Just replaced the dizzy cap and rotor button.
Original cap had a thin back plastic molded cover on it.
What's it spossed to do ?

That way I'll know if I should get a new one to replace the old one that fell apart.......

 

I believe it was intended to act as a dust cover/keep moisture out

 

The distributor cover basically just traps moisture and can cause issues. Don't replace it. Anyone else who still has it on in their car should remove it.

EDIT: As told to me by my local non-dealership Volvo-only repair shop.

 

If it was inside the cap, I believe it is the flash shield. I would replace it if the original fell apart.

EDIT: If it was externally covering the cap, follow Tech's advice.


JPN

 

I disagree with removing the black cover on the Dist. cap itself.
It protects it from many things.
The ones that don't come with them or don't have them usually have more problems than the OEM ones with it.

 

Tech, were there 850s that came with external dist cap cover?


JPN

 

They all did from the factory.

 

My God, then someone removed mine.

Thanks,


JPN

 

Taaa all.
Was the one outside the cap, not the internal sheild.
Cleaned the internal sheild with metho before I put it back in. Looked in good condition.
I kinda suspected by the condition of the exsisting cap/button they were the original (Buuuurnt, close to arcing across inside).
The amount of 'dust' and dirt between the cap and this 'sheild' made me very suss of it's 'benefits'.
Could see the potential for moisture being trapped and causing arcing.

I just can't see any reason for it's exsistance. 'Scratches head'

 

Hey now,

If there are parts under the hood when you open it, the same parts should be there when it's closed.

The parts areengineered because they're needed, not to look good.

If you start removing things that you don't think are needed you may have problems later.

If you take it offyour car,put it back on. Didn't hurt your Brick before, won't hurt it now.


[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

maybe the previous owner was trying to shave some weight off thecar to go reysssssssss!


[8D]

 

And my 850 is smoother and faster with the few things I have 'left' off.
There's also the matter of leaving broken/defective parts in place.
Yes. I understand the concept of replacing broken bits, but sometimes you have to look at a part and say,
What the f were they on when they put this in ?
Sometimes a bit of selective 'pruning' is beneficial.

This dizzy cover is one of those wtf things.
It's comprehensively deteriorated/crumbling/stuffed, so it didn't go back on.
Heck, wouldn't be able to if I wanted it to. It just fell apart in my hands.

And to be honest, I can't see a reason for it's exsistance.
Not like it's going to stop water or arc over.
The amount of dirt etc under it made me worry about voltage leakage/arcing across under it.

Have never seen a 'cover' like it before in my life.
If it really made such a difference then I imagine other breeds would have something similar.

Which all really brings me back to the first post I made.
"Why is it there.
Do I really need to replace it ?"

I think the answer is,
Nobody knows for sure.
and,
No.

 

My 850 never had it (the prev owner removed it) and I never had ignition related problems. My '88 Accord LX-i didn't have it and it never had problems. My '87 Ford Escort had it and it was the worst car I've driven[8D]. On the other hand, I still would follow Tech's advice. I'd like to know if Lexus put those things, but I doubt it because most likely they don't use distributor.


JPN

 

i would say, not needed. At first, I thought the OP was referring to the CAP but didnt know what it was for...since my 850 doesnt have the shield either.