Price for Optispark replacement

[jedi]

I have a 95 Vette (which might would explain why I am posting here) with 58K miles. Recently the waterpump went, thankfully the waterpump was covered by my Extended auto warranty. However, the antifreeze flooded the optispark and thus it needed to be replaced. I took the car to the local dealer becuse I had a number of things I wanted to have done under warranty. However I have to pay for the optispark on my own since the warranty does not cover it. I am being charged roughly 800 for the optispark repair. Is this a normal amount for this work or should I take my Corvette somewhere else in the future? What prices have you guys seen when you did this?
Jedi

 

[JimS]

I had mine done last year and it ran me about $1050 for parts and labor for both the water pump and the opti. I also had new plugs and wires installed (I bought myself) as well. The opti costs about $300 for the part, and they need to remove the water pump to replace it. My opti was not in bad shape, but I didn't want to take any chances. I've been told by many that if the water pump fails to replace the opti. Hope this helps!

-JimS

 

[dburgjohn]

Opti Replacement

The opti spark unit can be purchased for 300 to 500 from several sources with GM probally being the higest. If they have the water pump off, it is not much more work to replace the opti. The dealer may have a flat rate charge for repairs.

 

[JRMaroon]

I just had the Opti replaced in my 94 (10,500 miles) last fall at a Chevy dealer. The unit was $642, labor $361, gasket and coolant $20.

 

[jedi]

Sounds like I got a bargain for the price I paid. With the exception of course of not having to do it myself.
Thanks guys
Jedi

 

[kingman]

Question on 96

HI

ls this true also with the 96????
l thought that there was an upgrade in 96!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CKA_Racing]

95 and 96 both have the vented opti unit. Just because the water pump leaked on it does not mean it absolutely must be replaced. I have literally directed the water hose on stream setting right on my opti with no problems at all plenty of times. So 40,000 miles later and I have never had a problem yet. If the car has high miles on it, i would replace it since you have it apart for the water pump. They should not charge full price though since it is mostly apart already at that point.

 

[RubyDropTop]

For a '93 you can either upgrade to the vented Opti, or you can replace with a stock '93, nonvented Opti.

I replaced mine with the original style. I bought the unit myself, and I believe the cost was about $350.00. The local GM dealership wanted over $600.00 for the same part.

 

[CKA_Racing]

You can get a great price from people like Jeff Koop on the Corvette Forum or The Last Detail on the web. Both are great to deal with.

 

[sothpaw]

jedi--that's too high

My mechanic quotes $200 for labor for both the pump and
Optispark, and as they said, the Opti. is $350 from GM parts
direct.

My mechanic is in Glen Burnie, is that close enough for you?

 

[compyelc4]

You are messing with danger if you direct water directly on that opti-crap. If you do, I would strongly advise you do a vacuum check on the venting system to majorly shorten the life of the opti. I've lost 2 optis in 5,000 mi. because of a leaking water pump. GM said the pump was not leaking when I lost the first opti. They were full of crap. When I pulled the water pump myself this time, that pump looked like it had been leaking for 15,000 miles!

Where I am going with this is that when I checked the opti vent vacuum I had none. Come to find out, the small tube coming off the front of the manifold (that "vacuums" the opti) was mashed into a 90 degree angle, thus shutting off fresh air to the opti. Maybe mine would have lasted longer if the vent system had been working.

Regarding price, I just ordered a new AC complete opti for $277 w/ no tax. That is a $233 savings over what I paid GM for the part last summer.

 

[tred95]

$277...thats the best price I got also online includes s/h ...no tax.
I'll be replacing mine since my w/p was leaking when I took it off even though the opti looks fine and was operating ok when i removed it.

Pete

 

[compyelc4]

That would be a smart move tred95!

Can you do me a favor? When you get the opti off will you take a peek down the 4-lead ECM-to-opti port and let me know if you detect anything like light turquoise power residue on the terminals. Both of my optis have had this.

Thanks, Ted

 

[tred95]

Ted,

O.K. I'll get back to you later this evening after work. I'll take a look. BTW I think 1 of my vent tube connections on the Opti were blocked...couldn't get any flow at all with the hoses off.

Pete

 

[tred95]

Ted,

I couldn't find any trace of that residue. I'm assuming it is like the color of copper corrosion like the patina on the Statue of Liberty.
I got my Mag lite on high intensity but it is pretty clean in there only the gold pins and the white nylon housing. I'll post if the new one has it. That won't be for awhile though, I'm still scraping the @#$##! gaskets.

Later,
Pete

 

[compyelc4]

tred95,

<<BTW I think 1 of my vent tube connections on the Opti were blocked...couldn't get any flow at all with the hoses off.>>

If you were applying vacuum at the manifold end of the ventilation tube assy, it will feel like it is plugged (very little air). I've noticed that the intake on the larger check valve has a metal insert (the smaller one does not). That hole is smaller than the point of a pin! I believe that is to prevent the engine from running lean. I read yesterday that if full manifold vacuum is applied to the opti the opti will fail prematurely. Don't know what the reasoning is behind that though.

I bolted everything back up tonight. Opti works like new (it better... it IS new). I expected maybe a slight water leak or something, but everything appears tight. Will take here out tomorrow evening. I haven't driven her all winter and actually forgot where the window up/down switch was for a moment.

Ted

 

[95_BLACK_VETTE]

Has anyone tried the billet Opti from these guys yet? www.dynotech-eng.com I know of a couple of guys on the C.F. that got there's, but they haven't commented on it yet...at least not publically.

The President of dynotech was posting a bunch of stuff over there for a while. Seems like a decent part...dunno....

Mine hasn't crapped out yet and I'm still praying!