Why does distributor cap constantly need to be replaced?

Sounds more like you have a parts changer, not a mechanic. What do you mean by keeps coming back? Does it go away? or is it always present? Has he checked the signal from the ECU to the injectors?

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Distributor

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Inspect/Replace

To Remove

• Disconnect the distributor wiring connector and the vacuum advance hose, if the vehicle is so equipped.
• Remove the distributor cap and note the position of the rotor. Mark the position on the distributor housing.
• On some vehicles, it may be necessary to remove the spark plug wires from the cap prior to cap removal.
• Note the position of the vacuum advance, then remove the distributor holddown bolt and clamp.
• Pull the distributor from the engine. Most distributors will need to be twisted as they are pulled out of their bore.
• Once the distributor is removed, install a shop towel in the distributor opening to keep foreign material out of the engine block.
• The entire assembly should be cleaned thoroughly. Make sure all solvent residue is completely removed.

Installing and Timing a Distributor
The following procedure may be followed to install the distributor and time it to the engine, if all reference marks were made during the removal of the distributor:

• Lubricate the O-ring on the distributor shaft.
• Position the rotor so that it is aligned with the mark made on the distributor housing prior to removal.
• Align the distributor housing with the mark made on the engine block during removal.
• Lower the distributor into the engine block, making sure the distributor drive is fully seated.
• Distributors equipped with a helical drive gear will rotate at the distributor is being installed, causing the distributor to move away from the reference marks.
• Pay attention to how much the rotor moves.
• Remove the distributor and move the rotor backward the same amount. This should allow the shaft to rotate while the distributor is being installed and still be aligned with the reference marks.
• Make sure the distributor housing is fully seated against the engine block. Sometimes it may be necessary to wiggle or rock the distributor to seat it fully into the drive gear.
• Distributors with drive lugs must be mated with the drive grooves in the camshaft. Both are offset to eliminate the possibility of installing a distributor 180 degrees out of time.

The distributor must be aligned with the camshaft drive to seat the distributor in the engine block or cylinder head.

• Rotate the distributor a small amount so the timer core teeth and pick-up teeth are aligned.
• Install the distributor holddown clamp and bolt, leaving the bolt slightly loose.
• Install the spark plug wires in the direction of distributor shaft rotation and in the cylinder firing order.
• Connect the distributor wiring connectors. The vacuum advance hose is usually left disconnected until the timing is set with the engine running.

If the engine has been cranked while the distributor is removed, or no marks were made during removal, use this procedure to reinstall the distributor:
To be sure that the number one cylinder is on its compression stroke, observe the rocker arms to see that they are both moving. Then, rotate the crankshaft one revolution until the rocker arms for the companion to cylinder number one are both moving at TDC (top dead center). Align the timing mark and install the distributor with its rotor pointing to the number one spark plug cable in the distributor cap.

• Remove the spark plug from cylinder #1. Install a test plug in the end of the spark plug wire and position the test plug away from you and cylinder #1.

• Place your thumb over the bore for the spark plug and crank the engine until compression is felt.

• Lightly crank the engine while observing the timing marks on the crankshaft pulley. Once the timing marks are aligned, stop cranking.

• Identify the position for the #1 spark plug wire on the distributor cap.

• Determine which way the distributor shaft will rotate when it is lowered onto the camshaft gear. Then position the rotor so that it will be under the #1 terminal on the distributor cap after the distributor gear is meshed with the camshaft gear.

• After the distributor is installed in the engine, turn the distributor housing slightly so the pickup coil is aligned with the reluctor.

• Install the distributor holddown clamp and bolt. Hand tighten the bolt.

• Connect the pickup leads to the wiring harness.

• Install the spark plug wires onto the distributor cap according to the engine's firing order. Check to make sure everything that was disconnected before the distributor was removed, is now connected. Connect a timing light and prepare the engine for an ignition timing check and adjustment.

Check for play in distributor rotor shaft as they get worn out and need replacement. Remove distributor cap and hold the rotor from top and try to move it, ideally it should not move sideways.

Hi there;This is for a 2000 Nissan Truck Pathfinder 4WD 3.3L SFI 6cyl


Distributor Cap & Rotor - Removal & Installation


NOTE
The 1996-00 3.3L engines were equipped with a distributor.


Disconnect the negative battery cable.
If the distributor cap is to be replaced, mark the ignition wires for identification and remove them from the distributor cap.
Remove any components necessary to access the distributor cap.
Completely loosen the distributor cap mounting fasteners.
Carefully remove the distributor cap, taking care not to damage the cap seal or rotor, then position the cap aside.
If necessary, remove the rotor retainer.
Carefully lift the rotor off the distributor shaft.
NOTE
Inspect the distributor cap to housing seal for damage and/or cracks. Replace if cracks are detected.




To install:


Install the rotor onto the distributor shaft and tighten the rotor mounting fastener, if equipped.
Position the distributor cap seal on the distributor housing, then position the distributor cap on the housing.
Install the distributor cap by tightening the mounting fasteners in a crisscross pattern. Use care to not over-tighten the fasteners.
Reconnect the spark plug wires, making sure to install them exactly in the same position from which they were removed.
Reconnect the negative battery cable.

Hope this helps; also keep in mind that your feedback is important and I`ll appreciate your time and consideration if you leave some testimonial comment about this answer.

Thank you for using FixYa, have a nice day.

I used to have a 1984 Bronco II which would wick oil up into the distributor, Ford eventually redesigned it and it was OK. A reason why you should never buy the first model year of anything. You need to buy a new distributor, or at least replace the O-ring seal which is supposed to keep all crankcase stuff inside the crankcase. The car is nearly 15 and I would go with a new distributor if you can get one, did not even think Mazda still had distributors in that year. If you have never pulled a distributor, have someone else do this as you will never get the spark timed right and you will end up giving the car away.

Usually, you only replace the Distributor Cap and Rotor, not the Distributor itself.

I’m happy to help further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_69f3cc28d95bf514

Spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap, and distributor rotor. If you replace all of these you would be doing what is called a major tune-up.

A regular tune-up would be just replacing the spark plugs.

You can check the integrity of the plug wires and distributor cap by spraying them with water while the engine is running. If the engine runs ruff, stall, or you see spark arcing from either the wires or the distributor cap than they will need to be replaced.

The distributor rotor always gets replaced when you replace the distributor cap.

You can also spray the coil with soapy water to see if it is leaking as well.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

They may be right. I cannot find the part. here is what the manual says:

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION The camshaft position sensor is located inside the distributor. On some distributors, the camshaft position sensor is not serviceable (replacement parts may not be available separately). If the camshaft position sensor is serviceable, use the following procedure.

1. Remove the distributor cap and wires.
2. Remove the rotor.
3. Remove the camshaft position sensor cap.
4. Remove the camshaft position sensor mounting screws.
5. Carefully remove the camshaft position sensor.

To install:

1. Position the camshaft position sensor in the distributor and tighten the mounting screws securely.
2. Install the camshaft position sensor cap.
3. Install the rotor.
4. Install the distributor cap and wires.

How do you install a distributor on a 1999 Honda Civic?

Not sure about your engine size so please pick your model:

2.5L Engine

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions section.
   
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   • Bolt holding air inlet resonator to intake manifold.
     
   • Clamps holding air cleaner cover to air cleaner housing.
     
   • PCV make-up air hose from air inlet tube.
     
   • Hose clamp at throttle body.
     
   • Air inlet tube, resonator and air cleaner cover.
     
   • EGR tube.
     
   • Spark plug cables from distributor cap.
     
3. Loosen distributor cap hold down screws and remove cap
   NOTE The rotor is friction-fitted to the distributor shaft and can be pulled straight off.
   
   
4. Transfer cables from old cap to new cap. The cap and cables are numbered with their corresponding cylinder numbers.
   

Distributor cap—2.5L and 3.0L Engines

To install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   
   • Distributor cap.
     
   • Distributor holddown washers and nuts and torque to 9 ft. lbs (13 Nm)
     
   • EGR tube.
     
   • Air inlet tube, resonator and air cleaner cover.
     
   • Hose clamp at throttle body.
     
   • PCV make-up air hose from air inlet tube.
     
   • Clamps holding air cleaner cover to air cleaner housing and securely tighten.
     
   • Bolt holding air inlet resonator to intake manifold and securely tighten.
     

3.0L Engine

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions section.
   
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   • Air cleaner
     
   • Spark plug cables from distributor cap.
     
3. Loosen distributor cap hold down screws and remove cap
   NOTE The rotor is friction-fitted to the distributor shaft and can be pulled straight off.
   
   
4. Transfer cables from old cap to new cap. The cap and cables are numbered with their corresponding cylinder numbers.
   

To install:


Distributor cap—2.5L and 3.0L Engines

1. Install or connect the following:
2. Distributor rotor
   

• Distributor cap
  

NOTE Make sure the new cap has an O-ring in its base.

• Distributor holddown washers and nuts and torque to 20 inch lbs. (2.3 Nm)
  
• Air cleaner