Another Opti question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
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From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Another Opti question
I have to replace my water pump. I noticed coolant leaking from the weep holes last night so its time. I've read many posts here about the relationship between the wp and the optispark but am still somewhat confused as to where the opti actually is. From diagrams I've seen it appears to be behind the wp and slightly lower on the engine block face. Is this correct? If so, would coolant dripping from the weep holes get to the opti, or is it possible I caught it in time? Also, while I know its been said if you have to replace either the wp or ther opti its best to do both "while you're in there". But is it REALLY necesary? Thanks for your help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,350
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From: Northeast FL
From what I've read here the opti usually goes out somewhere between 70K and 85K so if you're close to that you should probably do it as you'll have to take the wp off again to get to it when the time comes.
As far as "catching it in time" the older optis weren't sealed as well as the later ones (which weren't sealed all that great either) but if it still runs OK it should be fine for now. Again from what I've read here it's not so much fluid getting directly in the opti as it is the condensation buildup from the moisture.
Of course that being said, it won't be fun trying to pull the wp and not get water all over the opti in which case it'll have to be replaced.
Just my two cents. You might send a PM to Bogus for his thoughts on this.
As far as "catching it in time" the older optis weren't sealed as well as the later ones (which weren't sealed all that great either) but if it still runs OK it should be fine for now. Again from what I've read here it's not so much fluid getting directly in the opti as it is the condensation buildup from the moisture.
Of course that being said, it won't be fun trying to pull the wp and not get water all over the opti in which case it'll have to be replaced.
Just my two cents. You might send a PM to Bogus for his thoughts on this.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 412
Likes: 21
From: Franklin TN
I changed my opti when I did the pump, but I think you could change the opti without changing the pump if you wanted to. It is just a lot easier to get to it with the pump off. as far as the pump leaking it depends on who long and how much it has been leaking. If water has been dripping into the opti it will shorten the life of the opti. When I put my new pump on I had the weep hole drilled out and tapped, then I screwed in a threaded pipe fitting, then connected a rubber hose to it and ran the hose down and around the opti. If the pump starts to leak the water will drop directly on to my garage floor where hopefully I will see it before it is to late. Hopefully someone esle can tell you for sure if the pump has to come off to change the opti.
Good Luck
Gooseit
Good Luck
Gooseit
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Your correct on the location. If your changing the Opti-spark you have to remove the waterpump, but if your just replacing the waterpump then you shouldn't have to remove the Opti-spark. You must ensure that no coolant contaminates the Opti-spark when you remove the water pump.
It sounds like your going to do it yourself, you might give serious consideration to replacing the Opti-Spark while your there, if you have significant mileage on it. You wouldn't be a happy camper if a few weeks or months down the road the Opti-Spark goes and you have to repeat the process again. Also price check around, Chris at Superior or GMPartsDirect will be your best deal I think.
It sounds like your going to do it yourself, you might give serious consideration to replacing the Opti-Spark while your there, if you have significant mileage on it. You wouldn't be a happy camper if a few weeks or months down the road the Opti-Spark goes and you have to repeat the process again. Also price check around, Chris at Superior or GMPartsDirect will be your best deal I think.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Port Angeles WA
Optispark Replacement
If you are due for a complete tune-up, you might be smart to at least change the cap and roter on the optispark. My 92 had been running just fine until one day I decided to clean the engine. Big mistake! After replacing the optispark with a modified vented one, I couldn't believe the difference in performance. I also put in new wires, plugs, etc... I did the work myself and saved a lot of money. If you are a resonably well equiped backyard mechanic you should be able to do the job yourself if you are so inclined. There are several DIY sites that give you step by step instructions on how to replace the optispark with vented modification. Good luck!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
Originally Posted by 6t9l4t6
From diagrams I've seen it appears to be behind the wp and slightly lower on the engine block face. Is this correct?
If so, would coolant dripping from the weep holes get to the opti, or is it possible I caught it in time?
Also, while I know its been said if you have to replace either the wp or ther opti its best to do both "while you're in there". But is it REALLY necesary?
In the reverse case, when replacing the opti you should probably replace the WP unless it's already new.
If you do replace the opti, don't just do the cap and rotor, it is a job you only want to do once. You don't want to have to go back and replace the whole thing because of failed optical system or bearing.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Thanks to all who have replied. As I mentioned in a post last night I've brought to car to my mechanic (and even lent him my Helms manual, just in case) and told him to be very careful not to get the opti wet. Right now I just don't have the time to do it myself, and most of my tools are at my second house, about 85 miles away.
