Yes! Yes! another optispark question?
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Pro
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Dallas Texas
Yes! Yes! another optispark question?
Can the Optispark go out with out any warning. I had one replaced already about 1 1/2 years ago but before it went out my car was running very hot and hessitating real bad. :crazy:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Houston, Texas FEAR THE BONES
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Re: Yes! Yes! another optispark question? (ENNIS POWELL)
I'm sure its possible for an Opti to go without any advance warning, but usually it will be a slow death, with symptoms increasing in regularity and severity until it just plain quits. Is your car dead all of a sudden?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
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From: Puyallup Washington
Re: Yes! Yes! another optispark question? (ENNIS POWELL)
Mine started out with just an occaisional miss at idle, the tach would also jump. It got worse with hot weather, untill it ran so bad (missing at all speeds with pinging) that I finaly fixed it. Not a big deal, just expensive. I also added the 95 and up vent kit from GM. Hopefully I won't have to do it again. I have read of others trying to add a drain tube to the waterpump. I thought of drilling the drain to a larger size and gluing in a plastic drain tube. Well, maybe the next time I get bored?
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
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From: Edmond Oklahoma
Re: Yes! Yes! another optispark question? (moffitt)
Heck, Just plumb the drain back to the coolant overflow tank and you'll have a closed system.
That or replace with an electric pump.
Mark [IMG][/IMG] :chevy
That or replace with an electric pump.
Mark [IMG][/IMG] :chevy
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 176
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From: Villa Ridge, Missouri
Re: Yes! Yes! another optispark question? (ENNIS POWELL)
Yep, that is what I thought would happen. I have read or heard that it would go out with out those performance warnings. :eek:
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Re: Yes! Yes! another optispark question? (moffitt)
I think you'd be better off using a metal drainage tube as opposed to a plastic one. I don't believe most plastics could take the engine compartment and water pump temps for very long....
Team Owner
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Re: Yes! Yes! another optispark question? (vanduker)
You're talking about the water pump weep hole, right?
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Burning Brakes
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From: Andover MA
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Re: Yes! Yes! another optispark question? (onedef92)
According to Gordon Killebrew at the Carlisle show, DO NOT EVER USE THE TAP ON THE WATERPUMP TO DRAIN YOUR COOLANT!!! It is located directly over the optispark will surely blow your pre-95 unit. My optispark gradually went over a period of 3 days. It started while traveling down the highway at about 70 mph... stumbling, backfiring, bogging down... the works. At first, it would only act up when the car was hot. Don't wait too long though, it'll leave you stranded at some point. I also changed the waterpump and crank seals while I was at it. Check out the forum, there's a guy selling a new optispark for a '94 for $275.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=132942
That's a great price. If you want new, you must contact Jeff Kopp at Superior Chevrolet.
[Modified by mshipon, 9:57 AM 9/4/2001]
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=132942
That's a great price. If you want new, you must contact Jeff Kopp at Superior Chevrolet.
[Modified by mshipon, 9:57 AM 9/4/2001]
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Work
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Yes! Yes! another optispark question? (ENNIS POWELL)
ENNIS,
If you would, describe for me the symptoms you were having last time (the 1st Opti) as it was failing. I am having similar symtopms and am fearing that the Opti-Spark is failing. Also, could you get the symptoms to occur only during acceleration or could you get them to act up with just throttle (reving)?
Thanks,
Eric
If you would, describe for me the symptoms you were having last time (the 1st Opti) as it was failing. I am having similar symtopms and am fearing that the Opti-Spark is failing. Also, could you get the symptoms to occur only during acceleration or could you get them to act up with just throttle (reving)?
Thanks,
Eric
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From: Sachse Texas
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Re: Yes! Yes! another optispark question? (ENNIS POWELL)
Check to se if you have any codes first. I have had a no start condition but it was actually an electrical connector problem going into the opti throwing a code and shutting off the injectors. If the opti failed, it generally does not set a code.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
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From: Puyallup Washington
Re: Yes! Yes! another optispark question? (onedef92)
DOT approved airbrake tubing (like for semi trucks) will stand most anything. I have seen some car makers use it for fuel lines, I don't think I would though.