Ford Focus Distributor rotor button and cap replacement
Get quotes for your Ford Focus from specialists near you
Australia's #1 booking site for car services & car repairs
Book now, pay later Interest-free payments
Transparent prices no surprises
*Available at select service providers. T&Cs apply.
Ford Focus Distributor rotor button and cap replacement
Ford Focus distributor rotor button and cap replacement
A distributor directs current from the coil to the spark plugs. This is done in the correct firing order to coincide with the timing required for optimal engine combustion. When this system isn’t working correctly the timing will be noticeably out on your Ford Focus. The engine will run rough, backfire and be hard to start, if it starts at all.
Distributor caps and rotors can wear over time or be subject to damage. They will need to be replaced periodically over the life of the Ford Focus. If the distributor rotor or cap are worn or damaged it can cause problems with engine performance and they should be replaced as soon as possible otherwise engine damage could occur.
When the rotor spins past the contact points in the distributor cap it creates a spark. The spark travels up to the leads and on to the spark plugs in your Ford Focus. This creates the spark plug ‘spark’ required to ignite the air/fuel mixture.
The distributor rotor and cap are made from plastic. If the cap breaks or becomes damaged this can allow water to get and/or cause the distributor to fail on your Ford Focus. Also, the rotor and cap contact points will wear over time. If the gap between these two points gets too large, electricity won’t be able to jump the gap and no spark will be created.
This will mean the spark plug won’t spark at the ideal time for optimal combustion. Heat will eventually ignite the air/fuel mixture but this is when the engine misfires and deposits and engine hot spots can occur.
Whenever your Ford Focus’s firing timing is out you are putting strain on the engine and potentially causing damage. The Ford Focus will not be working at its best and could be difficult to drive, if it starts at all. Best practice is to get the distributor rotor and cap replaced as soon as possible.