Optispark Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 950
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From: Medicine Hat Alberta
Optispark Question
I tried all the tips on blowing out the optispark and and even tested all the "FIRE" in the plugs and according to my obdII reader my p0301 is still missfire....we pulled off the plug wire and noticed a very weak spark....What could this be? Could the number 1 plug be defective? Or is the optispark still wet? It has been well over a week now and my patience is running low. When I first initially start the car she purrs like a kitten...smooth and no back firing.....Once you place it in drive or reverse she chugs like an old john deer. I tried to drive her on the Highway and at high speed she does fine...I keep her under 100kmh or else I hear a knocking sound...almost like diesel...So I don't even drive her anymore. But after travelling on the street and I come to a stop, she chugs again....So now I am very confused.....ANY ONE HAVE ANY THOUGHTS? 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,875
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From: Olive Branch (Memphis suburb) MS
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by HOOBS
we pulled off the plug wire and noticed a very weak spark....What could this be? Could the number 1 plug be defective?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
From: Medicine Hat Alberta
Optispark Question
I washed under the hood a week ago and I would find it coincidental if the plug fouled at the same time? 
If I do go ahead and replace plug wires are they easy to change at the opti spark? Or do I have to take the balancer off and the water pump just to do that? 
If I do go ahead and replace plug wires are they easy to change at the opti spark? Or do I have to take the balancer off and the water pump just to do that?
Last edited by HOOBS; Apr 11, 2005 at 09:02 AM. Reason: more info
Advanced
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 59
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From: Ossian IN
This is a basic old-timer problem. You've burned a carbon track between spark plug connections inside the distributor cap (yes, an optispark has a cap). Replace the cap for $150 plus installation. Problem fixed.
Rebuilder
Rebuilder
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 591
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From: Moore South Carolina
My '92 has the original Opti design, but I experienced the same chugging/hunting at idle when mine failed. It also would hesitate, kick like a mule, and miss at higher speed whenever I gave it any gas at all. When I tore the old Opti apart, the carbon tracks were big enough to drive a train on and the center bearing was wobbly. It had seen water damage and begun to rust on the optical wheel as well.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 950
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From: Medicine Hat Alberta
I finally got mine up and running again...I will let her go till the end of the driving season here, then I may tear her apart and replace the whole opti....It's snowing here right now that even that is a bummer.
