1998-2002 Honda Accord Distributor Cap Replacement

Use this guide to replace your 4-cylinder Honda...

iFixit Library 1998-2002 Honda Accord Moderate No estimate Guide 3635

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Guide overview

Before you begin

Use this guide to replace your 4-cylinder Honda Accord's distributor cap. This specific guide was created for a non-VTEC F23A5 engine, but other 4-cylinder Honda engines will be similar enough to follow the same basic steps

Step 1

Repair step

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Before disconnecting the spark plug wires, be sure to trace their orientation from the individual cylinders back to the distributor cap.
The cylinders are ordered from left to right when viewing the engine from the front of the car, with cylinder #1 being closest to the passenger side of the vehicle.
Mark the order of the spark plug wires on the new distributor cap with a silver sharpie marker -- it will make reinstallation much easier.

Step 2

Repair step

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Disconnect the four spark plug wires from the distributor cap by pulling their connectors straight away from the sockets on the distributor cap.
It may be helpful to slightly twist the wires as you pull them.

Step 3

Repair step

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Use a 1/4" drive, 8 mm deep socket to remove the three hex bolts securing the distributor cap to the engine.
The position of the third bolt is not visible in the second picture.

Step 4

Repair step

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Pull the distributor cap away from the engine and set it aside.

Step 5

Repair step

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Use a dental pick or a small screwdriver to gently remove the D-shaped o-ring around the distributor cap flange.
Install a new o-ring in the seal recess, making sure that it is sitting flush against the flange.