Snoozer

How do you know when the optispark is going bad? Are there early signs of it starting to fail?

kimmer

Mine went out with no warning, real bummer.

higgyburners

Mine started missing from the water pump leaking on it, replaced both and 1 year later replaced the water pump again. This time I caught it before there was any damage to the Opti Spark, I also installed a hose on the water pump this time to reroute any leaks away from the Opti.

1993 Z07

Snoozer sorry to hear about your possible opti spark problem. I have had some problems in the past from the opti taking a direct hit with an undercarriage spray at a car wash. that started with the car missing and then completely dying. I've seen cheap remanufactured opti sparks fail when installed on a high horse power application. This also started with the car misfiring then completely dying. Petris seems to make a good replacement opti.

desertmike1

Oh you'll know.. Consider things like; age/milage, general condition, vented/non-vented etc. But I think the Biggest Question is; What do I buy to replace it with? Our Options are Limited at best with the Questionable Quility of the replacements.

Another Option would be to inspect what you have for things like oil, grime, internal corrosion, arching and such. At least at this point you will have a better understanding of what you have, and you can make an informed decision..

tenaus

Couple weeks ago my 94 c4 started skipping sporadically. Then started running fine again. This weekend started skipping again. Have 116,000 miles. I assume the opti is going as I think it's the original one. Thinking of buying a petris. Whats the best water pump to buy as I will replace that at the same time?

1993 Z07

I have an electric water pump. Meziere has the best water pump on the market in my opinion. The Meziere weighs 1.6lbs heavier than some inferior brands. The reason for that is the electric motor is that much bigger. It also draws more amps. I know this from using another brand in the past. The other brand did last several years to give it credit. The electric water pumps will give you better cooling AND a little more horsepower. 5 to 10 hp more than your original mechanical set up. The part number for the Meziere through summit is WP118HD $268.09 and free shipping. You can check eBay also and maybe get it a few bucks cheaper. Good luck!!

Snoozer

Thanks for all the help on this. Now I have some idea what to check out.

1993 Z07

Tenaus maybe I should have provided more detail. This is a pretty big job and I don't know your skill level. This conversion would involve removing the timing cover to remove the water pump gear drive. This results in having to "seal" a hole in the timing cover. A do it yourself fix is to put a quarter in the timing cover hole then put the seal over the top of the quarter then silicon both sides. Your other option is to take it to someone that can weld aluminum to weld it closed.The conversion job would also involve installing a relay to provide power to the water pump. I love my Meziere electric water pump.

tenaus

Did major work on cars in my younger years, now try to do the least possible. Will probably do this myself but I will stick with the factory setup for the water pump. Thanks for the info though.

desertmike1

I think this is the route I would take..

robbys65

My C4 1994 two years ago sometime started skipping with only Km 58000.
There was a little water leak from the pump and the optispark go bad like my english !!!
I have changed water pump and opti with OEM parts. ROBERT