How much to replace distributor?

**zoopsta** · 02-06-2005 12:47 AM

Hey guys,

Iam just wondering, how much would you expect to pay (approximately) a mechanic to replace the distributor?

I found two such items on ebay, 1 brand new and 1 remanufactured:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33690

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33690

Now i'm not definately going ahead with this, but i may need to (i had TDC code from ECU check) - but iam going to look into further before deciding on replacing the dizzy.

I was quoted from Honda and a mechanic for ~$750 for just the dizzy, i was quite shocked, so yeah, the deals on ebay look alright.

thanks

oh and the car is a 94 civic GLi, engine code d15b7 i think

**barefootbonzai** · 02-06-2005 09:23 AM

Make sure that it's your dizzy playing up first before you do anything. The dizzy from ebay should be fine. My old dizzy also stuffed and did the same, ordered from ebay and got my machanic to install. Not a problem.

**bennjamin** · 02-06-2005 09:41 AM

I wouldnt NOT reccommend ANYTHING apart from an original OEM distributor. Anythign else WILL fail over time. There is a price difference yes...OEM new costs $1000+ !

What exactly is wrong with ur dizzy ? You CAN get it rebuilt - replace the igniter unit , internal coil and main bearing ( the main parts !) . To get a dizzy rebuilt costs around the $200-300 mark.

**barefootbonzai** · 02-06-2005 08:44 PM

Is this something you have experinced or seen happen bennjamin?

**ECU-MAN** · 02-06-2005 10:01 PM

remanufactured or recon dizzys can be crap, not saying they all are, but you can get unlucky. oem is the best way to go. and im not just saying this, i really meen it. a dizzy shell ( with sensors ) will cost about 600

**bennjamin** · 02-06-2005 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by barefootbonzai

Is this something you have experinced or seen happen bennjamin?

yup. 2 times over, with my last 2 hondas.
Both dizzies where replaced with aftermarket igniter modules and coils to save money - but in a short while they failed.

SO i spent another $300 each and got them rebuilt etc.
I strongly advice to get parts replaced with OEM parts. Anything else jsut cant be guarrenteed to last .

As they say - "Get it done right the first time "

**zoopsta** · 03-06-2005 02:19 AM

well they do provide a 3 year warranty:

3 Year Warranty

We will warranty this distributor for 3 years against workmanship. This does not include broken housings or castings or burnt ignition coil due to improper distributor cap installation.

(from the ebay site)

But yes, i will consider getting the dizzy rebuilt if it needs to be done.

**ONV73C** · 03-06-2005 07:42 AM

If you're getting one from ebay i've heard good reviews about a company called - distributorking ( www.distributorking.com ) they manufacture them.

most of the second hand ones from spare parts places aren't recon'd, they're just straight off another vehicle, tested and sold. And as said before OEM is > $1000 oooooouches

**bennjamin** · 03-06-2005 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by zoopsta

well they do provide a 3 year warranty:

3 Year Warranty

We will warranty this distributor for 3 years against workmanship. This does not include broken housings or castings or burnt ignition coil due to improper distributor cap installation.

(from the ebay site)

But yes, i will consider getting the dizzy rebuilt if it needs to be done.

Ask yourself.....3 years aftermarket .....or 10 years OEM ?

BTW , aftermarket will more often fail the "internal coil" , when a car is subjected to constant starting or flat battery situations ( found out hard way , TWICE) OEM is less likely to overheat in such a way. You get what you pay for