4.3 V6 Distributor cap and rotor problems.Massachu

[sjspor]

My 2001 Extended cab V6 has now gone through 2 sets of cap and rotors in 37,000 miles.  I am looking for some help in trying to figure out what the bug here is.  

 

The first cap and rotor failed around 17,000 miles in the middle of 495 in Massachusetts.  The truck backfired twice and that was it.

It was towed to the local Chevy Dealer and removed from the flatbed in thier garage.  They could'nt hide my camper though which came in on the 2nd tow truck..

 

Any way, they found the bug, and fixed it right away, the best service I've ever gotten from a dealer, Thanks Cranbury Chevrolet.

 

The Service writer said the inside the cap had "black goo" in it.  

I did;nt see the cap. I did however look things over and decided

the A/C suction line passing right over the top dripping nice cold

condsation may have a role in this, so I cover the suction line in foil faced insulation.  This was last July.

 

Now in April, at 37,000 miles I am starting to get some static on the radio, and then I had to get on it one afternoon, and the engine started missing badly, pinging and the SES light was set.  

 

Pulled the cap and rotor and found the the carbon contact on the cap worn down to the metal.  But there is also some brown and white contamination in the cap and under the rotor.  As well as white ash on the posts of the cap, this may normal ozone stuff however.  

 

So my question is, anybody else having these problems, or heard mechanics mention this??  My plan right now is to get another cap and rotor and leave it in the truck, and change it during the summer some time to take a look.  Any help would be

appreciated

 

I have pictures, how do I add them to the post??   Or I can send them...

 

Thanks...

Steve

[Shaners]

I don't think it is "normal", and I would consider a trip back to your dealer.  I know you are out of warranty, but not by much and it is a re-occuring problem, and if your dealer is a decent guy he will take care of it, and look deeper into the problem and still back-date the warranty so that it is covered.

 

I think it is worth a try, because the computer controlled electronics on these trucks could be a nightmare for your wallet!!!

[DeezBlueZ]

My 94 GMC 4.3 would eat cap and rotors about every 20k miles.  Mine looked like what you are describing...carbon tracking and ozone residue.  The dealership mechanic says the 4.3 V6 are notorious for this.  I kept an eye on mine every oil change.  Give it a quick wiping out and a shot of WD-40 or equilavent.