OptiSpark & Water pump?

[1995 RedVette]

I have a 95 Vett that has just rolled 100,000 on the clock. As I understand the LT-1's had some issues with the water pump leaking and also water getting inside the optispark unit. My question: is there any way to really tell if either of these units have been replaced? Secondly, what is the expected life of these parts? I have heard from 60,000 miles to 90,000. Or is this just really not that big of a deal? The car runs fine, I've only driven it in the rain once, ( I try to avoid it if at all possible) and had no hard starting problems then. Any suggestions?

Brett

 

[Tuna]

My OptiSpark and water pump were still doing fine at 103,000 miles when I had the motor tweaked for more HP.

A friend had his water pump go bad after only 12,000 miles.

May be something to do with the way the cars were operated. I drive mine daily now and used it a lot early in life. My friend put barely 3000 a year on his.

BTW, your 95 came equipped with the latest vented version of the OptiSpark also. So, it sounds like you really don't have anything to worry about. As long as you are looking for little things like spots under the car or slow loss of coolant, you probably need not worry.

 

[rebuild 68]

Mine just went on my '93 with 73K. Dealer banged me for $2,300.

 

[bossvette]

My water pump went on my wifes 96 Impala SS at 100,012 I was fortunate that the optispark wasn't damaged as it went all of a sudden and coolant was everywhere.

 

[garycr14]

On my "94" the optispark died at 64k, the guy that sold it to me steam cleaned it, and killed it, but didn't replace the water pump, why he did not I would guess was to save $100. The water pump started to fail at 80K, it was caught while having the front seal relaced or I would have probably had to replace the opti a second time. I would keep a close watch for any moisture, although if you have to replace the pump you may as well replace the optispark, and this will be a good time to change the spark plug wires as well. Start saving those pennies now!

 

[1995 RedVette]

I do thank all of you. These are the same type of things I have heard from local guys. Is there anyway to check to condition of the Opti-Spark? I rarely drive the car in the rain (twice since I've had it), and the times I have, I had no indication of anything amiss. Any suggestions?

Brett

 

[Tuna]

Driving in the rain isn't going to cause you any problems unless you are getting spray and splash up on the Opti. Not likely unless the splash guards are all removed.

The water related problems occur if you wash the motor (especially when hot) or if the water pump seals go south.

The vented Opti's have a vacuum line hookup on the bottom that is supposed to 'suck' out any moisture that gets in there before it becomes a problem. It seems to work great for high humidity areas but it doesn't help as much as it should if you pour water/coolant all over it.

I had one issue with moisture that caused me some concern and it wasn't from washing or coolant leaking. I was living in Galveston County, TX at the time and the temperature dropped to 35-40 degrees for about 4 days. During that time, the ol 92 just sat in the garage but it cold soaked the whole time. When I went out to drive it, everything metal in the garage had a coating of dew. So did the motor and OptiSpark (I should have looked first!) Anyway, when I tried to start it, it popped back and acted like the timing was way off and didn't start. That's when I opened the hood. Everything was wet inside the hood. I got the hair dryer out and pointed it at the OptiSpark for about 45 minutes with it on high heat. It started just fine. I took it for a 30 minute drive to warm everything up and never had a problem with that again.

 

[1995 RedVette]

Thanks for the clarification. I was of the understanding that it was an issue if driving in the rain, letting the car sit in rain or going through an automatic car wash (which I never do!!!), etc. I too live in the south, however, had never given the humidity much thought, nor the consequences of the sudden temp swings during the spring and fall (or in the summer when the afternoon thunderstroms roll thorugh for that matter). Thank you again!

Brett

 

[Tuna]

I bought my 92 in Sumter, SC and took it on a 2000 mile road trip all over the southern states when it was 2 months old. Got into some pretty hard rain on that trip and it never missed a beat - and that was with the oldest of old style OptiSparks even before the recall.

Driving in the rain isn't a problem.

Washing the motor is!
Having the water pump seal go bad and dump coolant all over the Opti is!

When I 'wash' my motor, it's more like a spit bath. I use a bottle brush and rag to clean the parts I can reach and I keep my air hose handy to blow dry the motor as I go. I make sure the Opti gets a little extra blowing each time.

 

[1995 RedVette]

Advice well taken. I have been planning to clean under the hood after all of the pollen has gone away. I knew not to soak the front of the engine, however, I was unaware that I need to take that much care in keeping things dry. Thank you again for your guideance. This kind of information is the reason CAC is the best Vette site on the web. By the way.... Did you live down in Sumter? That part of SC is very nice, (history buff, like all the old Federal Style home, etc).

Brett

 

[Tuna]

Did you live down in Sumter? That part of SC is very nice, (history buff, like all the old Federal Style home, etc).

Brett

I was stationed in SC for about 10 years with the Air Force. 3 at Myrtle Beach and 6 at Shaw AFB (there was a year remote to Korea in there but the wife stayed at Myrtle Beach). I enjoyed my time there. I liked visiting the Revolutionary War and War Between the States battle sites and I love the plantation homes around Charleston.

 

[Skyguy007]

The water pump on my 96 Grand Sport with 75,000 miles started leaking yesterday. I'm just glad it didn't go out on the 1,600 mile road trip to the Cruise Fest I took two weeks ago! I'm getting the parts together now and will replace the optispark with one of the DynaSpark billet-base units I saw at Dyno-Tech during the Cruise Fest dyno day. I'll also be putting in Magnacore 8 mm blue wires and NGK plugs while I'm at it. I think eveything's original equipment in there now, which is probably why the torque curve started getting a little shaky beginning at 5,500 rpm on the dyno run.

 

[1995 RedVette]

After you get into changing to the Dyno-Tech unit, would you take some pictures of the install in progress and give your observations on installation, form and function after everything is complete?


Brett

 

[Skyguy007]

I'll try to document this, screwups and all. If I can get the job done without outside (mechanic's) help, I'll post a note here and also post a write-up in the "Tech Tips" section of the Grand Sport Registry web site. I've ordered the DynaSpark, ignition wires and NGK plugs. I've got some messages floating around looking for price and availability on the LT4 water pump. Little things like house painting and a son's high school graduation (with a few out-of town visitors) might get in the way of getting this job done even if I can overcome my LT4 knowledge deficit. Stay tuned.

 

[bossvette]

Bill
Take pictures as you remove items from different angles, it will make everything go a lot easier when you reassemble. It is not a bad job to do, basic mechanics, keep everything clean as you go and take your time you will have no problems.
Good luck

 

[Skyguy007]

Thanks for the reminder. I had planned to at least take pics of the ignition wire routing. Otherwise, there's no chance I'd ever get everything back routed in the right places. I love the GS, but right now I'd much rather be doing the water pump on the '69 BB I used to own. There's precious little room on the front of the LT4, plus the back spark plugs are a bear to reach with a socket. Thankfully, the plugs don't require too much torque to seat. My wife thinks I shotgunned the water pump just so I could put on one of Phil's fancy DynaSparks that we saw on dyno day! It was great to hang with you at the CruiseFest. Take care.