Opti Spark Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 360
Likes: 2
From: Double Oak, TX
Opti Spark Question
Are they sealed at all on the 96's? I need to hose down the engine to help narrow down the source of a small oil leak, and I want to know what the chances are of shorting this out. Who else has done this, did you use high pressure, or just a water hose, and did you have any residual problems?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 0
From: Pineville, Louisiana
Re: Opti Spark Question (edwards)
The 96 is supposed to have the vented Opti that helps but I wouldn't spray water directly on it or even close to it :nono: I have heard to many stories about people using high pressure washers and killing the Opti... Its your choice though, but if it was me I would use a wrag with simple green and clean up the oil on the engine the best I could by hand. Then you should be able to spot the oil leak. :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: Opti Spark Question (edwards)
96 has much better seals than the early models. The problem I noticed on mine was that the seal got cooked. It was brown, brittle and had shrunk, i.e. no longer a seal.
I don't know what the material for the later opti is made from so I can't say what heat will do to it, but the design is much better.
If your engine is cold and you don't hit it directly with the stream of water you should be OK. I'd feel safe doing it. A little bit of clean, clear water won't kill it, antifreeze will.
Many on the forum have experienced OPTI after-shock (Oh, Shett:eek: ) after getting them wet. After letting them dry out, normal operation resumes.
I don't know what the material for the later opti is made from so I can't say what heat will do to it, but the design is much better.
If your engine is cold and you don't hit it directly with the stream of water you should be OK. I'd feel safe doing it. A little bit of clean, clear water won't kill it, antifreeze will.
Many on the forum have experienced OPTI after-shock (Oh, Shett:eek: ) after getting them wet. After letting them dry out, normal operation resumes.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Michigan City in
Re: Opti Spark Question (John Row)
every time I go to the car wash I pop the hood and spray down the engine. I've replaced the optispark one time at 85000mi. now I have 93000 no problems with opti ever getting wet. Only problem I have leaving the car wash is wet tires. I can't keep the car straight
