Opti/Water pump question

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Dec 26, 2006 | 10:42 AM

95Torch

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 292

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From: Houston Tx

Opti/Water pump question

Last week I got into my car after pumping gas. I turned the key, it started and then 1 second later it died and would not crank back up. I had it towed to my normal place of service (a local corvette shop) and here is what they discovered. Apparently the water pump had started leaking onto the opti causing it to malfunction, thus causing the no start. Total cost of repairs is as follows:

Water pump, opti distributor, cooling temp sensor, serpentine belt, TPS.
Total $1451,00.

Ouch…the week of Christmas as well! Does this seem too much? Or is this pretty much the going rate for an opti/water pump replacement. Just checking…maybe it might me feel better if I know I didn’t get raped during the holidays.

Dec 26, 2006 | 11:17 AM

Normseven

Racer

Joined: Jan 2006

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From: Palm Springs CA

I think its steep, but so are all high end cars. I want to have my 95 tuned, but am not looking forward to taking to the shop. As long as it running good now. I thought the 95 have the improved opti?

Dec 26, 2006 | 11:24 AM

zr1fred

Race Director

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 10,691

Likes: 71

From: Phoenix Arizona

Maybe a little high, but not much. NO opti-spark will survive a bad water pump, or at least run with one. That's the big myth about opti's, its the water pump that causes the problem.

Dec 26, 2006 | 12:12 PM

95Torch

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 292

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From: Houston Tx

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normseven

I think its steep, but so are all high end cars. I want to have my 95 tuned, but am not looking forward to taking to the shop. As long as it running good now. I thought the 95 have the improved opti?

Yeah you are right, however i did have an upper radiator hose burst on me this past summer, so i'm sure it took a pretty good soaking then. Plus i'm pretty maticulous about keeping my engine looking new so it's gotten quite a bit of overspray over the years. So i guess 12 years with original opti seems like a lucky thing to me. Especially seeing how many times the earlier models have to be replaced. But it sure would have been nice for it to happen at a different time of the year.

Dec 26, 2006 | 01:01 PM

aminnich

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 6,564

Likes: 6

From: Woodstock Georgia

If the plug wires are original this would be the time to replace them as well. I know it is more $$, but cheaper now than later.

Dec 26, 2006 | 02:54 PM

greenvette95

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 8,169

Likes: 1

From: Knoxville,TN TN

St. Jude Donor '03

Go to GM parts direct and get the parts a half price.

Dec 26, 2006 | 03:29 PM

bradf_nc

Instructor

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 122

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From: Pinetops North Carolina

http://www.delteq.com/opti_pricing.htm

Dec 26, 2006 | 03:44 PM

jrzvette

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

Get a breakdown of the prices for parts and labor. The 95-96 opti (OEM) is about half the price of the 92-94. Make sure he isn't quoting you the first gen price (about $600) for a second gen part (around $300)