Worn Distributor Gear

Wrecker · May 1, 2009

I own a 2001 S-10. At 110,000 km's I had to replace the dist gear, as the teeth were worn out, truck wouldn't run. Since then I've had to change it 3 more times (now at 180,000 km's) has anyone experienced this, and/or can you help?

Haven't checked the cam, mechanic says dist itself looks fine.

pennzoil29 · May 1, 2009

Welcome aboard Something has to be chewing it up. Once or twice over time is understandable, but 3 times would lead me to think something is wrong. Maybe some one with more knowledge will help you out. Good luck.

Sigmawess · May 1, 2009

Welcome aboard Something has to be chewing it up. Once or twice over time is understandable, but 3 times would lead me to think something is wrong. Maybe some one with more knowledge will help you out. Good luck.

Not trying to jack the thread, but, Jeff, I dont know if you have noticed. I think there is a ladder on top of your truck.

pennzoil29 · May 1, 2009

Welcome aboard Something has to be chewing it up. Once or twice over time is understandable, but 3 times would lead me to think something is wrong. Maybe some one with more knowledge will help you out. Good luck.

Not trying to jack the thread, but, Jeff, I dont know if you have noticed. I think there is a ladder on top of your truck.

There are six of them to be exact.

Draenor · May 1, 2009

The problem, is that there is so much metal shavings from the 1st time , that it is destroying the replacements. You may have to pull the cam and inspect.

*edit* Sure you're installing it correctly?

Wrecker · May 1, 2009

^ my mechanic of 15 years is doing the work, & I would hope that he knows what he is doing. The problem with pulling the cam is the "book" states it as a 12 hour job or something crazy like that. Replacing the camshaft could be an option, but if I did that I'd probably want to check the bore alignment.....no matter what, I start spending a lot of money on a truck that is probably not worth it.

66nova · May 1, 2009

The problem, is that there is so much metal shavings from the 1st time , that it is destroying the replacements. You may have to pull the cam and inspect.
*edit* Sure you're installing it correctly?

I'm with Draenor here. If it is being installed correctly, I would bet that the cam gear has something going on.

Have you made any performance modifications? Original intake, heads, etc?

Draenor · May 1, 2009

^ my mechanic of 15 years is doing the work, & I would hope that he knows what he is doing. The problem with pulling the cam is the "book" states it as a 12 hour job or something crazy like that. Replacing the camshaft could be an option, but if I did that I'd probably want to check the bore alignment.....no matter what, I start spending a lot of money on a truck that is probably not worth it.

Have you inspected the distributor shaft? Make sure it hansn't been bent or has any play in it. I know you said it looked fine, but I didnt know if that was cap and rotor wise or the entire unit. Have you tried putting in a new distributor?

Wrecker · May 1, 2009

Truck is all original, regular oil changes. I personally haven't looked at the distributor, I am strictly going by my mechanics word, whom as I said before I trust. I realize metal shavings aren't good for the engine, but as this gear slowly wears, shouldn't the oil filter pick up most of them? It looks like I'll have to tear it apart......reluctantly as I think its just opening a big can of worms.

Draenor · May 1, 2009

The only thing I can think of is the cam. Have your guy inspect the retainer plate. He'll have to pull the timing cover. If the bolts backed out, the cam is not seated right. The worse thing is the rear plug is worn, which again, requires to pull the cam.