'92-'93 Distributor Problems

From: Norman Ling (nling@isis.acsu.buffalo.edu) 05/07/97
I am writing as to give an update on dealer policies in reference to the 91-93 Integra distributor recall in my area. My 92 GS-R (DC Sport cat-back ss exhaust, and K&N filter) at 65,000 miles had the described problems with the distributor, as posted on your web page. The typical squealing sound the engine makes upon start up and then finally loss of power at RPMs under 2500. The engine light appears more frequently and stays on for longer lengths of time as the problem persists.

The dealer replaces the distributor at no charge, but puts you last on his list of paying clients. My experience afterwards was the dealer told me the timing belt skipped a few teeth. They deny the belt problem was caused by the distributor. After discussing the matter for a few moments (I told them I would not fix the timing belt and told them I would drive away) they agreed to pay for half of the timing belt replacement. The dealer's equation for timing belt reimbursement is as follows: dealer pays % of replacement, on the expected use of old timing belt.

From: Allen Johnston 02/28/96
There is no "secret warranty repair item" concerning the '92-'93 Integra distributor recall. Acura's Service Bulletin #96-022 clearly states its intentions concerning replacement. In the bulletin, Acura shows a US map denoting certain warm-weather states, southeast to southwest, where an owner may experience premature distributor (bearing) failure. They will replace the distributor in those specific states free of charge. All Acura owners are covered by an extended six (6) year, 100,000 mile warranty on the distributor regardless of where they live. Acura sent a letter to all dealer registered owners stating their intentions as per above. How do I know this? My Acura dealer showed me the service bulletin.

From: CRAEsq@worldnet.att.net 02/28/96
I just purchased a 1992 Integra GS Coupe. Was due for a timing belt, so I had it replaced. I then saw all the postings on your website concerning the faulty distributors. I called Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238 and got the following:

There is an official recall of certain batches of 1991-92 Integras. The others only have a secret warranty of 6 years or 100,000 miles and it covers only the distributor bearings.

You can call Acura at the above number, give them your Vin# and they will tell you which batch you car is under. If you did have a distributor problem and had it fixed, then you can fax them the receipt for the repair and for any other related repair (e.g. timing belt), so long as you give evidence that the distributor caused the other problems.

From: Anonymous
The distributor went out on my '92 Integra LS at 58,000 miles. The symptoms I encountered were, in order, the distributor made the aforementioned "squealing sound," especially noticeable during a cold start, but not as noticeable after the engine warmed up, the engine lost power at lower RPM (under 2500), and then the check engine light came on. This progression occurred over a very short period of time.

I took the car into my favorite Honda dealer for the 60k maintenance and for them to diagnose the problem -the distributor. Honda then towed my car to the local Acura dealership (warranty/recall work has to be done at an Acura dealership) where the distributor was replaced at no charge. The timing belt had a few teeth stripped because of the failure and Acura replaced it at no charge, also. They didn't do the water pump because there is no relationship to the distributor problem, but it did save me the $400 that it would have cost to replace the timing belt.

The moral here is, learn from my mistake and have your distributor replaced immediately before it causes more expensive damage which your Acura dealer may or may not be willing to pay for.

From: K.Coleman (coleman@jax-inter.net)
They're recalling the distributors in all '92 and '93 Integras due to a high failure rate. Dealers will install a new improved version free of charge and will cover any previous repairs (if you have the receipts).

From: Eric Johnson (eric.johnson@adn.alcatel.com)
The distributor on my '92 Integra failed at 80,000 miles. I began to hear a squealing noise coming from the distributor, and thought it would be the rotor or cap. A few days later the car died while on the highway. It turned out that the bearing inside the distributor housing seized up, which snapped the rotor and caused the timing belt to skip one notch. So I had to get the whole distributor replaced and the timing reset.

I called Acura and they said there were other problems reported with these parts. I sent in my repair invoices and VIN number and two weeks later received a check for $785, which covered the distributor but not the $180 I had to pay to get the timing fixed. They said that was due to the mechanic's error, which it wasn't, but I was glad to get anything back. Acura was prompt in handling the problem but they didn't seem very enthusiastic on the phone.

[It is my understanding that this is not an official recall but is a secret warranty repair item. Ed.]