Curious as to what everybody feels is a good schedule for a cap and rotor change on my 1996 GMC Jimmy. also how often do you guys change yours. been getting the truck ready to pass on to my son. believe the last time I changed it was around 20,000 miles or a little over 2 years ago.
Cap and Rotor change
- Thread starter matrass
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I always change the cap and rotor at each spark plug replacement.
However, some cars have poorly designed distributor caps that fail long before the spark plugs do, and you should keep that in mind. Did your truck ever give you trouble with distributor caps?
Many Vortec 4300 and 5700 engines had a distributor cap where the wires cam out from the sides, instead of the top like earlier GM truck engines. Those distributor caps with plug wires that come out the side are trouble prone.
If you have the more trouble prone cap, maybe now would be the time to buy a premium replacement cap.
However, some cars have poorly designed distributor caps that fail long before the spark plugs do, and you should keep that in mind. Did your truck ever give you trouble with distributor caps?
Many Vortec 4300 and 5700 engines had a distributor cap where the wires cam out from the sides, instead of the top like earlier GM truck engines. Those distributor caps with plug wires that come out the side are trouble prone.
If you have the more trouble prone cap, maybe now would be the time to buy a premium replacement cap.
I used to change them every 30k with the copper plugs. What I recently realize is that they don't make much of a difference and I've been using the same cap for 60k now. What I do notice is that the rotor tends to wear out first and deposit start forming on the cap's connector.
Probably inspect every 30k and change it out if it gets too "burnt"?
Probably inspect every 30k and change it out if it gets too "burnt"?
I personally change my cap, rotor and ignition cables every 100,000 km (60,000 miles). Service manual specifies 60,000 miles or 5 years - whichever comes first.
I think it would be worthwhile inspecting them at 30,000 miles and replace as necessary.
I think it would be worthwhile inspecting them at 30,000 miles and replace as necessary.
I once had a distributor cap that was moisture damaged. It had green gunk on the inside terminals causing misfires.
On some distributor caps, they are equipped with a vent to help with the moisture problem. Of course the cap that went bad didn't have that.
On some distributor caps, they are equipped with a vent to help with the moisture problem. Of course the cap that went bad didn't have that.
Stay away from junk aftermarket stuff on the GM side terminal caps. I had the same cap on my '96 GMC for about 10 years and around 100K miles. I thought I should probably replace it and the rotor I got stupid and bought an Autozone cap, the best they had (whoop-te-doo premium). It lasted about a year, before the truck would not start. Figured out it was the cap, No signs of moisture or carbon tracking. I put the old cap back on after cleaning the contacts, drove it until I sold it this last fall. Apparently something went wrong with the internal runs in the cap (i.e. dielectric breakdown or an open). In the future, I'll be inclined to inspect and clean the OEM and if it looks good, put it back on.
I replace my cap and rotor every 20,000 miles. I use the better quality Napa parts with brass contacts, made by Echlin. I replace the plugs at every 20,000 and the wires at every 40,000. I use Autolite copper core plugs and the premium Napa wires from Belden. Never had a single problem with any of these parts.
On the 4.3 stick with the AC Delco cap. a 60K service interval is usually good for this cap/rotor. I have also found that engine to perform best with AC Delco or NGK plugs, and I always use AC Delco wires.
I'd use Standard or NAPA/Echlin parts for 60k without batting an eye.
Wells does seem to be junk
Wells does seem to be junk
The cap/rotor/wires on my 96 Tahoe have a little over 100K on them and they are still fine, they were either AC Delco or Napa. I just changed the plugs last year and the gap on the old plugs was dead on at .060.
Rotors can blow through the middle. Usually another part is weak, like a pug or wire when this happens.
Get a good one - 2 years is safe and will prevent problems, but many go much longer.
Caps only have 1/8 the wear on the terminals compared to the rotor terminal - anyone ever think about that? You can clean up the cap terminals, and go more than 2 years. Double that for the cap.
Get a good one - 2 years is safe and will prevent problems, but many go much longer.
Caps only have 1/8 the wear on the terminals compared to the rotor terminal - anyone ever think about that? You can clean up the cap terminals, and go more than 2 years. Double that for the cap.
Thanks for the responses everybody. I had replaced the cap and rotor last time with AC/Delco oem parts. was planning on changing the rotor soon with the same oem part and inspect the cap. last time I changed the cap and rotor the rotor had signs of wear but the cap was in a lot better shape than I expected. never had an issue with the original cap which had over 50,000 miles on it.
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