96 850 NA misfires, hard start, stalls

[eriscentro]

This morning (at a nice and warm 5 degrees) I pulled the distributor cap. Sure enough, it was pretty dusty and crud-filled inside. I cleaned it out as best I could with some isopropyl, and the car started on the first crank. I drove for about half and hour with no issues and no hard starts. I'll put a new cap and rotor on order and replace them ASAP. If they weren't the problem (and frankly, I kind of doubt it was), it would be at some point in the future.

[eriscentro]

As I'm looking at the image again...is it just me, or is the bottom right conductor reversed?

[erikv11]

I think the contacts are all on the correct orientation.

So the cap is old, but at least there is not a leaky cam seal.

[eriscentro]

The circled conductor is the one I was referring to.
When I had the airbox out, it didn't look like there was any oil leaking from the cam (whew!). I did notice that the flame trap housing was wet/stained, but fortunately the flame trap wasn't too clogged. I finally just decided to remove it permanently. It looks like when I replaced the PCV system a couple years ago I forgot to put on a gasket.

Edit: Gasket is actually on the fitting, but it just isn't a very tight connection.

[abscate]

That's a gnarly ugly distributor cap that needs cleaning scraping and de-carboning badly.

[erikv11]

The circled conductor is the one I was referring to.
When I had the airbox out, it didn't look like there was any oil leaking from the cam (whew!). I did notice that the flame trap housing was wet/stained, but fortunately the flame trap wasn't too clogged. I finally just decided to remove it permanently. It looks like when I replaced the PCV system a couple years ago I forgot to put on a gasket.

Edit: Gasket is actually on the fitting, but it just isn't a very tight connection.

I know it looks like it could be but compare to the others - the circled one is fine, they are all ok as far as orientation. Well, except for being worn out with heavy deposits.

It's time for a new Bosch cap and rotor and I'd probably get new Bougicord wires too. What is the date code on the wires? They may well be original.

[eriscentro]

Cap and rotor already purchased; I'll swap them out this weekend.
The wires are dated 11-04, which, if I remember correctly, means 4th week of 2011. I don't remember having them changed in the past, so I'll have to look through my records. Also, you're correct about the orientation of the conductor. As I'm looking at it now, it seems obvious. Not sure why I couldn't see it earlier!

[erikv11]

2011, that's not bad actually for Bougicord wires. I will let them go 6 years and 90k without worrying about them. Unless you have a gazillion miles on them, I might just keep them.

[sleddriver]

There is definitely something WRONG with that lower, right cap terminal...it's bass akwards! Odd that....can you turn that post by hand? Is it loose inside the cap housing? That configuration would cause all sorts of misfires, hard starts, stalls as you report.

Report back please how it runs with the new cap & rotor only for now.

[erikv11]

There is definitely something WRONG with that lower, right cap terminal...it's bass akwards! ...

Look more carefully, compare where the shiny part is on each contact. It's fine, they are all the same! None are ackwards.