C4ForGeeGee

I'm asking this question so that I can change my waterpump before it goes and takes the OPTISPARK with it :( My car is a 1994 LT1 Corvette with 48,600 miles on it. How much time do I have remaining on this waterpump? estimates are what I'm looking for :yesnod:

Voltech_LT4

yours is lasted longer than most.... check the other posts here...most are running around 20-35k miles so your lucky so far. Its usually a gradual process...you should notice your AC getting weak first or a fine mist at the bottom of your windshield... If that is happening do it now before it pukes on ya.
vr,
volt

btw...im changing mine today as we speak...hehe not fun let me know if you have any questions.

STL94LT1

Mine lasted 14,000 miles.

C4ForGeeGee

Thanks for the answers, I think I'll change mine for the hell of it :D

baddmann

I have noticed the AC not blowing very cold... Is this a tell-tale sign?

STL94LT1

I had no A/C problems before the waterpump went out. Your A/C may just need freon.

baddmann

Well I thought about that, but after a little while it starts blowing cold. It just seems to be a slow starter, and after reading earlier posts I thought I would ask...

5abivt

if you dont change your coolant or add additives, the seals will not have proper lubrication. Most people who dont change their coolant when their supposed to have waterpumps that fail. Mine has been on for 71k miles and still running strong. I change my colant every year and add the gm additive (which was required specifically for the waterpump). I also revv to 7100 rpm, so it seems the waterpump spins like superfast too. :D

5abivt

not to badmouth any of you, i have had friends whose pumps have gone fast too, i juist wanted to say its usually those who have negative feedback that speak of these sorts of things. :mad

cougarSVT

why is it that when the water pump fails the optispark dies?

LT4BUD

I should look it up to be sure, but the GM recommendations for the orange coolant is 100K miles or 5 years. How does lack of maintenance explain failures at 30k miles on LT4's which are only about 6 years old now?

427Hotrod

I guess I'm lucky, but I bought mine used with 25K on it and it appeared to be the original one.

I now have 122K on it and the optispark. I do lots of highway driving and racked up those miles in two years.

I've always been a believer that age gets most of this stuff faster than miles do. Meaning cars that don't get driven as much seem to deteriorate seals and things much faster.


Keeping my fingers crossed!


Jim


[Modified by 427Hotrod, 11:07 PM 8/17/2002]

GS Ragtop

:yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: I changed my coolant at 30,000 (and 3.5 years), but still lost the water pump at 37,000. From the responses on this thread and the other one, I'd say you're pretty lucky if you get 35,000 from an LT4 pump.

Ron92Blackrose

Mine lasted 32,000 miles with bi-annual coolant changes, including redline water wetter which I believe has cooling pump lubricants included. Luckily I discovered my tell tale cooling pump leak early on and my optispark was fine. :)
Seems like 30,000 miles or so is the norm. That is not a particularly good example of engineering for a modern engine. :sad:

konroh

I am converting mine to an electric at 41k after it took out my optispark :mad

92TripleBlack

Hmm. Mine's original with 77,777 on the OD. Guess I should get it done before its a problem.

emoshn

I changed my waterpump and optispark (plugs etc) at 102K...but everything was still working fine. Just changed them for preventative maintenance.

Voltech_LT4

I just changed my water pump (which leaked out the weaping hole), and I have no problems with the opti spark. She runs as mean as ever. I wouldnt replace it unless it goes....but you could buy the parts so if the opti does go youll be ready for it. Just make sure you buy the two water pump gaskets and some Red RTV and some anti seeze for the water pump bolts. I would just have them put aside in the garage... Does anyone know the symptoms of a bad Opti SPark? What does the car do? It must really have to get wet, (or the 96 venting worked) because my water pump was leaking all over and mine is fine. (but I did wait several days before changing the pump).
vr,
volt :cheers:

CNTDRV55

The optispark is located below the pump and gets wet when the pump blows.

CNTDRV55

I have 75k in 3.5 yrs on one pump so far. I suspect high mileage as the reason as well.

I bought the car with 9k on it and it was 2.5 yrs old. Hydraulic clutch (master cylinder ) went out a week later. The shop suspected that the seals dried out from non-use. (I have 75k on the new cylinder). I'll keep my fingers crossed but my car seems to run best when its run often!