Hey guys,

Quick question, I just ordered a new distributor cap and rotor to try and solve my damp starting problem for my 1990 Panda 4x4...is there supposed to be some kind of gasket or o-ring between the distributor and cap?

Seems like the gap is very big and moisture would easily drown out the spark in there?
And if not does anyone have any DIY solutions they may have used themselves?
Thanks!

There is no seal between cap and distributor.

Have you diagnosed where the spark is tracking to earth? Damp can cause it to track inside the cap or across the rotor, but can also track along the outside of plug leads. The leads are a more common failure point.

Is the inside of the cap getting damp? Just a little, or very damp? Or just guessing? It is unusual for the cap to get much damp inside. If excessive we have to ask why? Is the vehicle stored inside a damp garage, which can make the problem worse.

To diagnose where a spark is getting lost, you need a dark damp evening. With the bonnet up, get someone to try to start the car and you may be able to see where the spark is tracking to earth.

Meanwhile, clean the outside of the leads, wipe them over afterwards with a bit of WD40, so only a light coating left on. Do the same with the inside of the cap. Make sure spark plugs and contact points are clean and properly adjusted. The damp may only be the last straw, so not actually the cause.

There is definitely some damp in there on wet mornings, today for example it was so damp that the whole car was covered in droplets, and inside the engine bay had the same condensation, it's due to the crazy weather we get here in the alps, hot days, lots of moisture in the air, then cold nights.

Parking inside the garage solves the problem, but I only have the use of the garage for Summer. I should get my new cap and rotor next week, i'll see if that helps the situtation, the car has a new distributor, HT leads and plugs.