Distributor Cap Keeps Carboning Up

[BENZ2VEG]

My Daughters 1991 Jetta keeps carboning the distributor cap. I'd clean it off for her, and after a few times I'd have to replace the cap.

I went with a Bosch cap & rotor, thinking this would solve the problem. It didn't help. The problem isn't lack of quality in the cap & rotor.

There is no slop in the distributor shaft. The rotor isn't gouging, or wearing out the distributor cap. The carbon can be scrapped off only so many times.

This occurs about once a week. what could cause this rapid rate of carbon build up on the rotor contacts???? Could it be timing? Coil?

[Doug Tatham]

Check your PCV valve. If oil vapors are building up enough inside your engine, they may be working their way out through the distributer and burning in the cap.

[BENZ2VEG]

Thanks. Turns Out There Isn't A Pcv. There Is A Sort Of Built-in Steel Mesh Type Deal In The Valve Cover. It's Right Were The "breather" Connects.

Anyway, I Cleaned All Of The Gunk Out. I Can Understand What You're Saying About This Being The Possible Cause.

I'll Reply With The Results.

[Doug Tatham]

The black thing that attaches on the top right side of the valve cover is the PCV. It looks like a small disk about 3 inches in diameter.