Clean Engine / Opti Problem?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 688
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From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by ALLT4
I know those of who can do our own work hate Stealers but for some people they might like the convenience and a warranty. If the guy doesn't feel comfortable with doing this work and has the money to spend maybe we shouldn't try to dissuade him or talk him into doing something he's not sure he can pull off.
beachrover, it's up to you. Do what you think is best in this situation. For that matter what if everyone is wrong (I doubt it) but just for arguments sake this one time it isn't the opti and some other component got wet and crapped. What do you do now that you've spent money and time installing an opti and it still doesn't run?
beachrover, it's up to you. Do what you think is best in this situation. For that matter what if everyone is wrong (I doubt it) but just for arguments sake this one time it isn't the opti and some other component got wet and crapped. What do you do now that you've spent money and time installing an opti and it still doesn't run?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Waterbury Connecticut
Originally Posted by TheAngelOfDeath
Opti was not produced until 1992 LT1.
THANKS, I NEEDED THAT ANSWER. I'LL JUST KEEP ON DRIVING BUT I THINK I'LL CLEAN THE ENGINE WITH RAGS FROM NOW ON ANYWAY JUST TO BE SURE. 
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 502
Likes: 1
From: Schwenksville PA
I checked into replacing the Opti. I thought I had a bad Opti but it turned out to be a loose coil wire. Dealers are around $1,100 for opti replacement (part and labor 4 hours x $75). They charge list price for the opti. I called around and can get it for under $400. Local shop wanted under $900 to do the job. I have read good things about the Dynaspark which is an aftermarket Opti replacement. A little more expensive but supposedly worth it. Just to put it behind me, I plan on replacing the water pump and opti over the winter.
As far as doing it yourself, I have already had the water pump out. Not a real difficult job. Plugs and wires are doable Haven't tackled the opti yet, but plan on it. There are a lot of post on all of these. At between $65 and $75 per hour it is worth a shot.
As far as doing it yourself, I have already had the water pump out. Not a real difficult job. Plugs and wires are doable Haven't tackled the opti yet, but plan on it. There are a lot of post on all of these. At between $65 and $75 per hour it is worth a shot.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I agree with both JetJock and ALLT4, but see the situation that beach is in: he's trying to get it ready for his wife, fast, including upholstery. Lotta work to do and thus, possibly someone else has got to do it. September is, after all, just a few weeks (or less) away.
beach, I don't know if there's a good repair shop that knows Corvettes near you, but it sure would help if they checked things out before telling them or the dealer, replace the Opti, Water Pump, spark plugs and wires, and hoses.
Question: anyone know of a good, indy shop in the area of Wilmington, North Caroloina?
beach, I don't know if there's a good repair shop that knows Corvettes near you, but it sure would help if they checked things out before telling them or the dealer, replace the Opti, Water Pump, spark plugs and wires, and hoses.
Question: anyone know of a good, indy shop in the area of Wilmington, North Caroloina?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
I agree with both JetJock and ALLT4, but see the situation that beach is in: he's trying to get it ready for his wife, fast, including upholstery. Lotta work to do and thus, possibly someone else has got to do it. September is, after all, just a few weeks (or less) away.
beach, I don't know if there's a good repair shop that knows Corvettes near you, but it sure would help if they checked things out before telling them or the dealer, replace the Opti, Water Pump, spark plugs and wires, and hoses.
Question: anyone know of a good, indy shop in the area of Wilmington, North Caroloina?
beach, I don't know if there's a good repair shop that knows Corvettes near you, but it sure would help if they checked things out before telling them or the dealer, replace the Opti, Water Pump, spark plugs and wires, and hoses.
Question: anyone know of a good, indy shop in the area of Wilmington, North Caroloina?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by beachrover
Update:
Tried everything suggested with no luck so its the dreaded rollback ride to the dealer tomorrow. I'd love to think I could get this thing back running for $700.00 to $800.00 but its begining to sound like a lot more after reading some of the post.
Tried everything suggested with no luck so its the dreaded rollback ride to the dealer tomorrow. I'd love to think I could get this thing back running for $700.00 to $800.00 but its begining to sound like a lot more after reading some of the post.
As far as price goes I don't rememer what I paid to replace the Opti and waterpump about 4 years ago, (seems like ~$1200 for both) but just to replace the Opti cap was around ~$350 last year.
I had them put a crate engine in my 94 LT1 in April and they actually sold the engine to me almost $500 cheaper than I could get it myself. And I had the car back in 4 days.
I guess it boils down to how much time do you have to do this and how much aggravation you want. I had no free time and didn't want the hassle so in it went.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by beachrover
Thanks for the post. I have 2 friends in the area with C4's and they both have said that they have had their cars serviced at a few different places locally but the Chevy Dealership has always ended up being the best bet. Apparently, no one locally is any good on Vettes so when they have tried them they have gotten their cars back with as many or more problems than when they went in. The rollback should be picking it up anytime and its of to the dealer.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Well if they do end up changing the Opti-spark, I'd have them change the water pump too since they are already in there plus a couple items I wasn't aware of when I had the dealer to mine (live and learn):
10457702 distributor (opti-spark)
10217886 drive shaft seal
10219554 water drive shaft
10128317 opti seal
10128343 water pump gaskets
The reason I mention the drive shaft seal is because it has very very tight tolerances, if it is even slightly worn you'll get a nasty oil leak. So it's best to do it at that time. I've also had recommendations to replace the timing gear set too. I don't have that info readily available.
10457702 distributor (opti-spark)
10217886 drive shaft seal
10219554 water drive shaft
10128317 opti seal
10128343 water pump gaskets
The reason I mention the drive shaft seal is because it has very very tight tolerances, if it is even slightly worn you'll get a nasty oil leak. So it's best to do it at that time. I've also had recommendations to replace the timing gear set too. I don't have that info readily available.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by grayml
JG Chevy has 2 great vette mechanics now, they used to have a guy named Mike Maltba who is top notch on vettes but he quit and opened his own shop somewhere on Carolina Beach Rd. He is the only place besides the dealer that will ever touch my baby. Now all I have to do is to find his shop.
Are there any good corvette clubs in Wilmington?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
Originally Posted by blown66
I just posted on the tech side but here goes---use a hair dryer for about 20 minutes on the opti.
Good post!
Working outside with various electronics, I've had everything from computers to cell phones to amplifiers and test equipment get wet. Most of the time, just letting it dry out or using a hair dryer (as you suggested) will put everything back to normal. However...if the equipment is running when it gets wet, or turned on before it is dried really reduces the possiblity of surviving the ordeal.
So far I've not had problems w/ my Opti. But in the same situation, I would have tried your suggestion as well and would have been my suggestion too, had I any experience w/ it.
P.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Originally Posted by beachrover
If you find it, let me know. Just got off the phone with JG Chevrolet and they tried to clean me out. Wanted $1,800.00 just to change Optispark, plugs & wires. I told them to push the car back out in the lot and I'd have a wrecker come and pick it up. "Service Writer" calls me back in about 5 minutes and says "Sorry, I plugged in the wrong parts #s, it will be $1,057.00. and I can have it ready tomorrow morning. These guys are as bad as Land Rover dealers.
Are there any good corvette clubs in Wilmington?
Are there any good corvette clubs in Wilmington?
If you had them just do plugs & wires it'd be about $300 plus, so your getting the opti done for under 700. which is really not bad. I have a new water pump installed at the same time they are not that much more.
Have you tried to start it up since all this time has passed?
MFIC
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 14
From: Charlotte, North Carolina
Those two mechanics names are Keith and Dan.
I worked with those guys last year, there is no better in that shop in regards to Corvette work. 
I worked with those guys last year, there is no better in that shop in regards to Corvette work.
Originally Posted by grayml
JG Chevy has 2 great vette mechanics now, they used to have a guy named Mike Maltba who is top notch on vettes but he quit and opened his own shop somewhere on Carolina Beach Rd. He is the only place besides the dealer that will ever touch my baby. Now all I have to do is to find his shop.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Originally Posted by beachrover
If you find it, let me know. Just got off the phone with JG Chevrolet and they tried to clean me out. Wanted $1,800.00 just to change Optispark, plugs & wires. I told them to push the car back out in the lot and I'd have a wrecker come and pick it up. "Service Writer" calls me back in about 5 minutes and says "Sorry, I plugged in the wrong parts #s, it will be $1,057.00. and I can have it ready tomorrow morning. These guys are as bad as Land Rover dealers.
Are there any good corvette clubs in Wilmington?
Are there any good corvette clubs in Wilmington?
I remember posts from a forum member who is president of a vette club in your area, hopefully someone else remembers who he is.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: West Burlington Iowa
I had the same problem with my opti getting wet and the Vett not wanting to start. Some good ol WD40 sprayed down in that area took care of it after I let it set for a couple of days. Good luck!
