The $550.00 Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
From: Radford Virginia
The $550.00 Question
I have a 92 coupe, that has 35'000 miles on the clock, I noticed recently that I had a small amount of oil coming from the front of the engine and trailing back under the car, leaving a coating on the oil pan. I could tell it was not coming from intake manifold (replaced it last year) but traced it back to the front of the motor. Today I could not take it any longer and removed the water pump and opti, to find that the timing cover bolts were just a bit over finger tight
and the oil seal where the opti connects had been leaking. I really hated to do that, but have never seen an oil leak that fixed it's self.
The question is this, the car runs great and have not had any problems with it, other than listed above, I know that I have to replace the oil seals and timing cover gasket, but would any of you replace the opti and water pump as well on a car that is running great and only has 34'000.
and the oil seal where the opti connects had been leaking. I really hated to do that, but have never seen an oil leak that fixed it's self. The question is this, the car runs great and have not had any problems with it, other than listed above, I know that I have to replace the oil seals and timing cover gasket, but would any of you replace the opti and water pump as well on a car that is running great and only has 34'000.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
I have a 92 coupe, that has 35'000 miles on the clock, I noticed recently that I had a small amount of oil coming from the front of the engine and trailing back under the car, leaving a coating on the oil pan. I could tell it was not coming from intake manifold (replaced it last year) but traced it back to the front of the motor. Today I could not take it any longer and removed the water pump and opti, to find that the timing cover bolts were just a bit over finger tight and the oil seal where the opti connects had been leaking. I really hated to do that, but have never seen an oil leak that fixed it's self.
The question is this, the car runs great and have not had any problems with it, other than listed above, I know that I have to replace the oil seals and timing cover gasket, but would any of you replace the opti and water pump as well on a car that is running great and only has 34'000.
and the oil seal where the opti connects had been leaking. I really hated to do that, but have never seen an oil leak that fixed it's self. The question is this, the car runs great and have not had any problems with it, other than listed above, I know that I have to replace the oil seals and timing cover gasket, but would any of you replace the opti and water pump as well on a car that is running great and only has 34'000.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 86
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Wow, I've been through 2 water pumps and three optis in my 27k 94. I would check the water pump's weep hole for seepage, if it is clean I would reuse. Would also reuse the opti if the car is running fine.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: Cypress TX
Water pump: if the pump is not showing any signs of leakage from its rear bearing, then definitely re-install your original and put her back on the road. These pumps will last 100K miles or more if the cooling system gets regular maintenance.
Opti: While you are in there, you might want to change it out for the newer opti design (or aftermarket from Accel or MSD), especially if you are not the original owner of the car. The early opti units had a design flaw that caused condensation to build up inside. Many were replaced through a GM recall program, but if you are not sure that yours has been replaced, now would be a good time to do it. Unfortunately, these distributors are expensive.
Good luck!
Chris
Opti: While you are in there, you might want to change it out for the newer opti design (or aftermarket from Accel or MSD), especially if you are not the original owner of the car. The early opti units had a design flaw that caused condensation to build up inside. Many were replaced through a GM recall program, but if you are not sure that yours has been replaced, now would be a good time to do it. Unfortunately, these distributors are expensive.
Good luck!
Chris
