100,000 thread about Opti's...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 390
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh PA
100,000 thread about Opti's...
I seem to see conflicting reports on here... so I just wanted verification. Was the opti issue resolved for the 95 and 96 C4's or was it still a get-wet problem? It seems like everyone agrees in the 94 back... but there seems some conflict for 95 and 96.
Thanks,
Jim
Thanks,
Jim
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
The issue never was simply getting them wet. It is a combination of failed seals and wet particularly any liquid that leaves a residue on the lens of the optical sensor.
The 95+ Corvette opti vacuum vent did not solve the problem but greatly reduced it.
The problem is over inflated anyway. One guy, recently, was worked up over the hype to the point he asked about driving in the rain.
It boils down to this no matter the year: If you pressure wash the engine bay do not spray the opti and do not let coolant leaks go unrepaired.
The 95+ Corvette opti vacuum vent did not solve the problem but greatly reduced it.
The problem is over inflated anyway. One guy, recently, was worked up over the hype to the point he asked about driving in the rain.
It boils down to this no matter the year: If you pressure wash the engine bay do not spray the opti and do not let coolant leaks go unrepaired.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Powhatan Virginia
95 & 6s were vented and used engine vacuum to pull moisture out of them so yes-- it was a big improvement --but they still don't like water/coolant/moisture----i replaced mine at around 71K a very slight water pump leak killed it --so slight it had gone unnoticed by the previous owner who was actually pretty **** about maintaining the Vette---some forum members go well over 100K w/no problems---basically none of the optis like getting wet--5 & 6s are the best years BUT not perfect 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Take a look at this disassembled Opti from my '94 with 59K miles. You can see the massive oxidation effect from moisture ingress :
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ight=optispark
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ight=optispark
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Enough is enough with the Opti threads. The only solution to fix an Opti is to replace it. I hope you read this because the Opti is not like a distributor which you can just replace the rotor or the cap or the HID or the plastic gear.
If your Optic is bad, buy a new one and likely, the water pump is next so do yourself a favor and get a new H2O pump with a new thermostat. Use your choice of coolant with distilled water.
If your Optic is bad, buy a new one and likely, the water pump is next so do yourself a favor and get a new H2O pump with a new thermostat. Use your choice of coolant with distilled water.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
I just took a look at one and it looks challenging, though not impossible. Maybe a laser could cut slots where the lines are and the sensor could be a hall effect device.
Last edited by 89er; Aug 21, 2008 at 08:22 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
MSD Opti
I'm still running the stock Opti at 40,000 miles on my 95 coupe so I should be good to go for awhile but let me ask you guys that have gone to the MSD Opti, does the MSD Opti, with it's better construction make the "getting wet" problem of the orginal Opti a thing of the past?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
That is an excellent question, but unfortunately one without an answer as of yet. I have searched, as have others, and the reality is that they have not been out long enough to answer that question. Many have pointed to all of the superior construction features and while that is great, none of that necessarily translates to longer life. It seems that MSD suffered from some initial QC problems and now have that under control and there just needs to be the passage of time to see if they truly have the longevity that the price would dictate. There have been some people on this list with recent problems though. It would be nice if the unit proves to be the virtual end all of opti problems.