Driving down the Hwy. tonight and went to pass when all the sudden from the rear view mirror it looked like the Space Shuttle on take off. I figured it was the radiator but since I left my phone at the house and no flashlight in the car after 30 minutes of hoping someone would surely pull over to help (especially seeing a Vette) decided to start walking. I walked 3 miles to the service station. Now I know how hitchhikers feel.

After getting the car towed and haven't paid that fee yet but once home I noticed the upper radiator hose had a drip. My question is I'm confused between the front upper and rear upper radiator hose's? It looks like the upper hose has a splitter in it. It's the hose that goes over the belts. Thanks.

The paperclip code (blink,blink,blink) pause
(blink,blink,blink,blink,blink,blink)

It blinked 3 times then paused for a second then blinked 6 times.

 

Well, you have a code 36 stored. Not sure what that means for your year.

Was the white cloud coming from the exhaust?(possible headgasket) or from the engine compartment?(consistant with your observation of a split hose).

 

don't know if you're year is the same re: codes, on an 87 code 36 is
a MAF code, can be as simple as a relay or something a little more complex-hope you have the FSM.If you do have MAF, start by checking the connections to relays, Maf etc.

 

If the white smoke was coming from the exhaust, you have an internal leak, most likely head gasket. Give it a compression and leakdown test. That will tell the tale as one or two cylinders will lose pressure quickly. There might also be evidence of coolant in the oil...check dip stick for milky appearance in the oil.

 

Couldn't see any white smoke because it was pitch dark last night and haven't cranked it today. Trying to get the hose clamps off. There's just a steady drip coming from the engine to Tee hose. I had to call like 50 part stores this morning trying to find it. Only had to drive 3 hours to get it.

 

Your prfile says you have an LT1 engine. Code 36 is high resonance from the opti-spark, which is really bad news. your opti-spark has just retired to opti-spark heaven. I am going to guess your hose leaked and sprayed anti-freeze on the opti. Don't be surprised when it won;t start, with code 36 it should not start until you replace the opti. There are lots of threads in here about that job, not an easy one.

 

Thanks I feel much better now. But after I hooked the hose up, I cranked and let it worm up then made a couple of blocks with no problems. Yes, antifreeze sprayed all over the belts as well as the opti I believe. So what should I expect after makeing a couple of blocks?

 

If it starts, the opti is okay! Enjoy!

 

OH slicked I think you are screwed.You have the code for opti death.Even if it starts after fixing the hose it is only a matter of time before it happens again.I am sorry but it looks like it will be time to get the wrenches and money out.That code means you boogerd up the Optical sensor and even though if may have gotten enough signal to restart it will get worse now.You can drive it till it dies but I would make sure you have a cell phone and AAA.

The smoke was probably coming from the coolant on your exhaust coming from under the car out the back.

 

She's Dead! After going around the block several times the SES light came on and pulled into the driveway where she took her last breath for now. I have never looked into this opti stuff before considering I just got the car in November. It looks like the ignition coil wire is soaked but where that wire leads to (ignition coil) is dry. I don't even know what the opti looks like.

How much does the opti cost? Can I install or is it better to take it to the pro's? I'm so pissed right now I can't even think. I guess it's better that It happend in the driveway v's Interstate.

 

First have a couple of beers or wiskey.Do you have the Factory service manual?If not better to let someone else do it or find a forum member near by to help.Your not going to like the price either I will get to that later.To do the Opti deed you will need to remove the Waterpump,harmonic balancer and align the hub with one hole directly at the bottom and the other 2 to the left and right of the opti to allow it to come out.Disconnect the wires and mark them(I used masking tape and put the numbers on that I read off the new one cap) then unscrew it and remove.

Now our beloved GenI optis have a spline with a key in it where 2 of the ridges are ground down.It is important to take the spline out of the old one and find the orientation of where that key fits.It should slide in and out very easily then orient the new one to as close as you can get it to that angle and try to slide it in DO NOT PUSH HARD it should slip in when it is aligned properly.It can be shoved in off position this is the the most common reason for no starts after install.Do everthing in reverse and fire the engine before installing the water pump to be sure you did not do the above.

Now the price The opti is ~$300 and most people do the water pump at this time it is~$150.When you pull the WP look at the weep hole at the bottom I bet you will find some leakage.The wires and plugs are a lot easier to do now too so bite the bullet and get them too.

I put a Dynaspark in mine and it is water proof.I also have done a 93 opti conversion that is posted in my pics that will be better than stock if your inclined to go that way but it cost me only $100 less than the Dynaspark to do that.The Dynaspark is $599.Msd just came out with one too but I can't say much about it it is too new and is a little cheaper.

If you take it to the Pros it is going to cost around $1200 It is not that hard really but you will need a good torque wrench and good socket set.you can do it I am sure.

If you need any advice when you do it feel free to PM me I spend lots of time here in case you didn't notice and would be glad to guide you.It will probably take 6-8 hours if you hit it hard the first time.Good luck and take another drink

 

My friend just said, "My advice to you, is to start drinking heavily." The book I have is Chilton repair manual. I'm looking thru the Ecklers magazine they sent me and what exactly does the opti look like? My Aunt, who owned this car before me had told me that she just put a new water pump in it. So you think I'll still new a new one?

What all do I need let's go ahead and say Water pump, distributor, etc.?

 

Look at my pics you will see one.I gave you a pretty good list

Waterpump&gaskets,RTV sealant for the WP,Opti,Plug wires at least because it is so much easier to do it now with everything off.Plugs can wait.That should do it for a basic job.Shop around for the Opti check with Cris at superior and Van Devere they used to have a good price.Waterpump can be gotten at Autozone although some will say use OEM I did not.Your friend was right but when you get done with it you will have so much pride in yourself you won't believe.The worst part will be getting the balancer off soak it with PB blaster for a couple of days they stick.Have at it.You might get by with the chiltons I can PM you the proper torque values which is what the FSM is needed for but you really should get one but I can understand the added cost right now may be an issue.

On the WP if you look at the weep hole and it is clean and it spins easily you can re-use it.

One other thing is when you get the opti(if you get OEM) take some RTV and seal around the plug area and put a bead all around the cap to help prevent this from happening again.The seal around the plug sucks on the OEM units you will see when you get it and I believe that is the major point of water/coolant intrusion.

 

Is this basically what I need? The GenI.

http://dynaspark.net/

 

Thats what I have on mine I recommend it.

 

I'm not laughing by any means. This job is totally unnecessary. Those mother $%&)(@# GM engineers did not have to build those year Vettes with the Opti so susceptible to liquid. They should all be shot.

Thank God I have an L98. They are all just about bullet proof to any kind of liquid and don't have the ominous Opti to contend with.

I feel for you for the job you are about to undertake.

 

I just read how to change the opti from corvette fever from Chris. There's is no way I'd be able to do this. I know I could tear into it but getting it all back together is the kicker. My question is since this opti lasted for 14 years, should I just buy the OEM since I'm probably not going to have it 5 years from now anyway? Then again I may keep this car forever. I'm still shellshocked on what to do. Getting robbed would be better than trying to figure this out.

I always thought that the distributor cap was on top of the engine not on the bottom just below the water pump. Must of been an afterthought.

 

Do not be intimidated it is not that hard it is only 12 bolts.A helper would be good especially for the WP re install but I did it all by my lonesome.Just stay organized as you tear it down and reverse.The choice is yours on what to buy but for the difference in price between the OEM and Dynaspark it is worth the piece of mind that it will not happen again and can be rebuilt for a good price if it does.Think of it as an extended warranty.The CF article shows how to mod the opti to make it better(IMHO) than the GEN II and almost as good as the dynaspark.I just sold my modded one to a new member for a good price or I would have offered it to you.Anyone with decent mechanical skills could do it and if you can get the FSM even better.

Hope this helps.

 

Your right. I will buy the dynaspark. I sent them an email and will wait to see if they have any in stock. If I put the OEM back in I will always have that doubt weather driving hard or washing the car that it could happen again. Well I have to go push it out of the way to get the tahoe out now.

 

Well when I went to push the car into the carport I couldn't stand it and tried to crank it. It cranked up fine like normal and coasted into the carport. Let it run for a minute and turned it off. Checked the code and still showing 36. I don't guess there's no such thing as letting it dry out? I haven't driven the Tahoe since December and I feel like I'm driving Grandpa's ride. Gas drinking Merchant & Farmer.