Hi all newb here,

I am thinking about doing the distributor cap and rotor because I am not sure when it was done last. I replaced the air filter and the last guy to do it wrote the date and millage which was about 2 1/2 years ago and 20 k miles. So, figure it is probably time for these other maintenance items as well.

The car is a 1990 740 turbo wagon (B230FT).

Anyway is this job straight forward? I have heard that on some rotor jobs you need to set the number one piston to top dead center. Do we need to do that with this motor or is it just plug and play?

Thanks,

 

HOnestly I would check the rotor and cap for cracking or obvious issues. If there are nnone clean it and put it back on.

 

ok i will check it before i buy but do i need to set the motor number one piston to top dead center? Or, will that rotor only go on one way so no need to sweet it?

I will tell you that clean filter really improved my fuel economy.

 

Both the cap and rotor are keyed, so they only go on one way.

BUT (note the big BUT) when replacing the cap, take careful note of what plug wire goes into which hole in the cap!!! Your manual should have a drawing of the order or just make a drawing (or pic) before you start. Mess this up and your engine will run like crap (if it starts at all)!

 

Go to www.stepbystepvolvo.com and click on "Noises, Poor Performance, Easy Fixes, and Tune Up."

 

Thanks fellers... information noted. That deal about the car not starting without the correct order I have learned the hard way. Had a 6 cylinder with an ignition control module and had plug 5 and 6 switched because when I wrote the number on the plug wire they looked similar. Anyway, car would start for a second backfire and die. Finally decided to recheck the wire order -- I thought that the problem was a vac line that I patched together with old hose. Anyway started right up after set the wires to the proper order.

Thanks again!