Ghaaaa Optispark!!!
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On The Tree
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Upstate New York
Ghaaaa Optispark!!! So i'm 25 mile from home today when my optispark decides to retire from active duty. I would drive 2 miles then my tach would go crazy and the engine would sputter and die. Then i would swear at it 
and put it in neutral and coast as far as i could go, pull over for 5 mins then start it up again and wait for the engine to die 2 miles later so i could repeat the process. The ninth time it died was in front of my favorite mechanics shop, so i talked to him and he recommended i use black silicone on both sides of the water pump gasket to prevent leaking on the opti. It died the tenth time as I pulled into my garage at home. I made it!
This is the second time I've been stuck with a dying opti. Two years ago it only died 5 times on the way home from a 15 mile drive. At least i got it home so i can fix it myself. I'm glad it was fine during my 600 mile trip from Albany to Buffalo NY and back last week.
Is it normal to replace these things every 2 years? My water pump doesn't noticeably leak on it and i'm careful not to soak it in the car wash or anything. The first one i replaced at 110,xxx miles with a used OEM one, which i'll now be replacing with another used OEM one with 30,xxx miles (I keep a spare).
Any recommendations? I don't want to deal with this a third time...
and put it in neutral and coast as far as i could go, pull over for 5 mins then start it up again and wait for the engine to die 2 miles later so i could repeat the process. The ninth time it died was in front of my favorite mechanics shop, so i talked to him and he recommended i use black silicone on both sides of the water pump gasket to prevent leaking on the opti. It died the tenth time as I pulled into my garage at home. I made it!This is the second time I've been stuck with a dying opti. Two years ago it only died 5 times on the way home from a 15 mile drive. At least i got it home so i can fix it myself. I'm glad it was fine during my 600 mile trip from Albany to Buffalo NY and back last week.
Is it normal to replace these things every 2 years? My water pump doesn't noticeably leak on it and i'm careful not to soak it in the car wash or anything. The first one i replaced at 110,xxx miles with a used OEM one, which i'll now be replacing with another used OEM one with 30,xxx miles (I keep a spare).
Any recommendations? I don't want to deal with this a third time...
I recommend making the investment in either the EFIConnections 24x system or an LS1 car.
Opti problems must be getting old with you and as fewer people need Opti's, the only source will be cheep imported junk.
If I still had a LT1 car today, it'd have the 24x system in it.
Opti problems must be getting old with you and as fewer people need Opti's, the only source will be cheep imported junk.
If I still had a LT1 car today, it'd have the 24x system in it.
^He's right. I, too had my share of the troublesome opti. So I'm finally converting to the EFI24X coil per plug/LS pcm. Just waiting on my stuff from EFI Connection. No more optispark and this LT1 will be spinning to the moon,lol.
There are many factors as to why an opti goes bad. The two that I have had (one on each car) lasted over 500k combined. I just replaced one with a NEW Delphii unit and I expect to get the same out of it.
They dont just go out. When/if you take that one off tear it down and you will see what killed it inside.
I take mine apart and then seal them with "The Right Stuff". I also use loctite on the threads of the rotor button. After doing this, the only potential way the opti can be penetrated is through the connector on top.
They dont just go out. When/if you take that one off tear it down and you will see what killed it inside.
I take mine apart and then seal them with "The Right Stuff". I also use loctite on the threads of the rotor button. After doing this, the only potential way the opti can be penetrated is through the connector on top.
So i'm 25 mile from home today when my optispark decides to retire from active duty. I would drive 2 miles then my tach would go crazy and the engine would sputter and die. Then i would swear at it and put it in neutral and coast as far as i could go, pull over for 5 mins then start it up again and wait for the engine to die 2 miles later so i could repeat the process. The ninth time it died was in front of my favorite mechanics shop, so i talked to him and he recommended i use black silicone on both sides of the water pump gasket to prevent leaking on the opti. It died the tenth time as I pulled into my garage at home. I made it!
This is the second time I've been stuck with a dying opti. Two years ago it only died 5 times on the way home from a 15 mile drive. At least i got it home so i can fix it myself. I'm glad it was fine during my 600 mile trip from Albany to Buffalo NY and back last week.
Is it normal to replace these things every 2 years? My water pump doesn't noticeably leak on it and i'm careful not to soak it in the car wash or anything. The first one i replaced at 110,xxx miles with a used OEM one, which i'll now be replacing with another used OEM one with 30,xxx miles (I keep a spare).
Any recommendations? I don't want to deal with this a third time...
and put it in neutral and coast as far as i could go, pull over for 5 mins then start it up again and wait for the engine to die 2 miles later so i could repeat the process. The ninth time it died was in front of my favorite mechanics shop, so i talked to him and he recommended i use black silicone on both sides of the water pump gasket to prevent leaking on the opti. It died the tenth time as I pulled into my garage at home. I made it!This is the second time I've been stuck with a dying opti. Two years ago it only died 5 times on the way home from a 15 mile drive. At least i got it home so i can fix it myself. I'm glad it was fine during my 600 mile trip from Albany to Buffalo NY and back last week.
Is it normal to replace these things every 2 years? My water pump doesn't noticeably leak on it and i'm careful not to soak it in the car wash or anything. The first one i replaced at 110,xxx miles with a used OEM one, which i'll now be replacing with another used OEM one with 30,xxx miles (I keep a spare).
Any recommendations? I don't want to deal with this a third time...
and expecting different results... . Stop putting used Optis on your car . Buy a NEW GM or
NEW MSD Opti . Makes sure to use Blue Loctite on the rotor screws as well .
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On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 112
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From: Gilroy, CA
x2 this is definitely not a good idea, used optis. GM and MSD are a bit expensive though. I put a brand new Chandler in mine about 2000 miles ago and it is currently running fine.
As stated, this doesn't sound like an opti problem or maybe even ignition related. I would first check your fuel pressure when the car acts up to see what's going on.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 191
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From: Upstate New York
I'll do some tests to confirm it's the opti but it's showing the exact same symptoms as when the last one went, like an erratic tachometer suggesting an incorrect optical sensor.
I started this thread to explore my options, like getting the EFI 24x system, but i don't know if it is a good idea to invest an ~$800 ignition system into an old LT1 (122k untouched). I won't be doing a rebuild until I'm out of college at least.
When i replaced the 1st opti the general opinion on this site was that an OEM one was better than an Ebay/Chandler unit but i guess more people have those now and maybe the're worth putting on. Before I thought i'd save $300 and take my chances with a used OEM one. Now I'm looking at the Autozone/Cardone or Accel ones.
You aren't saving anything by using a cheap unit that WILL tear up in short order. If you install a delphii/delco unit you should be good to go for at least 100k miles as that is what they are R&R to last for at minimum. If they arent lasting that long then something is happening.... go to ebay and enter delphii optispark and you should see the ones to get.
I'm happy for you and your success.
I'll do some tests to confirm it's the opti but it's showing the exact same symptoms as when the last one went, like an erratic tachometer suggesting an incorrect optical sensor.
I started this thread to explore my options, like getting the EFI 24x system, but i don't know if it is a good idea to invest an ~$800 ignition system into an old LT1 (122k untouched). I won't be doing a rebuild until I'm out of college at least.
When i replaced the 1st opti the general opinion on this site was that an OEM one was better than an Ebay/Chandler unit but i guess more people have those now and maybe the're worth putting on. Before I thought i'd save $300 and take my chances with a used OEM one. Now I'm looking at the Autozone/Cardone or Accel ones.
I'll do some tests to confirm it's the opti but it's showing the exact same symptoms as when the last one went, like an erratic tachometer suggesting an incorrect optical sensor.
I started this thread to explore my options, like getting the EFI 24x system, but i don't know if it is a good idea to invest an ~$800 ignition system into an old LT1 (122k untouched). I won't be doing a rebuild until I'm out of college at least.
When i replaced the 1st opti the general opinion on this site was that an OEM one was better than an Ebay/Chandler unit but i guess more people have those now and maybe the're worth putting on. Before I thought i'd save $300 and take my chances with a used OEM one. Now I'm looking at the Autozone/Cardone or Accel ones.
