First off, yes, I searched.

Been having an intermittent starting problem. First time it happened, I just checked the plug wires on the dist. and relieved the spark plug ports of the accumulated oil. Started right up after that. Tonight, I went to leave and she cranks, but no start. Have my GF try to start it and I notice some sparks arcing off the front of dist. cap and in one spot in the rear to the cyl. head. No obvious cracks on the cap except for at the very top of the bolt hole. Wasnt even arcing in that spot though.

My question is...

Can I get away with just purchasing a new cap? Is there usually a deeper problem when this occurs?

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. I have limited experience with working on Hondas, but far from a noob when it comes to wrenching.

In case you missed it in the title, 1990 Accord. 250k on the clock. Best damn daily driver Ive ever owned, and Ive owned newer vehicles with less miles.

Thanks in advance.

 

New distributor cap. Probably wouldn't hurt to get a new rotor too.

Check for arcing at night, to see whether you need new plug wires too. It's easier to see in total darkness and easier yet when the engine is completely cold.

New valve cover gasket set should help with oil in the spark plug tubes. Often that oil gets burned into the surface of the ceramic body of the spark plug - so you probably want new spark plugs too.

 

Cap, rotor, and wires took care of it. Just wanted to stop back in and say thanks.

 

Thanks for letting us know the fix. It's frustrating when you try to help and then the original poster just disappears & we never know...

Let us know about the oil in the spark plug tubes. If the valvecover gasket doesn't do it, there's another set of seals farther down, but you have to dismantle the valve gear & camshaft bearing caps. I usually tell people to leave that stuff alone & see if the upper seals fixes the leak.