HELP white chalk powder inside distribution cap?

[Rochy101]

:( car running poorly 1.8i xei , i have opened up the dizzy cap and on the 4 metal points in side there is a white chalky powder on each one ?
could this be part of problem with lack of speed?
please help

[Llanigraham]

It means it is about time you changed your dizzi cap!

The white powder is the result of the little spark that occurs every time the rotor arm passes each post.

[TEMPL4R]

That's the older engine then. Check the centre carbon is OK and the arm isn't burning. As Graham says, time for a new cap, rotor arm, leads and plugs.

Chris

[Rochy101]

just service things then, thanks to you both
:o

[Richie_asg1]

Yes - new dizzy cap and rotor arm is the way to go. My Fiesta did this - watch out for cheap caps - I think they use alloy instead of brass - and most of your spark is inside the cap - not the plug!

I ended up retro-fitting an electronic kit - with large spring clips holding it onto the coil. Never had that problem again.

They still do it! -
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=3162

I bolted it inside a diecast box to Rf shield it and keep out water. I used the box itself as the heatsink for the power transistors - which were mounted externally.