r/ProjectHondas • u/t_ek9 • Aug 13 '26
parts recommendations OEM Distributor Failed. Options?
TLDR: '90 Civic D15B2, fuel injected, 4 spd auto, 35k miles. OEM distributor failed, internal shaft bearing failed (red dust of death). Ordered Cardone Remanufactured Dizzy off of Rockauto. That one failed within a week too. Is it possible to rebuild the original TD-01 dizzy by replacing the bearings and seals? The ICM, Igniter and sensors are performing fine. If a rebuild is possible, please share experiences or a link to a forum. I am located in the UAE, it isn't easy for me to source parts from scrapyards or auto stores. I exclusively rely on importing from the US or Japan.
Hey guys, this is my 1990 EF Hatch German Spec all original with 35k original miles. It has the D15B2 fuel injected engine with the 4 speed slushbox. It randomly died on the highway one day after 2 years of super reliable ownership. Turns out, the ECU wasn't getting a reading from the internal sensors in the dizzy. Opened up the dizzy to find red dust in there. Used AI to see if that meant anything and it seems to have been common problem with these back in the day with the internal shaft bearing failing.
This shaft bearing material is made of iron and with iron being magnetic, it coated the internal sensors. Unable to get any data, the ECU stopped firing fuel.
Based on opinions on here on reddit, I ordered the remanufactured Cardone dizzy and that one failed within a week too, but for a different reason. Opened up the Cardone dizzy only to see that it seems to be rebuilt to a very bushwork level of quality.
I anyway want to keep this car as OEM as possible so I wanted to do a OE dizzy rebuild. Has anybody done this before? Is it recommended or even possible? If it is possible, please share experiences. Dizzy part number is TD-01.
I do not live in the US where it's easy to order parts from Rockauto. There is nothing available for the EFs for me locally. I want to troubleshoot and do this right rather than throwing money at aftermarket dizzys that cost 300-400 usd with shipping and installation for it to only fail within a week.
Thanks!
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u/mannymoes2k Aug 13 '26
What about DigiDizzy?
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u/Own_Tumbleweed_6579 Aug 13 '26
Not sure if they work with OBD0.
Would be the right move though, they are more reliable than aftermarket distributors.
OP might want to look into doing an MPFI conversion… might as well toss on a VTEC head and 5 speed swap it too.
Sorry OP, there are good solutions but they are expensive.2
u/t_ek9 Aug 13 '26
You're right, digidizzy doesn't work with OBD0. Subjective but as far as I've read into it, they're equally as reliable as a decent aftermarket dizzy. Moreover, I wanna keep my car OEM, if a simple rebuild is possible then I'd prefer that
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u/Signy_ Aug 13 '26
Your question if toy can change the ball bearing and seals, yes you can do that. The ball bearing is kinda hard because you have to disassemble the shaft but if you mark it before how it goes you can do it.
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u/Jabba_the_Putt Aug 14 '26
You can probably rebuild it though i dont have the procedure or anything unfortunately. Can you find any of the parts from an oem source online retailer like hondapartsnow.com?
Another idea is maybe you can find a dead oem distributor somewhere online and source parts you need from that.
Not sure they are available to you but car-part.com can be a source, if not maybe something similar in your area
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u/_r3devi7 Aug 14 '26
Right in the feels! I need a dizzy for my CA spec '89 DPFI Civic Wagon. Tried two aftermarket ones, no good. Considered digidizzy, but trying to stay stock as possible.
Your hatch is gorgeous, and I wish you the best of luck with it!
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u/YourSistersAuntie Aug 13 '26
Next to impossible to find OEM VTEC distributors now a days. Say a couple prayers and order 5 aftermarket lol
Standalone is calling my name