New Opti, no start
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Winona Mo.
New Opti, no start
You Guys have heard this one before, I got my new Opti in; when I tried to start it, I got a couple of backfires but no start. I know the plug wires are on correctly, they were still marked from some previous Opti replacement. There are no codes other than 12 showing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 785
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From: Richmond Virginia
Assuming it was running before the opti replacement--were you able to "seat" the new opti against the the timing cover all the way using hand pressure only ? If you used the bolts to pull the opti dist against the cover you may have forced it on wrong.The opti being installed wrong or plug wires incorrect are the first two things which come to mind.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 785
Likes: 3
From: Richmond Virginia
--you should be ok. They can be damaged however if you use the bolts to pull the opti tight.
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From: Winona Mo.
I wasn't sure but it had a code 16 and it I had only owned it a month swo I jumped to the conclusion. It originally died with my daughter driving. When I got there, it would start and run a few seconds. After a few minutes it started and I drove it home. Later that evening it started fine again to put it in the garage. Yesterday I had to move cars around to get it on the lift and it started and ran fine again. Now that I have the new opti on, it won't start at all and does have spark. I'm wondering if there is something else wrong. It's full of gas and has pressure at the fuel rail. The pump comes on when the key is turned and runs a few seconds as it should.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
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From: Apple Valley MN
With all the backfiring, I thought it could be something like a slipped timing chain, but if it wasn't doing that before, that can't be it. Maybe your new opti is no good. It could be that your fuel pump or something is going, rather than anything with your old opti. Maybe take the ICM in to be tested, too.
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From: Winona Mo.
The service manual says to check the injectors next, since I have spark at the plugs. I just can't believe the injectors would suddenly go completely dead at the same time I put on the new Opti. The only way I know to be sure is pull the new one off and put the old one back on. Does anybody have any better ideas?
I still believe it's in the timing due to the back fire. I don't know how the Opti works to affect timing but if it's getting spark and fuel, timing is the only other thing.
I still believe it's in the timing due to the back fire. I don't know how the Opti works to affect timing but if it's getting spark and fuel, timing is the only other thing.
Last edited by Saubrenner; Jun 4, 2011 at 08:03 AM. Reason: added info
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 785
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From: Richmond Virginia
The service manual says to check the injectors next, since I have spark at the plugs. I just can't believe the injectors would suddenly go completely dead at the same time I put on the new Opti. The only way I know to be sure is pull the new one off and put the old one back on. Does anybody have any better ideas?
I still believe it's in the timing due to the back fire. I don't know how the Opti works to affect timing but if it's getting spark and fuel, timing is the only other thing.
I still believe it's in the timing due to the back fire. I don't know how the Opti works to affect timing but if it's getting spark and fuel, timing is the only other thing.
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From: Winona Mo.
I just looked real close at the old Opti driveshaft and saw the spline drive with the master spline. This looks to me to be the most logical thing I could have screwed up. I think I'll start over again. Is it possible that the new Opti isn't damaged and is still usable?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
Opti should be OK.
Once you get the opti realigned, start the car before you reinstall the water pump and refill the coolant. It won't hurt to run the car for a brief period, and it may save you from another teardown.
Once you get the opti realigned, start the car before you reinstall the water pump and refill the coolant. It won't hurt to run the car for a brief period, and it may save you from another teardown.
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From: Winona Mo.
I guess my next course of action will be to do it again and be more careful. It's going to be 1000 degrees today, so it'll take awhile. I hope to have good news tomorrow, unless I run into more problems and have ask youn's advice again.
I sure am glad you added the part about starting it with the water pump off, I was wondering that.
I sure am glad you added the part about starting it with the water pump off, I was wondering that.
Last edited by Saubrenner; Jun 4, 2011 at 09:02 AM. Reason: added a line
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 785
Likes: 3
From: Richmond Virginia
I just looked real close at the old Opti driveshaft and saw the spline drive with the master spline. This looks to me to be the most logical thing I could have screwed up. I think I'll start over again. Is it possible that the new Opti isn't damaged and is still usable?