Optispark
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Red Oak TX
Optispark
I was driving home from work and got stuck in a bad storm on the freeway. I hit a big puddle of water and the car started jerking when i gave it gas it did this for about 30-50 sec then stop. Did i hurt the optispark?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Orlando FL
That’s a hard question to answer accurately. Your assuming it was the opti but maybe problem could be another source. Hot coil wire could ark out at either end with excess moisture. The opti is pretty well shielded in there and you would need an huge amount of water coming in. However worse case for the opti would me carbon tracking in the cap causing a permanent effect.
There is not way to tell the health of the cap but if it is running normal now I would leave it along. If something in the future develops handle it then.
There is not way to tell the health of the cap but if it is running normal now I would leave it along. If something in the future develops handle it then.
Team Owner
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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What year Vette? Early Optis on 1992 and '93 models were unventilated and most susceptible to moisture intrusion. Later models had a vacuum line designed to suck moisture out of the unit using intake pressure.
Team Owner
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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That happened to me with my 92 Vert. Yes, the opti took a bath. I remember, the Vert started a minute later.
Is your Vett back to normal?
Is your Vett back to normal?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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From: Red Oak TX
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 40
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From: Red Oak TX
Melting Slicks
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From: Austin Texas
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Do you have more than 60,000 miles on your O.E.M. Packard coil and plug wires? If so, I'd consider swapping them out for a new set. Old wires are susceptible to electrical shorts when they get wet due to the loss of their insulation properties.
You can order the looms and wire holders, too, online from Mid-America Motorworks (MAM).
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: PA NJ
I know this is a 93, but I want to share this because it's somewhat related. I had a problem with my 95, the vented opti, where the vacuum line was rubbing up on one of the pulleys which wore a massive opening in the line. When I replaced the opti, shortly after for the above symptoms, there was a ton of moisture in there and plenty of carbon tracking. There is a TSB with the fix for this. I wound up getting the recommended bracket and new vacuum lines and all has been fine ever since, even with 2 water pumps pissing all over them.
