optispark system flaw??

walter j walewski · 09-24-07, 12:04 AM

Ok guys can i get some information on the optispark system on my 1995 C4[also have a C5 for clarity ] some guy wants to buy the car,but he tells me gm placed an h2o system over the ingntion and when it goes bad so does the ignition at a cost of 1500.00 then he tells me Eklers has a kit to fix this problem, any truth to this ? thanks guys. damn its getting harder and harder to sell a used corvette these days everyone wants a million mile warrenty Walt

D95 · 09-24-07, 02:45 AM

I have a 95. I did not have to replace the opti but I did because I replaced the water pump wires etc. The 95 and 96 were the best opti because they were vented. The prior years were not.I have never heard of this "h2o" system. The car is 12 years old and no problems with your ignition. You should not get the opti wet but as I previously stated the opti is vented so there is less of a chance of screwing up due to moisture. Maybe someone else can chime in about this "h2o system ? good luck

DarkShark · 09-24-07, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walter j walewski

Ok guys can i get some information on the optispark system on my 1995 C4[also have a C5 for clarity ] some guy wants to buy the car,but he tells me gm placed an h2o system over the ingntion and when it goes bad so does the ignition at a cost of 1500.00 then he tells me Eklers has a kit to fix this problem, any truth to this ? thanks guys. damn its getting harder and harder to sell a used corvette these days everyone wants a million mile warrenty Walt

The Opti-spark distributor is located between the water pump and the timing chain cover. On some cars- not all- there have been some issues with moisture getting inside the Opti-spark unit and creating misfires. The moisture usually comes from coolant that has seeped into the unit during maintenance or thermostat replacement. Other times, it is simply old age.

$1500 sounds a bit high- but then again the dealer is always high. MSD makes a unit that addresses this issue and is much cheaper than a dealer's part. I wouldn't replace a part that fails with another like item when there was a better after market part available.

Sounds like you have had some tire kickers as opposed to serious buyers.

Good luck!

gmjunkie · 09-24-07, 07:02 AM

DarkShark is Correct!! But I guess the problem with the Opti , Depends on your Luck!!! I've owned Several C4's with Opti Spark,but have replaced only one in all the years!!! And that was because I Slapped a Tree with it at about 60 mph, and the Frame Rail,Radiator,Water Pump and Opti met under less than desirable circumstances!!!!

Sunstroked · 09-24-07, 11:05 AM

I haven't had any issues with the opti on my 92. I replaced the cap and rotor with upgraded msd parts that include a vent hose kit. You do have to remove the water pump to get access to the opti unit so I replaced the w/p as a precaution, the original wasn't leaking but the mileage was approaching 100k. Sounds like an educated buyer, but he also sounds like he's trying to get you down on the price. W/p was under $200. The upgraded cap & rotor are under $200 but the whole new msd spark unit will cost about $500. If you see any evidence of coolant leak from the w/p then you might have a problem, if not, the opti unit is probably just fine at this time.

walter j walewski · 09-24-07, 12:53 PM

Thanks guys for your reply on the Opti spark

Walt!!!!!!!

jrzvette · 09-24-07, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walter j walewski

Ok guys can i get some information on the optispark system on my 1995 C4[also have a C5 for clarity ] some guy wants to buy the car,but he tells me gm placed an h2o system over the ingntion and when it goes bad so does the ignition at a cost of 1500.00 then he tells me Eklers has a kit to fix this problem, any truth to this ? thanks guys. damn its getting harder and harder to sell a used corvette these days everyone wants a million mile warrenty Walt

The opti is on the timing chain cover, below the water pump. I guess this is what your prospective buyer means when he says GM placed an h2o system over the opti. And, yes, the most common cause of a failed opti is a leaking water pump since the weep hole in the wp will cause coolent to drip onto the opti.

$1,500 is a bit steep for replacement. MSD makes a very good aftermarket part (much better than OEM) and it costs any where from $400 - $500, depending where you get it. If the opti has to be replaced most C4 owners will also replace the water pump and ignition wires at the same time. This can bring the total cost of parts up another $200 or so. The job should take a good mechanic no more than 4 - 5 hours so at $80/hr you're probably looking at $1,100 to replace all.

abrzycki · 09-24-07, 05:32 PM

I just replace my opti spark on my 95 with the msd setup and they seal the opti spark a lot lot better with some more seals and the car runs great just kinda of a pain to replace

walter j walewski · 09-24-07, 10:16 PM

Thank you Sir Im much wiser now, and understand the optispark and h2o system (waterpump) again thanks Walt!!!!!!!!!

johnvette · 09-26-07, 07:00 AM

When I replaced my unit on my '94 I did this mod. Might as well while you are in there.

http://www.fierolt1.com/lt1_9394OptiRepair.htm

Here is another with the photos from another forum. Click on each photo to get the text associated with each photo

http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/16758/photo_01.html

aboatguy · 09-28-07, 10:25 PM

95 qnd 96 vettes have an entirely different opti than the much maligned 92-94 vette and it is factory vented. So you're car is good to go!

Mike

speedmaster4 · 09-29-07, 01:07 AM

h20 bugger is the oem ''air vent'' on top of the water pump on ''most'' , but not all, lt1's...there to allow purging air and complete charging of cooling with coolant...unless you make up a small ''drain chute'' to direct coolant overflow from the ''air vent'' as full level is approached, the coolant overflows onto the opti, sometimes fatal to the opti.

gotta look close to find the ''air vent'', its slightly off center to the right side, abt the size of a pencil eraser.

compyelc4 · 10-04-07, 08:24 PM

To perhaps clarify.......

Speedmaster4 is referring to the process you might use to purge air from the coolant passages when changing anti-freeze. The purge won't typically leak antifreeze under normal operating conditions.

compyelc4 · 10-04-07, 08:49 PM

I would like to add this advice for those who have the later vented opti:

It is possible for the neoprene vent line (runs from front of intake manifold to opti, and then out of opti to the engine air intake). to be crimped closed if one is not careful when replacing the water pump or the opti itself. I found that a GM dealer allowed the air line to be crimped closed between the rear of the opti and the front of the intake manifold when he reinstalled the water pump after replacing my first opti. The dope reinstalled the old leaking water pump back on top of my new opti. Can you believe this?! This crimp prevented the vent line from purging moisture from the Opti so when the water pump continued to seep the Opti sucked in the moisture, retained it well, and corroded itself all to heck with copper sulfate-looking crap. This is the result of:
1. Moisture intrusion in opti.
2. High voltage arcing around antifreeze vapor in opti.
3. Lack of fresh air circulation due to the pinched off vent line.
4. An idiot or disgruntled Vette technician.

I encourage all vented opti owners to check the vacuum on that line!!! To do this find the intake side of the line. You will find it attached to a grey plastic "L" inserted into the neoprene air intake neck (the black ribbed thingy connected to the rear of the air filter housing;you know!). You will not be able to detect a vacuum with your finger, nor will you hear the vacuum because this vacuum is significantly reduced by a couple of blue/white plastic reverse flow air valves located in line with this vent line. These are to prevent this otherwise full-on engineered vacuum leak from causing... well, a significant vacuum leak (ie-a lean as heck mixture). This sounds like a put-on but it is true: carefully bend over the intake thingy and place the tip of your tongue (no kidding; trust me!) on the end of the vacuum line. After a few seconds you will begin to feel this very light sucking action on your tongue IF the vent system is working correctly. If you feel no vacuum you either have a plugged vent line or you forgot to start the engine dummy. :-)

Gawd, I'd love to see a picture of one of you guys performing this tender-loving act of kindness on your beloved Vette.

H P Bushrod · 10-14-07, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnvette

When I replaced my unit on my '94 I did this mod. Might as well while you are in there.

http://www.fierolt1.com/lt1_9394OptiRepair.htm

Here is another with the photos from another forum. Click on each photo to get the text associated with each photo

http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/16758/photo_01.html

Interesting info. Thanks for sharing.