Problem: I was driving down the highway, the engine died as if it were out of gas. Car would not restart.

Note: I had experienced some rough starting for the last month or so.

Tests: No spark when I checked one of the plug wires with timing light. All fuses check out ok. Check for codes with paperclip but nothing showed up.

Replaced: Ignition coil, ignition control module, fuel filter, fuel pump

Hypothesis: I'm thinking the problem is probably the optispark distributor.

Suggestions: ??????

 

Probably your optiospark, have you gone thru the diagnosis process in the service manual?

 

Diagnose the problem before you start throwing expensive parts at it.

See if there's spark coming out of the ignition coil. Take it from there.

Be well,

SJW

 

Check the service manual before you spend anymore $$$$$.

 

If it does indeed turn out to be your Opti, I HIGHLY suggest going with a DynaSpark unit vs. an OE unit.

My '93 went through 2 OE units (one at 25k and the other at 28k). Just recently replaced the 2nd OE unit with a DynaSpark. There really is no compaison between the two, the OE unit is just garbage.

Save yourself the aggravation of dealing with another GM Opti.

 

Check the ignition wiring from from the coil to the Opti, too. It can get corroded.

Check your water pump weep hole. If it's leaking coolant, it's a sure bet it's doused and likely damaged your early, passively-vented Opti.

Remember, it only takes a thimbleful of coolant to kill the 1992-93 distributors.

 

Went through all diagnostics in book. I'm pretty confident that it's the optispark at this point.

Trying to decide on which one to buy... Dynaspark seems ridiculously expensive at $599... MSD Pro-Billet LT1 looks nice but still almost twice the price of the one I can get from JEGS. Does anyone have any experience with the JEGS model? http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...64013_-1_10679

Also, I think changing the waterpump or at least rebuilding it seems like a good idea when I put in the new distributor. Probably new wires and plugs too. Any thoughts or suggestions about this?

Note: The car has almost 170,000 miles on it.

How long do you guys think this will take me to remove and replace?

 

actually the OE optispark is fine, its the waterpump going bad thats the problem, if one were replaced in a few thousand miles of each other, I would suspect water pump leaking..ALWAYS replace waterpump when doing opti - also make sure it mated to engine tight.

 

Disagree. The OE Opti is not fine....it's garbage. I can't stress enough that there is a huge difference between the OE unit and the DynaSpark....you get what you pay for.

As far as the water pump being the culprit and the Opti would be just fine if the pump didn't leak on it - you can't sell me on that. I just put a DynaSpark in my car after the 2nd OE unit failed after 3k miles....the waterpump was not leaking onto the 2nd failed OE unit. The pump was not original either, it had been replaced right along with the 2nd Opti. All aspects of the pump were excellent with no leakage, and still the OE unit failed.

I realize it's difficult to rationalize paying so much for the DynaSpark, but you can pay now or pay later. I've physically had both the DynaSpark in one hand and the OE unit in the other and I can't believe that I actually went OE the second time around. You won't regret purchasing a DynaSpark, but I can't say that about an OE replacement.

Plugs/wires/hoses are all items that should be taken care of while you have the front of the motor apart anyway, so that's a big "yes" to your question about those.

Forgot to mention - consider changing your serpentine belt if you haven't already. Early '93 is double sided, later '93 is single sided. The early '93 GM belts are no longer available, but I was able to hunt down a few out of West Virginia, so keep looking if you can't find them at first. Good Luck.

 

Cool, thats why they sell both, I still say the OE opti is fine when the waterpump isnt leaking. If you prefer the Dynaspark, I am sure its a good unit too.

 

The belt is still available through your local Chevy dealership (got mine for $40.00 from West Chevrolet). I wouldn't start swapping out pulleys until you know for sure it's discontinued. Besides, how often do you go through a serpentine belt? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

If you don't have an FSM I do for a 93 and can lookup or fax whatever you need. I do not have a scanner though.

 

Actually, Poughkeepsie Chevrolet in Poughkeepsie, NY says otherwise. The EARLY '93 belt is discontinued. This has been a topic of discussion here in the past as well. When I put the DynaSpark in about 3 weeks ago I took a look at the belt, and at 28k miles it was cracked in many places. Personally, I don't have a lot of faith in a cracked belt. Given the mileage of the car in the original post, I'd change out the belt while doing the Opti.

 

I'd replace a belt with cracks too. I guess the dealerships here in the south must have a inside scoop on the early belts for '92's and early '93's. We can STILL get them here in Tennessee.

 

I can still get them in Louisville, KY. too. They run about $40 bones, but I get a 10% discount for Falls City Corvette Club Membership.

For the plugs wires, best deal I've found online is at www.GMPartsDirect.com They have a complete set of O.E.M. AC/Delco ingition wires for under $50 plus shipping.

For the plugs, I like the NGK TR-55 Double Platinums. You might as well replace the plug wire holders, too, as they're sure to be cracked from engine heat.

You can order them online for about $10 from Mid America Motorworks (MAM).

 

You southern guys are lucky if you can walk into your local dealer and buy an early '93 belt. I had to wait 4 days and pay $55.00 per belt (yeah, I bought 2 of them just to have a spare).

Somehow I feel violated....

 

Man...that's just wrong ($55.00). Hang in there Bro.

 

Thanks to each of you for your input and advice. I've decided to replace everything and spend all of my grocery money for the next three months doing so. Since the twins are still on the tit and my wife could lose a few pounds, I think this will work out nicely. I will be scheduling two business lunches everyday to maintain my girlish figure.

I'm thinking about selling this thing soon.

1993 Ruby Red 40th Anniversary Edition
Automatic, 170K miles, cold A/C, many new parts and upgrades including:
New tires
New Clarion CD/MP3 system
New fuel pump & filter
New ignition system (Opti-wires-plugs-coil-module)
New water pump and thermostat
New heater fan
New battery
New brakes

Any takers? What do you think I can get out of it? Enough to buy a new mustang?

 

opti opti opti

 

Have you tested your ECM?