i want to get people's opinions what my problem could be?, to narrow it down as much as possible, before assuming and just buying parts . . . my car is a 90 honda crx si with 255,000 miles with a ZC DOHC swap
i was on highway going 60mph, then started losing power, stalling out towards the shoulder, it was making sputtering sounds while doing it, then it would'nt start, just crank over and over while making sputtering and a few backfire sounds out the tailpipe, but would'nt start. i got it towed home.
i saw that the base of the distributor rotor looked melted around the shaft it goes onto, the rotor spins around normally if i cranked it over though, and the rotor still had the rotor screw in place, and it was'nt loose. the cap looked brand new from the inside of it, didnt have any red dust or residue or signs of anything.
heres a pic of the rotor :
it has spark, main relay clicks turning the key "on", fuel comes out of disconnected fuel filter hose when cranking it over, battery is 12.18volts , starter and alt are good, no fuses blown, timing belt is good, timing looks lined up same as before, it has gas, spark plugs looked like-new condition, no ECU codes either.
i tried putting a new cap and rotor got from autozone on, making sure the plug wires in right order, it still did'nt start?, did same thing, just cranked and cranked but not start?
most people think i need a new distributor, that the bearing probably failed and caused the rotor to melt, but i read that if a distributor fails, you hear a screeching noise coming from the distritubor and theres usually red dust or oily residue inside your distributor cap, and i did'nt have either of those on mine?
if my distributor did go out, it did it suddenly, after car was driving perfect, and i did'nt have any symptoms leading up to it?
after trying to narrow it down myself, and hearing opinions on forums, should i just assume and go ahead and buy a whole new distributor ?
or would it be better to have a mobile mechanic take a look at it, so he can tell me for sure if its the distributor or not ? so i know before buying parts
any thoughts or input is cool, thanks