dampness inside the distributer cap. cause and fix?

[Paul99]

I notice if trying to start the car after a couple of days, the car will almost start, but takes ages to start.  Found that if I remove the distributer cap, wipe dry, replace, I get instant start.

So some moisture must be getting into the cap.  I had heard that damp ness creeps up from the engine from moisture in the oil etc, but looking for resolutions.  The engine doesn't use water and the head etc is sound so the moisture must be minimal.

1) Will get and insert the "dust cap/cover" which sits between the cap and the distributer body.
2) 

Is there some thing in the distributer body that should stop the moisture getting to the cap, and is this replaceable/worn out?

Suggestions welcome - apart from wipe it every time you want to start it! 

many thanks.

[County Guy]

The problem could be also be the passage where the coil wire passes through the distributor to the points.  You could be getting moisture shorting out there.  I believe there is a spray available which will "moisture proof" the distributor.  You spray it on the exterior of the distributor.  Where are you wiping (drying) to get the results you want?  Good luck.

[Raymond]

Paul's suggestion is most likely.  For the hole where the condenser wire enters the side of the distributor, you could put a small amount of hi-temperature RTV on the outside to seal it.  But you could have a hairline crack in the distributor cap.  It's rare but I had that issue on a car some years ago.

[rutger kohler]

I have had a similar problem to this, also what someone has just asked about in the general forum re lumpy at low revs. It is usually after I have not used the car for a month or more.  The car starts ok but runs lumpy and has a "stutter miss" as you drive.  Dr MB suggested to me that it could be moisture in the dristributor cap so i sprayed it with an electronic spray cleaner on the inside. After this I could see small beads of moisture inside the cap which I wiped out and the problem disappeared.  There will be no problem unitl I leave the car again for a long period. It is winter down here so I guess that is a reason.  Don't know waht a long term fix is either, will just continue to spray and wipe after long rerst periods.

[Paul99]

OK thanks guys.  Will try those thoughts.  I will also get the dust cover which fits in between the cap and distibutrr body. That might help.

[rutger kohler]

Hi, I would be interested in a picture of the dustcap if anyone has one plse.

[Paul99]

here you go.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191339214867?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT 

Seems they came out around 1972-3 but fit all the old bosch distributers. 

[rutger kohler]

Hi, thanks for the link. I will definitely get one of these.

[ejboyd5]

I know England is rumored to be wet, but that is ridiculous. I live on the shore of a large salt water arm of the Atlantic, hence almost constant high humidity with daily temperature variations, and have never had a problem with condensation or any other moisture inside distributors.  I'm most curious as to what is causing your problem and suggest you turn your attention to solving the moisture accumulation before it ruins other parts of the car.