In this short guide, we’ll help you understand how to locate, remove and replace the distributor cap in your vehicle. If you have any doubt as to your skills or the complexity of the task, always seek the advice of a professional mechanic. 1. Locate the distributor cap The distributor cap is located under the car’s hood. Open the hood and look around for a plastic grey component near the centre of the engine. The distributor cap looks like a crown that has black cables connected to the spokes on its top. These thick black cables are spark plug wires which power your car’s engine. If in doubt, use the owner’s manual to help you locate the distributor cap. Note that if you find the distributor cap or the rotor worn out or cracked, replace it immediately. 2. Unhook the clips and screws on the cap You need to establish how the cap is connected to the vehicle. Regardless of the model of the car or whether you are new to cars, it should be easy to remove the cap. If the distributor cap is held in place using clips, pull them away to free the cap. If however it needs unscrewing, use a Philips head screwdriver and turn the screws anti-clockwise to remove them. Some distributor caps do not have the clips on the screws. If this is the case, push down the cap and rotate anticlockwise until it is removed. Note: Spark plug wires can be attached to the cap. Be very careful when you are removing the cap so as not to detach these wires from the cap. 3. Slide the rotor from the distributor housing To replace the rotor, you need to slide it off the distributor housing. The rotor is placed just underneath the distributor cap in your engine compartment. It looks like a fan blade. To remove it, you need to check if it is connected with screws. In most cars, the rotors are not screwed in place, and it will be easy to wiggle them out of the distributor housing. If the rotor has been screwed in place, they will be underneath the blade. Be careful when removing it to prevent it from falling into the engine. After replacing the rotor, you need to spin it to check if it is rotating freely. 4. Orient the spark plugs to the new cap Before you replace the distributor cap, set it down and compare it with a new cap. This will help you to orient the spark plugs onto the new cap. To avoid making mistakes, start with the first spark plug by removing it from the old cap and onto the corresponding spoke on the new cap. Repeat this process for all the remaining spark plugs. Work slowly to ensure that you don’t make a mistake and reattach the plugs to the proper spokes in the new spark plug. Remember that if you connect the spark plugs to the wrong spark, you can end up with serious electrical wiring damage in your car. 5. Replace the cap Return the cap to the engine compartment ensuring that it is in the same position as the old cap before you replaced it. Ensure that the spark plug cords are neatly packed into the compartment. Coil or bunched up cords may cause an electrical fault. Once you are sure that everything is in order; secure the cap using the screws or the clips as it had been secured before. 6. Test the car to ensure it is running smoothly If you turn on the ignition key and get either backfires or misfires, this is an indication that either your car or the latter are not positioned correctly. Switch off the car and ensure that they have been positioned the right way. How to Install a New Fuel Filter Credit: Phasmatisnox Credit: Ethel Red The Petrol Head 1. Find the fuel filter near the fuel tank There are two types of fuel filters. They can be placed in two different positions. One type of filter is located below the car next to the fuel tank. In other vehicles, the fuel filter is located in the engine compartment. To see it you will need to open the hood. A fuel filter is a round canister that features two spokes that stick out from its sides. Your car’s fuel line hoses usually connect to the spokes. Fuel filter canisters are generally orange, grey or black. Check the owner’s manual to pinpoint the location of your fuel filter. If your car stalls or it becomes slow, replace your fuel filter as this might be an indication that it is dirty. 2. Remove the fuel pump fuse Locate the fuel pump fuse in the fuse box just below the hood of the engine. The fuse box is usually rectangular and is normally clearly labelled. Open the top of the fuse box and inspect the diagram that is printed on it. You can remove the fuse using the pliers. Remember that your car needs to be switched off before you remove the fuse as they conduct electricity. 3. Start the Engine To relieve the pressure from the fuel line, put your car in park mode. You then need to loosen the gas cap and start the car. Allow it to run for a few minutes to get the air out of the fuel line. After this, switch off the car and replace the fuse. 4. Use the jack if the filter is underneath Sometimes you will find that the filter is underneath the car. You will, therefore, check the owner’s manual to find the jack points which are normally behind the wheels. Pump the jack to raise the car and slide it beneath the car for additional safety. Never lift the car using the crank if it’s not on an even, flat surface. To reduce the risk of accidents, place a stand next to the jack so that in case the jack fails, your car can find a place to rest. 5. Catch the leaking fluid using a container All fuel remaining in the fuel line will start to leave the moment you detach the filter. Place a container underneath to collect the fuel. To protect your hands from the gasoline, make sure you wear gloves. Never mix the fuel with other car fluids such as oil. You can always take the fuel container to a recycling shop as many mechanic shops accept the recycled fuel. 6. Remove the fuel line bolts from the fuel filter Bolts hold the fuel line securely onto the filter. If your filter comes with these bolts, you will find them where the fuel line connects to the filter box. Rotate the bolts anti-clockwise to remove them. Gently pull the lines until they detach from the filter. In some car makes and models, you will find clips instead of bolts. You can undo them using your fingers. If you find it difficult to remove the fuel lines, try to unstick them using a wrench. 7. Fit the new filter to the fuel lines Remove the old filter and then slide the new one into the fuel lines. Ensure you position the new filter precisely the way the old one was fitted. You then need to replace the clips all the bolts that were holding the filter spokes in place. 8. Start the engine and check if there are leaks Return the fuel fuse to the fuse box, and then lower the car down from the jack. Start the car and let it run for a few minutes checking underneath it to see if there is any leaking fuel. Check the filter and the fuel lines to ensure that they are correctly positioned and connected. 9. Try Smart Technology Use smart technology such as GOFAR to find your car engine’s sweet spot. Reduce wear and tear on the engine’s components.