Club 80-90 Forums

ok. here's a slight but bloody annoying problem. I've always been told by my local mechanic that my van is a DG engine. 57KW.

Today I brought a new rotor arm from eurocar parts..and it doesn't look right, totatlly different to the old one. Checked its definitly for the DG. So could someone tell me how to find what engine I have? I did a search on here first, but no luck. Maybe someone put the wrong part in the bag but would like to definitly make sure it's not my end first.

It a 1989 1.9 Petrol.

The part code for the rotor arm I have is:
071.905.225A

This is the correct part no for both DG distributors - rotor arm with speed limiter - perhaps it had a non speed-limiter one before or the wrong one (perhjaps why you are replacing it)

Main thing is, does it seem to fit, and the engine run OK?

I haven't tried to fit it yet so I was a bit worried I damage it, won't get a replacement.

And part of the problem is the engine doesn't start, reason why I am replacing it.

the rev limiting one ( PAin in the a***) is bigger and rounder with the rev limiting bit on the top ( sliding springy contact) and the non rev limiting one ( loads better) is slimmer and with no sliding springy contact bit on the top, and looks like a "normal " rotor arm.....

i suspect you had one and now you have the other!

What year did you quote to Eurofarts?

Mocki thanks you explained it well, sounds to me like the prob. I quoted 1989.

So I take it will fit but would be better to get the other non-rev limiter.

What's wrong with the limiter? That's not sarcasm, it's a genuine question. I've always gone for a limiter, makes sense to me - esp. if someone with a heavy foot is gonna drive the van......

ok, actually there are two different limiter rotors, one limits the revs to 4500 rpm, the other to 56oo rpm, iirc.
IMO the 4500 rpm limited one is a RPiTA (Right Pain in The a***) because mostly thats just where you are wanting to be reving on big hills when to enable you to get into the next gear,and it restricts your top speed on the motorway, not good!
the other one, 5600rpm isnt so bad, as you prob dont want to be reving that high anyways, but every now and again, ( off road for instance:) ) you may need the top end of the revs......... not that i ever rev mine that high officer!

And the non limiting ones dont give as much trouble, there are moving mechanical parts on the limited ones, a centrefugal(sp) device that moves the live contact out to break the connection at the given amount of revs - these often stop contacting alltogether, stopping the engine, of not letting it start, as the case maybe....

the non limiting one lasts longer, and is cheaper, therefore better, imho....


serious answer!
see i can if i put my mind to it...

As Mocki says, simple is best when it comes to rotor arms. But if you've already got it and are worried, install it and turn motor over by hand two complete revs to check there isn't a problem with contacting dizzie cap. Then start it and if it runs.... it runs.

ETKA quotes that one as 5400 rpm and OK for both DG dizzies for that year.

Thank you......have always had the 5400, so that'll be why it's never bothered me - plus I drive like an angel on motorways.......

I've never even dared take my DG past the 4500rpm mark

I got a rev limiter that sits in my back pocket, its brown, made from leather and about 5" x 3" in size...