Distributor fire

ky_ridgerunner · 02-07-2007, 10:36 PM

First off I have a '88 4x4 pickup with a 3.0 and 5 speed. I was wondering if anyone with a 3.0 has ever had thier distributor cap catch on fire? The reason I ask is I parked my truck today and noticed a few minutles later smoke was coming from under the hood and I found my cap on fire! I put it out and replaced it and the spark plug wires and rotor switch and now the truck seems to run fine but I am concerned because I have never seen this happen before. Any suggestiond on what could have happened and any way to fixx it would be greatly appreciated!

colsoncj · 02-08-2007, 07:57 PM

wow, i will say thats a new one for me... never heard of that.

ky_ridgerunner · 02-08-2007, 08:09 PM

No body has that is what is blowing my mind! I even went today and talked to a couple of mechanics and they told me that they had never heard of such a thing happening!

1994runner · 02-08-2007, 08:24 PM

Is it possible that fuel or chemicals were spilled on the cap and seep under it?

colsoncj · 02-08-2007, 08:25 PM

thats my guess...

TOYZILLA · 02-08-2007, 08:51 PM

Ok i think i know your answear. your cap was "stolen" off another 3.0 so that would make it a (HOT CAP) J.P I have never seen or heard of this happening before .like someone above said it must of got oil or poss fuel on it to make it flame up.

ky_ridgerunner · 02-08-2007, 10:00 PM

I don't know how any thing could have got in it, but it could have happened. Right now though the truck doesn't have any leaks and I ahven't sprayed anything under the hood but I really don't know but the chemical idea is the best any one has come up with and it is running like a champ now so I guess that is good enough for me.

Just Learning · 02-08-2007, 11:17 PM

if the wires were arcing across the cap got hot and burned??? but ya think ya would have had a poor running truck

CyMoN · 02-09-2007, 05:22 AM

any pics of the cap?

Keith B. · 02-09-2007, 11:11 AM

I've only heard of distributor fires when folks spray WD-40 in it "to get the water out" and then put it back together and immediately start the engine. Keep an eye on it!

ky_ridgerunner · 02-09-2007, 04:51 PM

THis is what the cap and wires look like now.
Keith B. I've only heard of distributor fires when folks spray WD-40 in it "to get the water out" and then put it back together and immediately start the engine. Keep an eye on it!

I wa told the same thing the only thing is that I had sprayed nothing in it and as a matter of fact had been driving it all morning until this happened.

Glina · 02-10-2007, 12:34 AM

My dist cap burnt yesterday. I was driving and the engine stopped. I couldn't start it again, and saw smoke coming from under the hood. I had new dist cap, new rotor and new wires.

Just Learning · 02-10-2007, 12:51 AM

could the caps be burning due to inferior materals, cheap cap?? my cap and rotor come from toy dealer, this just seems so weird something breaking down and being ignited im no guru but ive never heard of dist cap letting the smoke out

ChickenLover · 02-10-2007, 12:57 AM

Were these OEM caps?

ky_ridgerunner · 02-10-2007, 05:47 AM

ChickenLover Were these OEM caps ?

Yes as far as I know it was I just bought the truck so I can't be for sure

Glina · 02-10-2007, 10:50 AM

Mine was not original, but still from Japan.

bruizer · 02-10-2007, 11:36 AM

Carbon tracks on the inside top of dist. will /can arc....saw it on a Camaro I had....they were numerous..suprised the engine even started

crackerjack · 02-10-2007, 02:53 PM

I want to see pix of that vehicle on you're avatar....

Glina · 02-11-2007, 10:49 AM

I ment cap and rotor. I'll get some pics on monday.

Targetnut · 02-11-2007, 03:43 PM

I've seen caps rotors and wires get pretty burnt up from resistance related heat. I've never actually seen or heard of one flaming up though.

bcumbie · 04-25-2008, 06:43 PM

bringin this thread back but , yea my 89 had the same thing happen. I was just late getting there and lost a bunch of stuff due to fire damage. Mine had a cheap(new) cap,rotor, and wires on it with less the 150 miles on them!!!!

psycho2005 · 05-07-2008, 10:41 PM

I actually just posted about a simliar occurence. I have had the distributor caps and rotors melt to the point the truck won't run, only the first was genuine toyota, so I have seen generic and brand name melt. No clear reason as to the cause.

02-07-2007, 10:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
ky_ridgerunner Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Frances, Ky Posts: 7	Distributor fire First off I have a '88 4x4 pickup with a 3.0 and 5 speed. I was wondering if anyone with a 3.0 has ever had thier distributor cap catch on fire? The reason I ask is I parked my truck today and noticed a few minutles later smoke was coming from under the hood and I found my cap on fire! I put it out and replaced it and the spark plug wires and rotor switch and now the truck seems to run fine but I am concerned because I have never seen this happen before. Any suggestiond on what could have happened and any way to fixx it would be greatly appreciated!

02-08-2007, 07:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
colsoncj Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Monett, MO (Springfield) Posts: 2,481	wow, i will say thats a new one for me... never heard of that. __________________ Cory Eastern OK, Western/Northern AR, Southeastern KS, or Southern MO area: OZARKS 4ROC Click Here 04 Dodge 2500 Cummins - DD/Tow Rig 02 Z06 Corvette - Weekender 94 FZJ80 - Wheelin Rig. Currently on 33"s, plan to go 35"s. 72 Buick GS - i.e. the project that will never get done.

02-08-2007, 08:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
ky_ridgerunner Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Frances, Ky Posts: 7	No body has that is what is blowing my mind! I even went today and talked to a couple of mechanics and they told me that they had never heard of such a thing happening! __________________ 1988 Pickup 4x4- 3.0,5 speed, 32x10.50 Super swamper, 15x10 Eagle wheels, Torsion crank, Skyjacker shocks(front), rear blocks, Edelbrok IAS shocks(rear), 7500 lbs winch,custom front and rear bumper

02-08-2007, 08:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
colsoncj Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Monett, MO (Springfield) Posts: 2,481	thats my guess... __________________ Cory Eastern OK, Western/Northern AR, Southeastern KS, or Southern MO area: OZARKS 4ROC Click Here 04 Dodge 2500 Cummins - DD/Tow Rig 02 Z06 Corvette - Weekender 94 FZJ80 - Wheelin Rig. Currently on 33"s, plan to go 35"s. 72 Buick GS - i.e. the project that will never get done.

02-08-2007, 08:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
TOYZILLA Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: HICKVILLE WA Posts: 110	dist cap fire Ok i think i know your answear. your cap was "stolen" off another 3.0 so that would make it a (HOT CAP) J.P I have never seen or heard of this happening before .like someone above said it must of got oil or poss fuel on it to make it flame up. __________________ ))LIVIN HARD & DIRTY(( Yota 4x4 "Well ya could be starting off wrong by calling her a "bitch" See the TOYOTA gurl deserves respect.Call her by name or give her one.Once in awhile patt her on the d(ass)h.Be good to her & she'll be good to you." K-THANKS Last edited by TOYZILLA : 02-08-2007 at 09:01 PM.

02-08-2007, 08:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
1994runner Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Eastern Iowa Posts: 89	Is it possible that fuel or chemicals were spilled on the cap and seep under it?

02-08-2007, 10:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
ky_ridgerunner Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Frances, Ky Posts: 7	I don't know how any thing could have got in it, but it could have happened. Right now though the truck doesn't have any leaks and I ahven't sprayed anything under the hood but I really don't know but the chemical idea is the best any one has come up with and it is running like a champ now so I guess that is good enough for me. __________________ 1988 Pickup 4x4- 3.0,5 speed, 32x10.50 Super swamper, 15x10 Eagle wheels, Torsion crank, Skyjacker shocks(front), rear blocks, Edelbrok IAS shocks(rear), 7500 lbs winch,custom front and rear bumper

02-08-2007, 11:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
Just Learning Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hobbs New mexico Posts: 438	if the wires were arcing across the cap got hot and burned??? but ya think ya would have had a poor running truck

02-09-2007, 05:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
CyMoN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: INDIANA Posts: 2,041	any pics of the cap? __________________ my rigs 89 4runner 1989 4runner v6 5 speed everything factory +4susplift running bfg 31s and a aux gas tank and more aux lights than needed 86 pickup 1986 stock pickup 22r 31.10 BFG ATs flatbed a sad day for the 4runner "One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life."

02-09-2007, 11:11 AM	#10 (permalink)
Keith B. Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 72	I've only heard of distributor fires when folks spray WD-40 in it "to get the water out" and then put it back together and immediately start the engine. Keep an eye on it!

02-09-2007, 04:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
ky_ridgerunner Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Frances, Ky Posts: 7	THis is what the cap and wires look like now. Keith B. I've only heard of distributor fires when folks spray WD-40 in it "to get the water out" and then put it back together and immediately start the engine. Keep an eye on it! I wa told the same thing the only thing is that I had sprayed nothing in it and as a matter of fact had been driving it all morning until this happened. __________________ 1988 Pickup 4x4- 3.0,5 speed, 32x10.50 Super swamper, 15x10 Eagle wheels, Torsion crank, Skyjacker shocks(front), rear blocks, Edelbrok IAS shocks(rear), 7500 lbs winch,custom front and rear bumper

02-10-2007, 12:34 AM	#12 (permalink)
Glina Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Poland Posts: 59	My dist cap burnt yesterday. I was driving and the engine stopped. I couldn't start it again, and saw smoke coming from under the hood. I had new dist cap, new rotor and new wires.

02-10-2007, 12:51 AM	#13 (permalink)
Just Learning Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hobbs New mexico Posts: 438	could the caps be burning due to inferior materals, cheap cap?? my cap and rotor come from toy dealer, this just seems so weird something breaking down and being ignited im no guru but ive never heard of dist cap letting the smoke out

02-10-2007, 12:57 AM	#14 (permalink)
ChickenLover Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NV Posts: 2,587	Were these OEM caps? __________________ 95 4Runner, 3VZE , 141k, 4WD, Auto. (Head gaskets replaced at 106k)

02-10-2007, 05:47 AM	#15 (permalink)
ky_ridgerunner Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Frances, Ky Posts: 7	ChickenLover Were these OEM caps ? Yes as far as I know it was I just bought the truck so I can't be for sure __________________ 1988 Pickup 4x4- 3.0,5 speed, 32x10.50 Super swamper, 15x10 Eagle wheels, Torsion crank, Skyjacker shocks(front), rear blocks, Edelbrok IAS shocks(rear), 7500 lbs winch,custom front and rear bumper

02-11-2007, 03:43 PM	#20 (permalink)
Targetnut Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 526	I've seen caps rotors and wires get pretty burnt up from resistance related heat. I've never actually seen or heard of one flaming up though. __________________ Targetnut don't talk about it, just do it! Precision Import Service '93 2WD 22RE, Ported w/os valves, custom intake manifold, crane cam, 295cc injctrs, Supra AFM, Supra fuel pump, adj fuel pres reg, 70mm throttle, LCE header, V6 Taco cat, 14lb flywheel, Kevlar clutch, W58 and short shifter, 4.10 gears w/Truetrac, drop spindles and blocks, 245/50-16 Yokos on 16x8 wheels, 4WD fenders, bumper, and valence, skinned tailgate

02-10-2007, 10:50 AM	#16 (permalink)
Glina Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Poland Posts: 59	Mine was not original, but still from Japan.

02-10-2007, 11:36 AM	#17 (permalink)
bruizer Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatt. TN. Posts: 51	dist fire Carbon tracks on the inside top of dist. will /can arc....saw it on a Camaro I had....they were numerous..suprised the engine even started Last edited by bruizer : 02-11-2007 at 05:41 AM.

02-10-2007, 02:53 PM	#18 (permalink)
crackerjack Contributing Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: cookeville tn. Posts: 612	I want to see pix of that vehicle on you're avatar....

02-11-2007, 10:49 AM	#19 (permalink)
Glina Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Poland Posts: 59	I ment cap and rotor. I'll get some pics on monday.

04-25-2008, 06:43 PM	#21 (permalink)
bcumbie Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: EAST TEXAS Posts: 75	bringin this thread back but , yea my 89 had the same thing happen. I was just late getting there and lost a bunch of stuff due to fire damage. Mine had a cheap(new) cap,rotor, and wires on it with less the 150 miles on them!!!!

05-07-2008, 10:41 PM	#22 (permalink)
psycho2005 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2	I actually just posted about a simliar occurence. I have had the distributor caps and rotors melt to the point the truck won't run, only the first was genuine toyota, so I have seen generic and brand name melt. No clear reason as to the cause.