Is Opti Bad?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 49
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From: Stuttgart
Is Opti Bad?
I am reposting this question from my other thread...just so its nice and simple to read.
In my other post I described how a spark plug and spark plug wires change has lead to back fire problems and the steps I went through to figure it out.
I have done all I can think off to figure out what the problem is -
Here is where I stand. By running the codes I have narrowed down cylinder two is not firing at all and 7 is firing intermitently. On Plug 2 I have changed plugs with a known good plug and I have changed wires with a known good wire and each time number two does not fire...
Could it be anything else but the Opti?
Thanks for your time and expertise
In my other post I described how a spark plug and spark plug wires change has lead to back fire problems and the steps I went through to figure it out.
I have done all I can think off to figure out what the problem is -
Here is where I stand. By running the codes I have narrowed down cylinder two is not firing at all and 7 is firing intermitently. On Plug 2 I have changed plugs with a known good plug and I have changed wires with a known good wire and each time number two does not fire...
Could it be anything else but the Opti?
Thanks for your time and expertise
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,799
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
If you've got no spark and you've tried known good wires, it's a good bet your Opti cap is toast... AS the previous poster said, it's a good bet the Opti itself isn't far behind. FWIW, I have the MSD Optis and Opti cap/rotor kits... PM me for your forum pricing.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Originally Posted by bogus
on the Opti, it would be one helluva trick.
The wires are parsed, odds and evens on opposite sides. It would take a lot of effort, and an extra long wire, to pull it off.
The wires are parsed, odds and evens on opposite sides. It would take a lot of effort, and an extra long wire, to pull it off.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 49
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From: Stuttgart
Okay let me ask you this question...Is there any validity to blowing compressed air into the intake portion of the Opti vent, in hopes of blowing debree out? Read it on Mike Chaneys Optispark Disection page
http://www.charm.net/~mchaney/optisprk/optisprk.htm
This problem did not happen till after a spark plug and wire change, so I am wondering if I knocked some dirt or grime loose and this might just blow it out (wishful thinking)
http://www.charm.net/~mchaney/optisprk/optisprk.htm
This problem did not happen till after a spark plug and wire change, so I am wondering if I knocked some dirt or grime loose and this might just blow it out (wishful thinking)
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,799
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
Originally Posted by meffordg
Okay let me ask you this question...Is there any validity to blowing compressed air into the intake portion of the Opti vent, in hopes of blowing debree out? Read it on Mike Chaneys Optispark Disection page
http://www.charm.net/~mchaney/optisprk/optisprk.htm
This problem did not happen till after a spark plug and wire change, so I am wondering if I knocked some dirt or grime loose and this might just blow it out (wishful thinking)
http://www.charm.net/~mchaney/optisprk/optisprk.htm
This problem did not happen till after a spark plug and wire change, so I am wondering if I knocked some dirt or grime loose and this might just blow it out (wishful thinking)
Hope this helps you!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Originally Posted by meffordg
Okay let me ask you this question...Is there any validity to blowing compressed air into the intake portion of the Opti vent, in hopes of blowing debree out? Read it on Mike Chaneys Optispark Disection page
http://www.charm.net/~mchaney/optisprk/optisprk.htm
This problem did not happen till after a spark plug and wire change, so I am wondering if I knocked some dirt or grime loose and this might just blow it out (wishful thinking)
http://www.charm.net/~mchaney/optisprk/optisprk.htm
This problem did not happen till after a spark plug and wire change, so I am wondering if I knocked some dirt or grime loose and this might just blow it out (wishful thinking)
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by toptechx6
I see that after looking at the earlier post which has the cap diagram. Since 7 & 2 are adjacent in the firing order it does seem possible it could be an internal cap problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by toptechx6
I definitely agree with your thinking about it occuring after the plug and wire change but doubt you could do anything to the inside of the Opti and would not try the trick with the vent. Since it looks like you had some cracked plugs I'd be giving them a very careful inspection before jumping inside the distributor. The suggestion to check the cap for corrosion where the wires plug in is a good one, I always believe in rechecking recent work before imagining freak coincidence, best of luck.
If that is the case, all the visual inspection in the world won't help.
Just drop the coin and get a new opti, complete.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Question: if it is the Opti, would it be less expensive (and cost-effective based on miles, time-in-service) to replace the cap and rotor, or to replace the entire Opti?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Originally Posted by bogus
I wonder if the material the cap is made from hasn't broken internally... what is that, bakelite still?
If that is the case, all the visual inspection in the world won't help.
Just drop the coin and get a new opti, complete.
If that is the case, all the visual inspection in the world won't help.
Just drop the coin and get a new opti, complete.
Oops, looking back I see he did swap plugs, sure seems like the cap and agree if you do that you might as well go for the gusto.
Last edited by toptechx6; Sep 6, 2006 at 06:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Stuttgart
I was able to get a small screwdriver with a test light in it...when I place the the screwdriver in number 2 socket I can tell there is electicity running through it, but very low...I placed the screwdriver in plug 4 and its twice as bright.
So if there is weak spark going into number 2, could this mean its something else besides the Opti or am I just being wishful in my thinking?
So if there is weak spark going into number 2, could this mean its something else besides the Opti or am I just being wishful in my thinking?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,596
Likes: 19
From: Portland Oregon
Originally Posted by meffordg
I was able to get a small screwdriver with a test light in it...when I place the the screwdriver in number 2 socket I can tell there is electicity running through it, but very low...I placed the screwdriver in plug 4 and its twice as bright.
So if there is weak spark going into number 2, could this mean its something else besides the Opti or am I just being wishful in my thinking?
So if there is weak spark going into number 2, could this mean its something else besides the Opti or am I just being wishful in my thinking?
