Distributor cap and Rotor for 5.0 L Volvo Penta

[Blue Cruiser]

At how many hours or years do you replace these parts? At 896 hours my port engine would not start because these parts were corroded. Therefore, I had my mechanic replace the distributor cap and rotor for both I/O engines. New spark plugs last season. Engines run like new. What is the life expectancy for the relays for the ECM, fuel pumps and starter?

 

[Sandy]

I check and usually replace the caps and rotors on my 2003 Crusader 5.7L MPI inboards at least once a NE season (~~200 hrs /season) . Maybe twice. On my old same size carbed motors with the excellent Delco Voyager EST Distributor kit upgrades , the caps and rotors would last in great shape for at least several years or longer. But I would still check them.

Plugs (Iridium) I change about every 2 -3 yrs. Since I am checking them to see what they can tell me about the recent combustion quality and they are so difficult to access, it makes sense to go ahead and replace with new, properly gapped plugs rather than reinstall the old ones.

Relays may last the life of the motor, but stuff happens. I haven't had tp replace any relays on the 2003 engines but did have to straighten a slightly bent relay harness connector pin which was causing occasional brief hesitation for 2 yrs until straightened .

If you aren't just kidding, I really hope you have not gone almost 900 hrs on your engines without doing all normal responsible preventative maintenance on them as the owner's manuals prescribe.

 

[jtybt15]

If you waited til the engine 'runs like new', you waited too long. There should be no difference before or after any routine maintenance. Lightly scrape the rotor and dist contacts to clean off any build-up and a distributor cap can last forever baring any cracks or spark leaks.(over 1300 hrs on present cap)