Points Condenser Replacement Intervals


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Points Condenser Replacement Intervals

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Auto Repair Home>> Automotive Repair>> Engine Troubleshooting

Tham
User

Aug 26, 2005, 11:54 PM

Post #1 of 4 (3327 views)

Points Condenser Replacement Intervals	Sign In

Hi,

In an old car which still uses the distributor's contact
points and condenser, may I ask how often one should
change this condenser ?

And might it be alright to use a condenser of lower
value as specified, say 0.22 microfarad instead of
0.25 microfarad ? Might the points tend to burn off
sooner ?

Thank you.

(This post was edited by Tham on Aug 27, 2005, 8:06 AM)

DanD
Veteran / Moderator
DanD profile image

Aug 27, 2005, 7:27 AM

Post #2 of 4 (3320 views)

Re: Points Condenser Replacement Intervals	Sign In

If you were driving year round I would say twice a year regardless of mileage. There are to may factors that could affect a set of points that it’s not worth taking a chance of a breakdown due to a 10 dollar part.
You will get away with the lower value of a condenser but you’re right that the points will burn out sooner.
How much sooner I don’t know or whether it would even be a measurable amount but the higher the better.
Dan.

Canadian "EH"

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 27, 2005, 9:47 AM

Post #3 of 4 (3315 views)

Re: Points Condenser Replacement Intervals	Sign In

I both agree and disagree with DanD. I kept good points and condensers for 10 years! Oh yes check on them. A condenser has no known life expectancy but if it fails you are walking! A real good one will NOT allow much or any transfer of junk from one side of your points to the other - keep one that does that! Take a Q tip and put a very small amount of grease (silicone grease and not much) on the nylon bumper that rides the cam in distributor on the advance side. You can tell which way it rotates by looking at the vacuum advance and put the smear on the front side of the points at the inside direction of rotation which is ..... if you look at the advance and think like you are going into it that way - that the way it turns.

Also, check new points that they touch evenly and adjust if needed. They used to make a tool for this and was called "point alignment". With some care they can last for years with perhaps an occaisional check by meter as to how well they are doing.

Also, use a dwell meter to get it exact. FYI - the smaller the gap the higher the dwell and vice versa. Rev the engine - if dwell changes more that 5 the bearings in the distributer are probably bad!

I don't mean to be an old fuss but there was no electronic ignition when I got started. ----And yes, folks wanted new ones Spring and Fall.

This is an area where techs may disagree. I DO agree with taking care of your car!
______________________________________________

PS: There was life and tranportation before electonic ignition and fuel injection!

Tham
User

Aug 30, 2005, 6:58 AM

Post #4 of 4 (3305 views)

Re: Points Condenser Replacement Intervals	Sign In

Thanks, Dan and Tom.

I'll keep both your advice in mind.

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