93 ragtop. Optispark question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 262
Likes: 29
From: Parrish florida
93 ragtop. Optispark question
Hi fellow vette owners ! been reading up on the optispark distributer particularly on the 93s I understand if moisture happens to get in there's chance for ignition failure and a ride in a tow truck. my car hasn't seen rain in years and just wondered if that's the key to keeping the moisture in check. I get it if the water pump leaks your probably dead in the water. it's also an issue with keeping your engine clean my guess is gunking and washing it might risk the chance of water getting in. I've had 10 vettes one being a 92 and two 93's I've never experienced any ignition issues with them but the more I have read the luckier I feel since some owners claim to have had problems. am I on the right track? keep it dry - keep it running?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,323
Likes: 6,506
From: Melbourne, FL
Rain will likely not make a difference. It'd be tough for water to get to the opti eother from above or below.
The rotor/cap portion of the opti will eventually fail due to general wear inherent with rotors and caps. A water pump failure will certainly help speed that up.
It's my belief that the vast majority of "opti problems" are icm problems or coil problems that get replaced with the opti for completeness.
In short, drive it when you want to and don't worry about it.
The rotor/cap portion of the opti will eventually fail due to general wear inherent with rotors and caps. A water pump failure will certainly help speed that up.
It's my belief that the vast majority of "opti problems" are icm problems or coil problems that get replaced with the opti for completeness.
In short, drive it when you want to and don't worry about it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 262
Likes: 29
From: Parrish florida
93 ragtop opti spark
Thanks FAUEE, I drive it as much as possible, but never drive it in the rain, as back in 79 when I bought my first new one I totalled it due to slick roads and a little acceleration . 30mph is all it took sideways to wipe it out. of course back then the tires were not too snappy. thanks for the hit "live free or die"
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,059
Likes: 9,394
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
unless you are driving it thought really deep water puddles in a hard driving rain. then rain wont hurt it at all. just don't wash your engine, and keep your coolant hoses in check.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 262
Likes: 29
From: Parrish florida
Thanks nowhereman, no big deal as it NEVER sees rain we're talking a mint 93 inside outside,underneath and under the hood. Having had vettes since 79 i've always kept em stock and mint. With regards to washing the engine. I have several times call me lucky. What triggered my query were online comments regarding the optispark and a lot of other issue which I have not experienced with any of the 10 vettes that I've owned. Good old reliable chevrolet. Maintain em and they will treat you right. I've also had 3 xjs V12 jags and a couple of xj8 ragtops. Samething take care of them and they're awesome. Thanks again. " live free or die"
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,059
Likes: 9,394
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
If you don't directly spray the water hose on opti you can get lucky. but it's sort of like playing Russian roulette
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 89
From: Kingwood Texas
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 262
Likes: 29
From: Parrish florida
I hear Ya and usually I dry clean under the hood, keeping it in sweet condition. Long brushes, air pressure and then a dash of armor all. Boom like new. I'm a bit of a fanatic when it comes to my cars. So whenever I sell one... the buyer is getting a hell of a car. :=) as general john stark stated to the new hampshire congress. "Live free or die" truer words were never spoken
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 141
Likes: 22
From: Newark Delaware
As a noob and potential buyer of a '96 GS is the Optispark an expensive repair? Seems the more I read, the more prevalent an issue it is. Given not as bad as the C6 ZO6's heads issue, but just looking ahead to gather as much info. as I can on my search for "my car".
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 262
Likes: 29
From: Parrish florida
As a noob and potential buyer of a '96 GS is the Optispark an expensive repair? Seems the more I read, the more prevalent an issue it is. Given not as bad as the C6 ZO6's heads issue, but just looking ahead to gather as much info. as I can on my search for "my car".
Thanks!
Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 343
From: Glastonbury CT
Hi fellow vette owners ! been reading up on the optispark distributer particularly on the 93s I understand if moisture happens to get in there's chance for ignition failure and a ride in a tow truck. my car hasn't seen rain in years and just wondered if that's the key to keeping the moisture in check. I get it if the water pump leaks your probably dead in the water. it's also an issue with keeping your engine clean my guess is gunking and washing it might risk the chance of water getting in. I've had 10 vettes one being a 92 and two 93's I've never experienced any ignition issues with them but the more I have read the luckier I feel since some owners claim to have had problems. am I on the right track? keep it dry - keep it running?