Catastrophic failure of my distributor on my 2003 Nissan Frontier 3.3L

[@Flinchum]

Had the bearing issue in my 2002 3.3 Frontier. Replaced everything in the ignition system and was still getting misfire and then I found the bearing in the distributor was coming apart and had red dust everywhere. Took a lot of research, but the size of the bearing is 10x26x8mm. Napa sells them under the part# 6000-2rs. Took the distributor out, replaced the bearing and she ran good as new again. I just advise anyone who does this to make sure you don't 180 that distributor.

[@Icanfixit-2]

Good to know. It’s easy to put it in backwards and good information for the bearings too! Thanks!

[@Avoidintime1000]

Thanks for the post! Dealing with crank no start issues in my 2004 3.3L Frontier and have Camshaft Pos sensor code. Did you have good fuel pressure before changing the distributor?

[@Icanfixit-2]

Yes. I’m sure i did the same process of elimination as you used. I was doing the parts cannon initially because it seemed like it was fuel related. Almost changed fuel pump, but I only changed fuel filter ;checked timing belt and checked timing with old school timing light. But what made me check the distributor itself was when I noticed that the rpm would drastically change. It would go from 750 rpm to 1100 and drop down to 200 but the engine tune never changed. So I revved it up to 1200 and it would just bounce all over the place. (Rpm) worked on the distributor rotation. Pulled distributor cap and rotor button and noticed that something had been grinding inside and it was the bearings.

[@Icanfixit-2]

Forgot to mention that look at the rpm gauge for movement while trying to start.

[@Avoidintime1000]

Thanks for the reply, did your RPM gauge move when you were cranking it with the bad distributor? My RPMs stay at 0 while cranking but i need to read the live RPM data still@@Icanfixit-2

[@Icanfixit-2]

If it stays at 0, the signal isn’t being sent to the tach (rpm). Mine was intermittent because of the particles being in the distributor. So if the distributor doesn’t send a signal, it’s probably a bad distributor.

[@Avoidintime1000]

Ok thanks, my dashboard tach stays at 0 but I am getting live RPM readings while cranking using data stream reader. I'm going to pull the cap of distributor and take a look in there today@@Icanfixit-2

[@whyisthisnottyping]

My car died while driving. B4 it died i heard a grinding noise from the distributor, i opened it noticed that red stuff all over but i also saw the cap and rotor were in bad conditions. I put it back together drove it home and it died. Swapped the rotor and cap but i have no start. And cranks and i have spark going down the wire but no start. Fuel is there, pump primes and comes on.

[@Icanfixit-2]

Check your timing. You’re on the right path.

[@whyisthisnottyping]

@ocarlisle I don't have the light gun to check it. I was planning on checking if the timing belt broke if not then I'll just have to take it to a mechanic, i was really hoping I could fix it bc I'm low on cash and only have basic tools

[@Icanfixit-2]

You can set everything to TDC. Set all your cam markings and #1 to TDC and adjust the distributor accordingly to #1

[@GaryBramlett-we8le]

My disk has a spot will that cause not to start

[@Icanfixit-2]

That is very possible.

[@Icanfixit-2]

It also can warp and not make contact or rub the optical reader

[@CheckEngineWife]

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