Lude Generation

Morning all, just wanted to ask if there's an opinion on the normal life expectancy of a distributor? I realise it's a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string', type question but I've been having a few little niggles, engine wise, of late. I did a bit of a look-see on Google and some of my symptoms seem to zero-in on the distributor.
Here's my niggle list:
1: Hesitant starting
2: Sudden drop off in revs at traffic lights.
3: Weird feeling of no power when accelerating which then picks up.
We've just changed the plugs so I'm guessing it can't be them, and the round rubber seals are A-okay.
What do you chaps think? A distributor issue or am I barking up the wrong tree?
If it is the distributor, does it mean an entirely new one, or can it be revived with a bit of spanneridge and some mechanical voodoo?
Final point, the one on my car is now about four and half years old.
Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks, Si.

distributors are an extremely common cause of many issues in a lude, and fail quite often. sometimes replacing the dizzy arm and the cap can help or fix issues with them, but sometimes the whole unit needs replacing.

a brand new one should last you many years at least, whereas 2nd hand ones - well, thats the "how long is a piece of string" theory.

Dizzies are something that have cropped up on my ludes over the years. These can be refurbed as there are 2 components that seem to be the issue and can be obtained for replacement.

Ill see if I can find the video I watched on this, fairly easy task even for me haha

thats a good how to video
some of the old prelude dizzys can be a bit tricky to fix as the screws inside it can really rust in there pretty good.

simonc also get your mechanic to check the bolt on connection at the front of the alternator as this tab can get damaged/sheared and give similar symptoms to what you mention at least thats my personal experience - ive never really heard anyone else mention this.....

COP FTW

Many, many thanks for all that constructive feedback. I really do appreciate it.
I'll pass this on to Jason and take her down as soon as I can for a look-see.
I'll keep you posted on the outcome Thanks again, Si.

NafemanNathan wrote:COP FTW

Lost me on that one

vanzep wrote:thats a good how to video
some of the old prelude dizzys can be a bit tricky to fix as the screws inside it can really rust in there pretty good.

Eric the car guy is awesome, loved watching his videos however has hung up his towel for the foreseeable. Uncle recommended me watch a few of his videos and he is a Honda guy also.

Simonc, keep us posted

COP = Coil On Plug - think this replaces the need for external distributor

vanzep wrote:COP = Coil On Plug - think this replaces the need for external distributor

Cheers for clearing that Nick, appreciated.

vanzep wrote:COP = Coil On Plug - think this replaces the need for external distributor

I thought it just replaces the coil pack in the distributor. What tells the COPs to send the high voltage to the plug?