Washed my engine
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 56
From: West Chester PA
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25
Opti-spark, wires, could be a few things. Probably a little more description would help, e.g. what did you use, how did you wash it, (hand, pressure washer, hose), did you cover anything? Hang in there, lots of help coming. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
I pressure washed it, it was pretty filthy, It ran fine directly after i did it but when i got to work it started sputering real bad, backfiring on the way home last night. This morning it wasn't as bad, Just seemed to be missing on one cylinder and smelled a little rich.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,605
Likes: 0
From: Wait 'til next year!!!!!! ---Emerald Coast of Florida
St. Jude Donor '10
Pressure washing an LT1 is not generally a good idea. 
Sounds like water got into the Opti. On a 92 it's not vented either. Hopefully it didn't get drenched and will dry out. 
Sounds like water got into the Opti. On a 92 it's not vented either. Hopefully it didn't get drenched and will dry out.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,154
Likes: 2
From: Ft Myers Florida
Yeah I've had that happen a couple times. I let it run (if it will) and let the engine heat up so it'll dry faster. If it does not clear up in a few days then plan on an opti. Of course GM reccomends replacing it every 60k so it's not like it's a lifetime part. Last one I got was 120 on ebay, not bad at all.
Last edited by Y-ME; Mar 28, 2008 at 05:50 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: Warren, Michigan
you can aim a blow dryer directly at the opti or close as possible and let it run for 30 minutes or so at a time. I was stupid and washed my '94 under the hood the first day I got it. It got to the point where it backfired and died 4 houses short of my house. Running the engine while washing didn't help either, so running/not running doesn't matter. I got used to washing my cars under the hood while running so I didn't think any different when I picked up this C4. It got better and better the longer I let the blow dryer sit there. Eventually the heat from the dryer dried up the moisture in the opti and my car runs great now. try it, what do you have to lose?.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
I dumped a BUNCH of antifreeze on my opti and it didn't run right. Used a can of compressed air(meant for a computer) and really dried out the plugs. Seemed to do the trick. Hasn't had a problem in many months.
But mines the vented kind.
But mines the vented kind.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Bartonville Illinois
I washed my 93 once. It didn't want to run for about 3 weeks. Then it didn't run very well.
I had to replace the opti. It wasn't really bad. The cap and rotor were so corroded that I had to replace. Its so much trouble to get to though, you might as well replace whole unit.
By the way I didn't cover the snorkel on the secondary air pump and I think that got ruined at same time. Unless it was already bad it was siezed up, looked like lime and it had blown the fuse mounted on the side. The new air pump was $219 and new opti was about $200
You might want to unplug the opti and clean the connector on the opti out with an air hose.
Sorry you missed the threads about the opti.
Good luck, you got a few hours work ahead of you.
Last edited by RACER 1993; Mar 28, 2008 at 09:00 PM. Reason: more info
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 14
From: POINT PLEASANT NEW JERSEY
If GM wanted the Engine to get wet...they would have never designed a Hood!!! Does that make any sense??? Of course not. Anyways....I NEVER....N E V E R !!!!! E V E R ..put a hose to my 87s' Engine. I don't even have an Optispark to worry about...but I still avoid hosing it like the plague. Personal experience...the benefits of a quickie clean job of the engine bay is not worth the agony and heartache of exactly what you are going thru......waiting for everything to dry out and H O P E you did not fry the OptiSpark for one...as well as any other electronic part or sensor which if given the choice would avoid water like a Cat!!!I don't say this to rub salt in your wound, or break stones....I really feel bad especially if it is the OPTISPARK....I hope it is something that is temporary.....I would just avoid pressure washing/steam cleaning and go the tedious, time consuming Simple Green , wire brush/detail brush and rags route when cleaning the engine...Besides your engine comes out much better this way! Good Luck. Let us know if you make it out unscathed!!!
Last edited by Chewch87; Mar 28, 2008 at 09:11 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 1
From: NY
That's pretty good. 
Been through 3 Optis myself. First one crapped out at 25k and the 2nd one ( a GM replacement, which I would never recommend) crapped out at 28k. 
Then went with a Dyna Spark and have been VERY pleased. PS - I've never washed the motor and I still had problems. All underhood cleaning done by hand with no excess water. Go figure.
Been through 3 Optis myself. First one crapped out at 25k and the 2nd one ( a GM replacement, which I would never recommend) crapped out at 28k. Then went with a Dyna Spark and have been VERY pleased. PS - I've never washed the motor and I still had problems. All underhood cleaning done by hand with no excess water. Go figure.