Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Seized Distributor... (Read 800 times) previous topic - next topic

Seized Distributor...

1991 8v PB motor on it's original Bosch distributor.

Looks to be a common failing and it's seized in solid... tried a few of the suggested remedies on the inter-web with no success.

It's got to the point it's getting damaged trying to rotate it and as much as I don't want to be buying a new distributor I'm more concerned it'll snap off in the block.

Am I missing something... been looking at images of removed ones - is the bottom gear meshing into something and that's what's holding it?

Been gently (then not so gently) tapping the main base and have used 'plusgas' for over a week now, again to no avail.

After initially pooling for a day or two the penetrant is now seeping in quickly throughout the entire circumference of the base but that's making no difference.

Try periodically rotating the upright using a pipe wrench but not even a suggestion of moving - I've reached the point the aluminium is starting to become damaged and even it came out tonight it'd be well chewed up.

Is heat an option considering it's location and / or internal electronics?

Re: Seized Distributor...

Reply #1 –
I had the same on my old one, went as far as taking the radiator out to give me some extra space allowing for bigger tools . I even used heat combined with penetrating fluid to allow it to boil.

Got no where and the stem was starting to get mashed.

I gave up and left it in the end till eventually it went in a garage. No idea how or even if they did it.

And I find myself in the same situation. As you know from my other posts the cars missing and it was suggested that I may have moved the dizzy fitting the cap - fat chance, it’s also solid so eager to hear words of wisdom from others.

Good luck

Re: Seized Distributor...

Reply #2 –
sometimes you have to say FXXX IT and give it a smash....  long chisel into the base of the stem try shock it free...  rad out stilsons and twist out..
get a replacement from  https://www.ignitioncarparts.co.uk/PartDetails.aspx?s_pc=027905205SN&s_vid= nothing wrong with gesr ive had and resold from them

Re: Seized Distributor...

Reply #3 –
Ah lovely. I had this with mine. I changed the cambelt and apparently got the dizzy sprocket one tooth out. So when the guy came to tune it he couldn't. Then followed about an hour of whacking the base to loosen it because the dizzy was fused in. Used a small chisel hammered at 45degrees to the block at the join. The dizzy now has a chunk missing from the bottom of its casing but works absolutely fine. The fins on my nice nice new radiator got mashed in the process too tho..
That was a mixed day of succes. The timing was fixed but then the tuning guy removed the top off the MAF and moved the "pointy thing". Which is apparently a no-no. (apparently the MAF doesn't work in a "linear way"). The car was a pig to drive until I had it replaced it with a secondhand one by a local VW specialist. That left me circa £200 lighter!
1991 Tornado Red BB 8v GTI Moredoor
2008 Skoda Octy Scout aka dirty diesel

Re: Seized Distributor...

Reply #4 –
Unless it will free up without resorting to even more force I think I'll leave as is until it's absolutely necessary.

The car ran fine (granted that was over 10 years ago now) and the distributor obviously hasn't shifted from its seized position so shouldn't need adjustment if everything else is set up correctly. Famous last words!

The reason I wanted to free it now was exactly because access is so good, everything is literally off at the moment. If it was sorted now it could help with any potential future adjustment requirements rather than have to take it all apart again then.

I did the Bosch air flow meter on the 205 which is more or less identical to the Bosch MAF on a MK2. The componentry is very basic and can be easily adjusted but only if you've read up fully on it first and have as a minimum a CO2 meter.

I've read posts on the main 205 forum where people have been trying to do it by counting the number of screw turns / spring position / notches moved and the like...  that'll maybe get things into the rough ball park area but I found that fractions of a turn can make a significant difference and that's only really controllable using the meter readings.

Re: Seized Distributor...

Reply #5 –
And it's off.

Would never have been happy had I just left it... car's a keeper and the future me wouldn't have been pleased if I'd just kicked the problem into the long grass.

Spent a few hours trying to see if I could get another Bosch, however as I'm now finding out with this being a very late car (complete with factory cross over MK3 bits) that was much easier said than done.

Eventually got one in Germany (be interesting to see how customs go, but beggars can't be choosers and couldn't find another decent one elsewhere) so armed with the knowledge that if it all went badly wrong at least I had a replacement and took the big hammer to the old one.

Some of the write ups about seized distributors lay the blame with the aluminium / iron block reacting, which may well be true is some cases, but it was the seal that turned out to be my issue.

Have to assume it was the original one (green) and over the years it'd morphed into some kind of super welded on sealant... even proved difficult to get out of the groove on the distributor shaft when it eventually gave in. Might explain why the penetrant wasn't working, I don't think there'd be much that could affect it

Lesson learned - New seals are only a few quid, and they're now a service item for me from now on, bit of extra work, but nothing compared to unseizing it again.



   



Re: Seized Distributor...

Reply #7 –
Very useful site that... plenty of info. to help identify or cross reference Bosch / VW numbers.

They also surprised me and had the exact one I was after, though only in reconditioned form. No one else that I could find in the UK stocked or could get it.

The stem on my original was getting chewed up and it eventually lost a small chunk from the base before it caved in and freed itself.

The list price Ignitioncarparts were quoting would've needed me to exchanged it to recoup a surcharge and it was going to be a gamble whether or not it would've been acceptable to them.

The German one was NOS Bosch with no exchange and even adding postage / VAT has (so far!) worked out about half the price... if there is some additional duty to pay it should still be a bit cheaper in the end, plus I keep the original... That's since cleaned up quite well with some sanding, though there's still a bit missing which is a shame, even though it's only cosmetic.

I'm the first to admit I lucked out getting the German one as it was a one of, don't see that happening again. Doubly so because that particular version in any condition seems hard to get - another legacy of it being a late model car, don't know?

If it hadn't been for that I wouldn't have hesitated to take the recon. one... even at full whack it was still a fair price for a Bosch.

 


 

Re: Seized Distributor...

Reply #8 –
Quote from: L90E on
Very useful site that... plenty of info. to help identify or cross reference Bosch / VW numbers.

They also surprised me and had the exact one I was after, though only in reconditioned form. No one else that I could find in the UK stocked or could get it.

The stem on my original was getting chewed up and it eventually lost a small chunk from the base before it caved in and freed itself.

The list price Ignitioncarparts were quoting would've needed me to exchanged it to recoup a surcharge and it was going to be a gamble whether or not it would've been acceptable to them.

The German one was NOS Bosch with no exchange and even adding postage / VAT has (so far!) worked out about half the price... if there is some additional duty to pay it should still be a bit cheaper in the end, plus I keep the original... That's since cleaned up quite well with some sanding, though there's still a bit missing which is a shame, even though it's only cosmetic.

I'm the first to admit I lucked out getting the German one as it was a one of, don't see that happening again. Doubly so because that particular version in any condition seems hard to get - another legacy of it being a late model car, don't know?

If it hadn't been for that I wouldn't have hesitated to take the recon. one... even at full whack it was still a fair price for a Bosch.

 


 

Hmmm never had to send 1 back yet... maybe times have changed.... its 3 yrs since last bought for mk2, have had a fair few for mk1s though, never needed to return.. Cant think though last 1 i got.

Last major item as such was a starter, under brand NAPA turns out is a bosch reboxed.  and 30 cheaper.. although not put on car yet
 

Re: Seized Distributor...

Reply #9 –
When I initially put in the part number my heart leapt that they even stocked them let alone a Bosch one, then it took another flutter when I saw the price.

Unfortunately if you follow through to the checkout it's then that a £65.00 surcharge is added, plus postage on top - presumabley both ways, didn't carry on to find out! Good to know though that at least they're obtainable, if at a price.

Just put in the MK1's numbers and they've a new non-Bosch brand that's a straight sale price without the need for an exchange.

Glad to say I'll not be needing one for that car, curiosity got the better of me today and I had a go at removing it so I could start tracking one down now... came straight out with no fuss, even though it's been sitting even longer than the MK2.

Likely because there's no seal on it and after checking images of others on-line it seems it isn't just a case of mine is missing, none of them have one.... MK2 must've evolved to incorporate it maybe?