kickstart the combustion process.
  • Engine misfires
  • Stalling of the vehicle.
  • If the distributor cap is malfunctioning, then you may also hear strange tapping or sputtering sounds from the engine.

Most modern cars no longer have a distributor and ignition is controlled via the ECU.

Can you drive a car with a bad distributor?

With a bad or faulty distributor you may be able to start the car but it is likely to cause misfires and engine stalling. In some cases, a bad distributor will fail to start the car. It is highy recommended to get a faulty distributor checked and repaired if needed by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.

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