Notices
964 Forum 1989-1994
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

distributor cap spark?

Old Jul 9, 2009 | 12:18 PM
  #1  
Henry964's Avatar
Henry964
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 0
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Unhappy distributor cap spark?

Last night I noticed a small spark flashing in the top-middle of the upper distributor cap....does it mean the cap is leaking/ broken?
The caps were both changed recently (march) so I didnīt expect this problem now
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2009 | 12:25 PM
  #2  
springer3's Avatar
springer3
Addict
Rennlist Member

20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 52
From: Atlanta
Default

You are seeing high-voltage insulation breakdown. The caps should be OK if they are new. What about the wires?
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2009 | 12:29 PM
  #3  
dfinnegan's Avatar
dfinnegan
Drifting
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 25
From: NY, USA
Default

I've read here that some of the new caps are coming through with a protective coating on them that can inhibit continuity.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2009 | 05:36 PM
  #4  
Henry964's Avatar
Henry964
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 0
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Default

Thanks springer3 and dfinnegan!!!

regarding wires I just bought a new set of Beru wires ...are this wires included in the Beru set??
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2009 | 06:03 PM
  #5  
darth's Avatar
darth
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 985
Likes: 1
Default

I suspect once the wires are replaced the spark will disappear.This is a tell tale sign that the wires and/or possibly the spark plugs need replacing. the coating is there for a purpose: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4652705.html

Bill
90C2
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2009 | 06:40 PM
  #6  
Henry964's Avatar
Henry964
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 0
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Default

Thanks darth!!!!

Do you know if this specific wire is part of the Beru set
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2009 | 07:01 PM
  #7  
dfinnegan's Avatar
dfinnegan
Drifting
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 25
From: NY, USA
Default

The coil wires should be part of the set.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2009 | 07:49 PM
  #8  
darth's Avatar
darth
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 985
Likes: 1
Default

Where did you buy the set from? It should be listed. There's no guarantee it will be included but when I purchased my set from a non dealer it was included. You can replace the spark plugs first being the least expensive and easiest to replace and see if you see any improvment. If not, then replace the wires but if they're the original they likely need replacing even if they visually look OK. Over time the rubber/silicone insulation develops micro cracks which allow voltage to escape hence the sparks you see and even the center conductor starts to detererate and resistance increases beyond the spec. The center conductor is not a perfect conductor in that there is a certain resistance per foot built into the conductor so that your radio isn't affected.

Bill
90C2
Reply
Rennlist Stories

The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts

story-0

9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Porsche 911 GT3 S/C vs 718 Spyder RS: 10 Categories, One Winner

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Porsche Colors That Have More Personality Than Most People

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Guntherwerks' Final Speedster Creation Is the Ultimate Porsche Restomod

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 10:10 AM
  #9  
Henry964's Avatar
Henry964
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 0
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Default

I bought the set from Vertex, it is the Beru set for 964
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 08:17 PM
  #10  
dutchcrunch's Avatar
dutchcrunch
Rennlist Member
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 2
From: indianapolis
Default sparks

clean the exterior cap lugs
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 11:34 PM
  #11  
darth's Avatar
darth
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 985
Likes: 1
Default

It appears in the photo.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
Vertex 964 wire set.jpg (31.2 KB, 626 views)
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2009 | 10:33 AM
  #12  
Henry964's Avatar
Henry964
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 0
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Default

Thanks dutchcrunch and darth!!!! your help is much appreciated
Reply


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -3. The time now is 03:14 PM.

story-0
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches

Slideshow: Long before engineering consulting became trendy, Porsche was quietly helping other automakers build everything from supercars to economy hatchbacks.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-15 12:44:44


VIEW MORE
story-1
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand

Slideshow: Some brands build cars. Porsche builds traditions, obsessions, and a few habits that stopped making sense decades ago but somehow became part of the charm.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-13 18:46:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way

Slideshow: Six years and 500 Rennlist articles later, these are the biggest changes at Porsche.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-11 09:52:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)

Slideshow: Some Porsches exist for very specific reasons-others feel like they were built just to see if anyone would notice.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 18:00:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C vs 718 Spyder RS: 10 Categories, One Winner

Slideshow: Choosing between the 911 GT3 S/C and 718 Spyder RS in 10 key categories to determine one surprising winner.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 12:51:46


VIEW MORE
story-5
This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation

Slideshow: A small Polish tuner has reimagined the Porsche 911 Slantnose for the modern era, blending 1980s nostalgia with widebody tuning culture and serious performance upgrades.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-01 10:49:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture

Slideshow: Porsche has created a Japan-only 911 GT3 Artisan Edition that blends track-ready hardware with design cues inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-28 19:37:40


VIEW MORE
story-7
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look

Slideshow: Porsche's latest electric Cayenne Coupe blends dramatic styling with supercar acceleration, turning the brand's midsize SUV into a 1,139-horsepower flagship.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-27 19:39:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Porsche Colors That Have More Personality Than Most People

Slideshow: Porsche's wildest paint colors aren't just shades-they're full-blown personalities on four wheels.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-27 19:38:13


VIEW MORE
story-9
Guntherwerks' Final Speedster Creation Is the Ultimate Porsche Restomod

Slideshow: The last of the Speedsters doesn't just close a chapter, it makes quite the bold, air-cooled statement.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:55:04


VIEW MORE