Optispark-Should I replace ?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: West Chester PA
Optispark-Should I replace ?
I am a new member and would like to thank everyone for all of the valueable info on this site.
I just purchased a 95 that was sitting for about a year or so. The car runs good but had a leaking water pump that I just removed.
My question is, should I replace the distributor ? I have read that the optispark on the 95's was sealed better. Mabe disassemble and inspect it ?
Thanks,
Bob
I just purchased a 95 that was sitting for about a year or so. The car runs good but had a leaking water pump that I just removed.
My question is, should I replace the distributor ? I have read that the optispark on the 95's was sealed better. Mabe disassemble and inspect it ?
Thanks,
Bob
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 34
From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Any time you replace the water pump on an opti-spark engine, it would be foolish not to replace the opti. Wires also if they're original.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 16,950
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, Virginia Kittah, Kittah, Kittah...
Originally Posted by xccter
Any time you replace the water pump on an opti-spark engine, it would be foolish not to replace the opti. Wires also if they're original.
You don't want to go through the hassle of removing the WP again later...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 908
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
Hmmm, no one asked you how many miles on the car. Replace it if you like, but if it has low miles I bet that Opti is fine. Changing it and the wires is a lot more work ahead of you, and may give you no more than a little piece of mind.
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 34
From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
I was initially going to ask about mileage, but you really can't put a price on piece of mind after 10 years, so...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
My take: You can either leave the opti on and just replace the water pump and hope everything goes well in the future.
You can spend the money and replace the opti and have piece of mind, but any new product can fail at anytime.
If many miles on the engine. Replace the spark plug wires while your there at least and perhaps the spark plugs too.
You can spend the money and replace the opti and have piece of mind, but any new product can fail at anytime.
If many miles on the engine. Replace the spark plug wires while your there at least and perhaps the spark plugs too.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 908
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
I replaced my Gen1, passively vented Opti at 114K miles after a WP leak. Took it apart and there wasn't anything wrong with it, one small spot/stain near the weep holes, otherwise just fine. I'm still glad I replaced it, but mine had held up quite well. If this is a 50K mile or less car with a gen2 Opti, it is IMO likely a waste of time and money to replace a perfectly good Opti. If it has more than 50K, it gets harder to make that decision.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 617
Likes: 14
From: Loudon, TN
I see no need to change the timing chain. 80k isn't that much mileage and you are looking at a lot more work to change it for very little to no gain. Spend your time and effort on cleaning and inspecting the rest of the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by RRT vette
My take: You can either leave the opti on and just replace the water pump and hope everything goes well in the future.
You can spend the money and replace the opti and have piece of mind, but any new product can fail at anytime.
If many miles on the engine. Replace the spark plug wires while your there at least and perhaps the spark plugs too.
You can spend the money and replace the opti and have piece of mind, but any new product can fail at anytime.
If many miles on the engine. Replace the spark plug wires while your there at least and perhaps the spark plugs too.
If it aint broke yet, dont fix it. It could last a long time yet. Youre no worse off if it does fail later on, if you can do the work yourself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,354
Likes: 2,279
From: Central Maryland
Originally Posted by bob-05
The car has 80k on it. Since I pulled it this morning I will be replacing it.
Any preference on brand ? Should I do the timing chain also?
Any preference on brand ? Should I do the timing chain also?
Definitely replace the plug wires while you're in there. Plugs are optional, but I'd do them, too unless they're fresh.
I'd also recommend you change all of the coolant hoses and serpentine belt while you have it apart, and drain and/or flush the entire cooling system (remove the knock sensors to drain the block).
Be well,
SJW
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Decatur Alabama
i just finished replacing the WP on my 96 this weekend...only 48K on the clock, so i left the opti-spark alone...if the opti does fail later, i can get the WP off in about an hour, so it won't be that big of a deal...
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by LT1SPUD
i just finished replacing the WP on my 96 this weekend...only 48K on the clock, so i left the opti-spark alone...if the opti does fail later, i can get the WP off in about an hour, so it won't be that big of a deal...
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Decatur Alabama
actually, the worst bolt to remove is the middle one on the drivers side...there are a couple of rubber hoses routed in front of that make it a real hassle to get a socket secured on the bolt head....all the others are pretty straight forward..........
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: West Chester PA
Originally Posted by LT1SPUD
actually, the worst bolt to remove is the middle one on the drivers side...there are a couple of rubber hoses routed in front of that make it a real hassle to get a socket secured on the bolt head....all the others are pretty straight forward..........
I am more fimiliar with the older corvettes. I pulled the pump and the Opti. The shaft on the Opti seems like it has some slop in it, but I don't have any experience with these.
I thought that the hardest part of the job was cleaning off the old gasket material on the engine block.
Thanks for all of the replies
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: CT
I just did my water pump. While taking out the water pump it poored about 1/2 gallon of coolant on the optispark so I decided to take it out to make sure it was ok. In order to take the optispark out you have to take the crank pully/balancer off. I took apart the optispark and was amazed to find it completely dry!!! I replaced the rotor and cap, $60.00, put it all together and it started up and ran perfect. I had some issues in the begining, but they were resolved.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by LT1SPUD
actually, the worst bolt to remove is the middle one on the drivers side...there are a couple of rubber hoses routed in front of that make it a real hassle to get a socket secured on the bolt head....all the others are pretty straight forward..........
Sorry mate!!! That is the one i meant, my car is right hand drive, your driver side is my passenger side 