A4 electronic ignition

[Jason K]

I screwed up my distributor by attaching the condensor with the wrong size screw. It was a little dramatic, as I didn't know that particular engine part could move in that particular way. I hate my motor. Really.

Anyway, the replacement distributor from Moyer Marine (the only place I can find one) has the electronic ignition. I am sure that this can't help but be anything other than an improvement. So, I have a couple of questions -

1. Are there any other parts or pieces I should purchase when I get the electronic ignition equiped distributor?

2. Any operational issues I should be aware of? Spare parts?

3. Another source than Moyer Marine? I really like the guys over there, but they will only ship UPS, which may take a month (literally) to get here. I don't have that time.

[bcooke]

So,... did you use a longer screw that protruded down into the rotating part below the plate that the points and condensor mount to? I can't remember what it looks like under the mounting plate but I didn't think there was anything that would catch on a screw. Funny how quickly you can damage the machinery... or maybe not.

No, you won't need any other parts. The "electronic ignition" is just a magnet and detector that replaces the points. The rest of the system remains the same and operates just like before. The electronic module is much more reliable than the old points so unless you want to be extremely well prepared I wouldn't worry about a spare electronic module. I have heard people say the electronic ignition operates with more electrical current and so the coil runs hotter and is apt to burn out faster. I think the evidence is mixed but a spare coil is cheap and probably good insurance.

All the parts could be purchased through an auto parts store but I don't know the part numbers to order off the top of my head. The electronic ignition unit that moyer sells is a generic unit designed for four cylinder engines. Nothing special about it. All the parts should be available through any auto parts store but I think it depends on the parts catalogs the store subscribes to. I haven't had as much luck through the local NAPA as others seem to.

If you are willing to do a little investigation, Universal used to supply motors to Jeep which were nearly the same as the A4. Old Jeep motor parts are probably the same as A4 parts. I keep meaning to do some investigation but haven't got there yet.

I will rumage around and see what I have for part numbers that auto parts stores can recognize.

-Britton

[bcooke]

Oh, Your screw went into the flyweights that change the timing as the engine speed changes.

Is your distributor really so damaged that it needs replacing?

-Britton

[Jason K]

Thanks Britton.

That was the only thing I could figure, but it appears I was wrong. I may indeed have used too long a screw, but Ken at Moyer Marine says that would not cause what I was describing. We have reached the conclusion that the engine must have gotten pretty wet during the storm and that has caused a host of problems. The dramatic twisting of the entire distributor assembly occurred because the shaft is locked solidly inside the housing. That, apparently, is not terribly uncommon if the assembly gets wet. It also caused a short where the points are insulated.

So, I am going to replace the entire distributor assembly and upgrade to the electronic ignition. I will be purchasing this from Moyer Marine. I'll spend a bit extra to pay one of their warehouse guys to drive to a FedEx drop off point, but I would feel guilty relying on them that heavily for advice and then not purchasing from them.

[bcooke]

but I would feel guilty relying on them that heavily for advice and then not purchasing from them.

That's kinda how I feel too. I try not to go too far with it though :-)

So something in the distributor froze up. Sounds interesting... I mean bad. (mechanics like to see broken stuff, normal wear and tear is just soooo boring...)

Nice avatar by the way ;-)

-Britton

[Jason K]

Well, the Atomic Bomb is humming along nicely. I replaced so much trying to figure out what the problem is, I've got the darn thing running better than she has since I've had the boat. I just need to tweak the tranny a little bit and I'll be able to move the boat to a safer spot.

It was indeed the distributor - That thing was frozen SOLID. Lesson learned - keep the distributor dry. I have no idea how it got wet; I have no other real indications water got that high. Though, I did have to replace a battery that was only six months old.

One of the cockpit locker lids was blown off, so the bilge was open to a hurricane and tropical storm conditions from the edge of Hurricane Rita. Scary.

[bcooke]

Well, the Atomic Bomb is humming along nicely.

So do you love your A4 now or is it still too early?

-Britton

[Jason K]

We are once again on speaking terms, yet there remains is a chill in the air as we still don't trust each other.

[grampianman]

Opps, wrong female.

Cheers,
Ian