LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Running rough? Opti? maybe?

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Old Jan 22, 2011 | 05:16 PM
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Default Running rough? Opti? maybe?

alright, i finally got my brake lights working and finally drove the car again. now the car is stuttering and hesitates. Its real slow and has a slightly rough idle. rpms flutter a bit at idle and a very little bit at cruising speed. i noticed i had a bit of water under my car a couple times. I'm almost sure that it was the opti. but im not 100% sure. what do you guys think? what exactly happens when an opti goes bad? it is the original opti i beleive. Lemme hear your expertice guys!
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Old Jan 22, 2011 | 05:43 PM
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the question is... is the water pump or a hose leaking on the opti. Your not going to get water from the opti something else is leaking and effecting it.
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Old Jan 22, 2011 | 06:29 PM
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yes im aware i wouldnt leak from the opti i beleive its from the water pump so thats why im pretty sure.
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Old Jan 22, 2011 | 08:55 PM
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opti disease has a lot of symptoms.

In my case, I noticed a code 16 on my Scanmaster when casually checking it, but had no Check Engine Light (Change Opti Light). I didn't notice anything, the car ran fine.

Then one day, a few weeks later, the car quit abruptly while turning at an intersection. Luckily I coasted out of traffic. It refused to restart. Just stone cold dead.

But many guys report bad idle, misfires, and other stuff.

If you can scan for codes, that may help. But water pump leaks seem to be the most common cause of "Opti Death".

If you are seeing puddles of coolant, and think it may be coming from the water pump. Start collecting the necessary parts.....

Bob
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Old Jan 22, 2011 | 09:11 PM
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Check the cheap/free stuff first
Have the local auto parts store check your ICM
Space the coil/ICM off the head
Check plugs and wires - with the engine running at night with no lights look for fireworks under the hood
Have you deleted the egr/air systems? Bad egr will cause rough running

are you throwing any codes?
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Old Jan 22, 2011 | 11:54 PM
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I am deffinatly throwing codes but my surpentine belt exploded messed up some wire and fixed it all and never went away. its still on and i have many harsh starts every day.
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Old Jan 23, 2011 | 11:43 AM
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which codes is it setting?
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Old Jan 23, 2011 | 12:24 PM
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I in the past have had a hose leaking on the opti car ran rough fixed the hose and the opti was fine ran the car with that opti for another 20k miles. If you are experiencing a water pump problem I would not want to find out the opti is bad after the fact.
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