Clean Engine / Opti Problem?
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Wilmington NC
Clean Engine / Opti Problem?
So I clean my engine today without first doing a search on the forum. Used typical engine cleaner & water. Covered all electrical components. After cleaning, cranked engine and let it run for 15 to 20 minutes. No problems, back it in the garage and clean the interior of the car.
About 1 1/2 hours later go to leave and the thing barely starts. When it does, its missing like crazy and "chokes" off as soon as I put in drive. It sounds as if it has "jumped" timing.
Is this something that will clear (if so when) or do I need to go ahead and call the wrecker. It parked on the side of the street in front of my house now.
Edit: sorry its a '93
About 1 1/2 hours later go to leave and the thing barely starts. When it does, its missing like crazy and "chokes" off as soon as I put in drive. It sounds as if it has "jumped" timing.
Is this something that will clear (if so when) or do I need to go ahead and call the wrecker. It parked on the side of the street in front of my house now.
Edit: sorry its a '93
Last edited by beachrover; Aug 12, 2006 at 04:31 PM.
St Jude donor 06
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 140
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From: Western Pa
When I bought my 92 the first thing I was told by the corvette dealer not to spray water onto the motor as the opti will get wet and is expensive to repair.....I have been told the same by someone else. Will it fix itself, I don't have the answer, just giving you the info I was given. Hope it heals itself..........let us know how it works out.
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From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by lawman910
When I bought my 92 the first thing I was told by the corvette dealer not to spray water onto the motor as the opti will get wet and is expensive to repair.....I have been told the same by someone else. Will it fix itself, I don't have the answer, just giving you the info I was given. Hope it heals itself..........let us know how it works out.
Large Impressive Member
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Get some electronics cleaner, unplug the opti connectors (one at the opti and one on the right side of the intake about halfway) and spray them down. Blow out the inside of the connector on the opti and spray it again. Let everything dry and apply dielectric grease to all connections and try again. It's worth a shot and if you're lucky it might be okay.
Race Director
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From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
If you DO end up having to repalce the Opti, do the water pump as well. You'll thank yourself when you don't have to worry about either for a while. The WP has to come off to do the Opti, anyway, so might as well replace with a new one "while they're in there." Part should be ~$160 from Chris May at Superior Chevy. If you don't replace it, you're taking the risk of it puking coolant onto your new Opti at some point, and then again, waterpump AND Opti replacement will be required.
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Perfusion
If you DO end up having to repalce the Opti, do the water pump as well. You'll thank yourself when you don't have to worry about either for a while. The WP has to come off to do the Opti, anyway, so might as well replace with a new one "while they're in there." Part should be ~$160 from Chris May at Superior Chevy. If you don't replace it, you're taking the risk of it puking coolant onto your new Opti at some point, and then again, waterpump AND Opti replacement will be required.
Good advice. Also, while you're doing the 'drying' process, do the connectors at the coil and coil module. I had trouble with them once after cleaning my engine. And yes, I do wash mine when it needs it. I'm not saying you should or should anyone else, but I do. I'm just very careful as to how I do it. Also I have the later opti which is a little more forgiving in such matters.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 120
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From: Port Angeles WA
My experience with the dreaded Opti-spark is similar to yours. Like you, I didn’t read the CF until after the damage had been done. I had owned my 92 LT1 for less than a month when I decided to clean the engine using engine degreaser and water. Same results. At first it would start but ran rough. After awhile it would buck and snort and refuse to start. I suspect, in my case anyway, that when I washed the engine with the degreaser the sludge got into the Opti-spark. I was never able to get it to start again and ended up replacing it. At that time there was 56K miles on it. When I took it apart the contacts showed signs of arching and a buildup of rust and corrosion on all the metal parts. So, in a way I guess it was good that I killed it. Once I installed the new vented Opti-spark, it made a big difference in the performance of the engine. Vroom!!! Plus I put on new wires, plugs and coil at that time.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 47
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From: atlanta ga
Opti-Spark replacement costs - dealer installed
Thanks for info on the Opti-Spark. I've been looking to buy my first Vette - and I found a good price on a nice 1993 (I probably won't buy it due to distance/shipping costs). However, the guy says that the only thing it needs is replacement of the Opti-Spark distributor.
If a person got a super low price on a nice car, how much would it cost to have a dealer replace the Opt-Spark & do a tune-up?
I would like to know whether this guy's price is really that good.
Any idea the cost for dealer replacement in California?
If a person got a super low price on a nice car, how much would it cost to have a dealer replace the Opt-Spark & do a tune-up?
I would like to know whether this guy's price is really that good.
Any idea the cost for dealer replacement in California?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 120
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From: Port Angeles WA
Originally Posted by rhcesquire
Thanks for info on the Opti-Spark. I've been looking to buy my first Vette - and I found a good price on a nice 1993 (I probably won't buy it due to distance/shipping costs). However, the guy says that the only thing it needs is replacement of the Opti-Spark distributor.
If a person got a super low price on a nice car, how much would it cost to have a dealer replace the Opt-Spark & do a tune-up?
I would like to know whether this guy's price is really that good.
Any idea the cost for dealer replacement in California?
If a person got a super low price on a nice car, how much would it cost to have a dealer replace the Opt-Spark & do a tune-up?
I would like to know whether this guy's price is really that good.
Any idea the cost for dealer replacement in California?
OEM $1100-1300 or higher. Most suggest a new water pump, wires and plugs while you're in there
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,488
Likes: 1,352
Originally Posted by rhcesquire
Thanks for info on the Opti-Spark. I've been looking to buy my first Vette - and I found a good price on a nice 1993 (I probably won't buy it due to distance/shipping costs). However, the guy says that the only thing it needs is replacement of the Opti-Spark distributor.
If a person got a super low price on a nice car, how much would it cost to have a dealer replace the Opt-Spark & do a tune-up?
I would like to know whether this guy's price is really that good.
Any idea the cost for dealer replacement in California?
If a person got a super low price on a nice car, how much would it cost to have a dealer replace the Opt-Spark & do a tune-up?
I would like to know whether this guy's price is really that good.
Any idea the cost for dealer replacement in California?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 231
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From: Waterbury Connecticut
OK so I have an 86 Vert. All of my experience with a Vette has come from reading this forum. Do the 86's have this OPTI Too. Everything I've read about them seem to be 1990's C4's. When I got my Vert 3 years ago the first thing I did was wash the engine. Was I just lucky or did I have nothing to worry about? 
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 11,628
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From: Sherwood, Arkansas
Originally Posted by papidos
OK so I have an 86 Vert. All of my experience with a Vette has come from reading this forum. Do the 86's have this OPTI Too. Everything I've read about them seem to be 1990's C4's. When I got my Vert 3 years ago the first thing I did was wash the engine. Was I just lucky or did I have nothing to worry about? Opti was not produced until 1992 LT1.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Wilmington NC
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.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 617
Likes: 14
From: Loudon, TN
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 5
From: Howard PA
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?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
I think there needs to be a sticky made entitled must read for all C4 owners and washing the engine needs to be at the top of the list, hopefully saving others from this mess.
Water does not hurt the opti, it is coolant that is deadly to it. Water evaporates, where as coolant doesn't so well, leaves a residue that is caustic to the optical disc.
More than likely after a day or so, it should be fine. He doesn't need to rush to a repair shop to replace items that may not even be necessary.
However, whether your going to the dealer or shop for a repair or doing it yourself, either way it's important to know the cost of parts and what is necessary. At least that way you can prevent being taken. In some cases you can buy the parts and pay the labor to have them installed. There is nothing wrong with being informed.
Water does not hurt the opti, it is coolant that is deadly to it. Water evaporates, where as coolant doesn't so well, leaves a residue that is caustic to the optical disc.
More than likely after a day or so, it should be fine. He doesn't need to rush to a repair shop to replace items that may not even be necessary.
However, whether your going to the dealer or shop for a repair or doing it yourself, either way it's important to know the cost of parts and what is necessary. At least that way you can prevent being taken. In some cases you can buy the parts and pay the labor to have them installed. There is nothing wrong with being informed.