Installing 1998-2002 Honda Accord Distributor Rotor

Replace the distributor rotor on 98-00 Honda Accords with an F23A5 engine.

Use this guide to replace your Honda Accord's distributor rotor. 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. You may have to remove the engine cover in later Accord models.

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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Distributor Cap  ¶ 

  • 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.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • 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.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • 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.

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

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

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • 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.

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Add Note Edit Step 6 — Distributor Rotor  ¶ 

  • Remove the single #2 Phillips screw securing the distributor rotor to the shaft.

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Pull the distributor rotor straight off its shaft, being careful not to rotate the shaft as you remove it.

  • When installing the new distributor rotor, press it onto the shaft with the screw holes aligned axially.

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