prolonging opti life
prolonging opti life ive been searching and searching for things to help keep the opti alive before i swap a new one in my car. So far ive read you can take the rotor screw out and tighten it back down with locktite and seal up the weatherpack connector with di-electric grease. has anyone ever used anykind of sealant around the whole opti to try and keep water from getting in?
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: J-VILLE FL
Originally Posted by dsmawd350
ive been searching and searching for things to help keep the opti alive before i swap a new one in my car. So far ive read you can take the rotor screw out and tighten it back down with locktite and seal up the weatherpack connector with di-electric grease. has anyone ever used anykind of sealant around the whole opti to try and keep water from getting in?
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 669
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From: Charlotte, NC
I wouldn't use RTV. If any of it gets on the inside the high energy can heat it. The fumes could in theory harm the optical sensor much like RTV can kill 02 sensors. Even if you use 02 sensor safe RTV I am unsure of the interaction. So I wouldn't realy chance it. There is already a "seal" on the opti case as it is. If you drive smart and keep up with your car you shouldn't have a problem.
I changed my opti at 70K and it looked brand new. I was always carefull, replaced the water pump as soon as I saw it bearly drip once. etc etc.
Something else that can kill an opti is aftermarket coil and CD boxes
I changed my opti at 70K and it looked brand new. I was always carefull, replaced the water pump as soon as I saw it bearly drip once. etc etc.
Something else that can kill an opti is aftermarket coil and CD boxes
Originally Posted by HBHRacing
I wouldn't use RTV. If any of it gets on the inside the high energy can heat it. The fumes could in theory harm the optical sensor much like RTV can kill 02 sensors. Even if you use 02 sensor safe RTV I am unsure of the interaction. So I wouldn't realy chance it. There is already a "seal" on the opti case as it is. If you drive smart and keep up with your car you shouldn't have a problem.
I changed my opti at 70K and it looked brand new. I was always carefull, replaced the water pump as soon as I saw it bearly drip once. etc etc.
Something else that can kill an opti is aftermarket coil and CD boxes
I changed my opti at 70K and it looked brand new. I was always carefull, replaced the water pump as soon as I saw it bearly drip once. etc etc.
Something else that can kill an opti is aftermarket coil and CD boxes
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 669
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From: Charlotte, NC
it's up to you. some people run them fine, others have issues soon after the install. The higher energy seems to do 2 things.
1: more energy and high levels of ozone which can kill the optical sensor
2: more spark energy on the rotor and cap contacts can burn the contacts especialy the rotor. I have see the rotors get so carbon tracked it's not funny.
A lot like in the old HEI ignitions, if you didn't buy a stronger MSD rotor button when you installed the coil it would burn up the button. The same relationship could really be possible with our cars.
1: more energy and high levels of ozone which can kill the optical sensor
2: more spark energy on the rotor and cap contacts can burn the contacts especialy the rotor. I have see the rotors get so carbon tracked it's not funny.
A lot like in the old HEI ignitions, if you didn't buy a stronger MSD rotor button when you installed the coil it would burn up the button. The same relationship could really be possible with our cars.
well i guess its worth a shot. i swear i havent had an opti last over 2 months in my car since i bought it 6 months ago. ive been through 3 so far, but i believe they were used ones pulled off engines out of working cars and put on mine cause i was getting them put on cheap but they only lasted my about 2 months each. so im going with a brand new gm opti this time and want it to last. ill try switching back to a stock coil.
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On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 147
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Opti-crap any high performance coil or box like MSD 6AL will cause more heat than usual to build up in the distributor. and decrease the life of the opti. i have been told that the new cap and rotor kit from MSD is vented if you have 93 or early 94 that is unvented and could help a little. i am on my 4th distributor myself. the only way to guarantee you will not have to replace it again is to go with the Delteq system. it does not replace the opti but works with it. it takes the damage causing high energy out of the opti so the optical sensor is not damaged by that any more. there are lots of other benefits as well. it is well worth the money and i plan on getting one when i get the money. my current and 4th opti is on its way out again. 
check out this link http://www.delteq.com/products.htm
check out this link http://www.delteq.com/products.htm
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Originally Posted by HBHRacing
it's up to you. some people run them fine, others have issues soon after the install. The higher energy seems to do 2 things.
1: more energy and high levels of ozone which can kill the optical sensor
2: more spark energy on the rotor and cap contacts can burn the contacts especialy the rotor. I have see the rotors get so carbon tracked it's not funny.
A lot like in the old HEI ignitions, if you didn't buy a stronger MSD rotor button when you installed the coil it would burn up the button. The same relationship could really be possible with our cars.
1: more energy and high levels of ozone which can kill the optical sensor
2: more spark energy on the rotor and cap contacts can burn the contacts especialy the rotor. I have see the rotors get so carbon tracked it's not funny.
A lot like in the old HEI ignitions, if you didn't buy a stronger MSD rotor button when you installed the coil it would burn up the button. The same relationship could really be possible with our cars.
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 147
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Originally Posted by Ponyhntr
I'm one of the guys that hasn't had a problem with mine. The car has 108,000 on it, and the only reason I had to replace the original is that the coil tower (plug) broke off. I have had the second one on it for 30,000 miles on it with a Crane HI-6 and a LX 92 coil. Never had a problem as of yet.
lucky bastard.
i have heard of poeple not having any problems with the opti. you are one of the few and far between. especially with aftermarket ignition. hope she keeps on keepen on for ya. you have any luck loto numbers too?
Originally Posted by quick93transam
lucky bastard.
i have heard of poeple not having any problems with the opti. you are one of the few and far between. especially with aftermarket ignition. hope she keeps on keepen on for ya. you have any luck loto numbers too?
Actually, I see it going out on my way home from work, just because I said something about it!!
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 574
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From: Chattanoga TN
Originally Posted by quick93transam
lucky bastard.
i have heard of poeple not having any problems with the opti.
Originally Posted by Bandit 1
i think its all hype and people not knowing how to work on their own cars.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 669
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From: Charlotte, NC
exactly. It is far far far from hype. It's not just modded cars that have opti issues. If it was you would never see an LT1 driven by some lady come into a shop with a bad opti. You do, often actualy see just that. totaly stock cars with opti failures are not a myth.
A majority of the opti failures result in the unvented versions. Not to mention people getting coolant inside of them because as well all know as much as you think it is the opti is not a sealed unit. Moisture/coolant can enter through the weatherpack connection and wreak havoc. Coolant doesn't evaporate as fast as water does so when you get coolant in the opti it stays for a much longer period spelling doom.. I know lots of people who power wash the crap out of their engines including the opti. (vented) After a few years it's still fine and working
matt
matt
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2005
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Opti-crap
Originally Posted by Ponyhntr
Haha, that's about the only thing that I have had good luck with....I'm not a very lucky guy otherwise!!
Actually, I see it going out on my way home from work, just because I said something about it!!
Actually, I see it going out on my way home from work, just because I said something about it!!
Launching!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: Norfolk, VA
So does the Delteq system replace the cap and rotor completely? I'm on the verge of ordering an entire new ignition for my Formula including a new AC Delco Opti, MSD Blaster coil, and a MSD 6AL. If the Delteq would replace the cap and rotor and end up being around the same price then I might as well go with that.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 669
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From: Charlotte, NC
you need a working optical sensor. But the cap and rotor can be trashed since it's not used. The optical sensor fires the remotly mounted coils instead of one coil fireing through the opti.