Chevrolet Express 3500 Distributor Replacement at your home or office.

Our mobile mechanics offer services 7 days a week. Upfront and transparent pricing.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(139)

Included for free with this service

Online Booking

Mechanic comes to you

12-month / 12k-mile warranty

Free 50 point safety inspection

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Customer Ratings

(139)

Distributor Replacement Service

How much does a Distributor Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Chevrolet Express 3500 Distributor Replacement is $363 with $223 for parts and $140 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2001 Chevrolet Express 3500V8-5.7LService typeDistributor ReplacementEstimate$600.46Shop/Dealer Price$715.43 - $1052.22
1997 Chevrolet Express 3500V8-5.7LService typeDistributor ReplacementEstimate$606.05Shop/Dealer Price$719.43 - $1055.04
2002 Chevrolet Express 3500V8-5.7LService typeDistributor ReplacementEstimate$606.05Shop/Dealer Price$719.46 - $1055.09
Show example Chevrolet Express 3500 Distributor Replacement prices

What is a distributor and how does it work?

The distributor is an electro-mechanical component installed in a car’s ignition system to provide, time, and “distribute” the spark that occurs at each spark plug in an engine’s combustion cylinders. The distributor contains a rotating shaft with a gear at the bottom that engages a gear on the engine’s camshaft. Atop the shaft is a plastic rotor that has electrical contacts molded in. As the plastic rotor turns, it completes a high voltage circuit to each electrical contact, one per engine cylinder, that is molded into a plastic distributor cap. That high voltage then flows along the spark plug wire to the spark plug, creating the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in an engine cylinder.

Distributors vary in design: some may have the ignition coil built in, some have vacuum advance mechanisms attached for engine timing, and really old distributors may even have mechanical points. Vintage cars, that is cars older than 25 years, will more commonly be equipped with a distributor. Most modern car designs have replaced the distributor with fully electronic systems controlled by engine sensors for more precise, and more powerful, ignition system operation.

When to consider replacing the distributor:

  • Worn or damaged integral parts. Worn shaft bushings can result in wobbling or eccentric rotation of the rotor, resulting in misfires, loss of power, rough idle and poor mileage. If the shear pin breaks that secures the distributor shaft drive gear, complete loss of ignition spark distribution is the result. A failed ignition module that is mounted to the distributor housing may also be more cost-performance efficient to replace the entire distributor.
  • Visible oil leaks. Distributors are attached to the engine and consequently, there are seals, both internal and external, that keep oil from leaking at the point of attachment. External O-rings are serviceable but if an internal oil leak occurs, due to a worn shaft, for example, it might necessitate rebuilding or replacing the distributor.

How do mechanics replace the distributor?

Distributors are bolted to the engine block or the cylinder head. The replacement procedure is as follows:

  • Once all diagnostic tests are complete and the distributor is confirmed to be faulty, disconnect the battery negative cable.
  • Set engine at top dead center on the compression stroke for cylinder no. 1. Mark location of distributor housing and shaft relative to the engine mounting surface.
  • Remove primary and secondary ignition system wiring connected to the distributor. Unbolt and remove the distributor. Temporarily cover the hole in the head or block so no foreign matter drops into the engine.
  • Install new distributor and new cap and rotor, with the rotor pointing to the cylinder no. 1 firing-order electrode of the distributor cap. Reconnect all wiring and reconnect battery negative cable.
  • Start engine and set basic engine ignition timing per original equipment manager specification. Then check timing advance for proper function. Road test vehicle.

Is it safe to drive with a distributor problem?

Yes. A faulty distributor will cause increased fuel consumption, increased emissions and poor engine operation but does not generally create a safety hazard.

When replacing a distributor keep in mind:

  • Many ignition system failures will mimic a distributor failure, including faulty spark plugs, faulty wiring, and a worn cap and rotor. Mechanics will always test the distributor directly to ensure it is not needlessly replaced.
  • If a distributor is removed for testing and then re-installed, be sure that new o-rings are installed. Re-using old o-rings often results in oil leaks.
  • If the distributor is replaced, and the spark plugs and spark plug wires have considerable mileage on them, the best results will be obtained by replacing those components at the same time the new distributor is installed.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Chevrolet mechanics

Real customer reviews from Chevrolet owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(139)

Rating Summary
128
4
1
3
3
128
4
1
3
3

Kevin

25 years of experience
651 reviews
Kevin
25 years of experience
Chevrolet Express 3500 V8-6.0L - Battery - Alpharetta, Georgia
Knows his cars!

Robert

32 years of experience
646 reviews
Robert
32 years of experience
Chevrolet Express 3500 V8-5.7L - Car is not starting - San Jose, California
Robert was very professional and was able to get my van running in a short amount of time.

Joseph

21 years of experience
718 reviews
Joseph
21 years of experience
Chevrolet Express 3500 V8-6.0L - Emergency / Parking Brake Cable Replacement (Driver Side, Passenger Side) - West Jordan, Utah
He was prompt and did a great job.

Salim

31 years of experience
168 reviews
Salim
31 years of experience
Chevrolet Express 3500 V8-6.0L - Oil Change - Hayward, California
Good work

Excellent Rating

(139)

Rating Summary
128
4
1
3
3
128
4
1
3
3
Number of Chevrolet Express 3500 services completed
1529+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Chevrolet MECHANICS
1700+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
The The 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is a mid-size luxury SUV that combines utility and comfort to make the perfect every day vehicle. It can handle almost any terrain with its all-wheel drive model. Drivers and passengers will experience a quiet...
10 Best Work Boots for Auto Mechanics
Automotive technician jobs require footwear that provide safety, durability, and comfort. Work boots that are fit for mechanics start around $84.
How to Source Parts For a Classic Mercedes-Benz
Classic Classic Mercedes-Benz cars are just as elegant and gorgeous as current model year Mercedes vehicles in many cases. There is a devout following dedicated to classic (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-buy-restore-and-sell-a-vintage-car-by-jason-unrau) Mercedes vehicles who are passionate about the technology, styling, and responsive handling...

One rear wheel warmer than the other, making scraping squeaking noise, started to vibrate when going faster

Hey there. It sounds like the hub may not have been pressed all the way into the bearing on installation. It's an easy mistake to make. Pressing in the hub takes a tremendous amount of force so it's sometimes hard...

Car revs when turning the key

Hello - yes, you probably need a new throttle position sensor. The symptoms you describe are classic throttle position sensor failure symptoms. I would recommend having a Throttle Position Sensor Replacement Service (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/throttle-position-sensor-replacement) completed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such...

Radiator smoking

There are a number of reasons why your car may be overheating. number one is a possible coolant leak. If a hose or a radiator or other part of the cooling system is leaking, and the coolant is not replenished,...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com