water pump failed. need to replace distributor too?

[Dreamin]

Got two pieces of bad news today. Pulled the '94 out of the garage and noticed green liquid on the garage floor. Took it down to the repair shop and was told that my water pump need to be replaced. O.K. I can accept that.

After they got the water pump off the shop called and recommended I should replace the distributor too because of the risk of antifreeze getting inside.

The car has just over 65000 km on it (which is approx. 40,000 miles, I think). Mid-America suggest replacing distributors every 60,000 miles.

Other reasons given for replacing at this time:

1. 350 LT1s have been getting a lot of publicity lately about problem distributors, and

2. A lot of the labour to replace the distributor is already done since they have to take the same stuff off to get to the distributor anyway.

The shop said it was my call but felt there was a good probability that I would have problems with my distributor. This is a horribly expensive part (here in Canada).

Is this possible?

Your help/input/advice would be very much appreciated. The work is scheduled for first thing in the morning.

Thanks in advance.

Ann

 

[Allen]

Yes, by all means replace distributor. Leaking pump is what started my problems on '96 Vette. New distributor, ignition coil, and module. Ran about 3K miles and sets in shop now. Tech says needs new computer.

 

[RedRagTop]

Ann: They said your DISTRIBUTOR was a horribly expensive part? I put an Accel on mine for like, $50 Canuckian from Canadian Tire.I wonder if they meant something else ignition wise. Some C4 guys will hop in here with your year of vette to let you know...
What part of Canada are you from?

 

[Tom73]

Ann: They said your DISTRIBUTOR was a horribly expensive part? I put an Accel on mine for like, $50 Canuckian from Canadian Tire.I wonder if they meant something else ignition wise. Some C4 guys will hop in here with your year of vette to let you know...
What part of Canada are you from?

The LT1's do not use a distributor like the L98 uses, they use the "opti-spark" system that sets on the front end of the cam. It is $348 at The Last Detail.

tom...

 

[RedRagTop]

Tom73; Thanks, knew it was something else...
Ouch!

 

[vader86]

Yes, replace the Optispark.

 

[Dreamin]

Thanks for the replies. As awful as it is, I can stomach it better knowing that I'm not being taken for a ride just 'cause I'm a girl.

RJSROCKET - I'm in Beautiful British Columbia.

Opti-Spark in Canada..... the highest price was Cdn$1,195. That does not include taxes and hours and hours of labour. I'm getting it for Cdn$817.

The water pump - new or rebuilt? New, I said. For those of you in Canada, always check with GM for their prices. Generally, they are cheaper than anyone else. Anyway, new water pump from GM is Cdn$428.

Labour? For the water pump the billable hours is 2.8.

 

[Dreamin]

Sorry for the quick sign-off. Was using kids computer as internet service down on my computer (testing ADSL vs. cable).

Anyway, I didn't even bother to ask how much labour time for the distributor.

Even though I kept telling myself this is a good thing, I could get rid of the little voice deep inside that said "Is this for real or are you being taken advantage of".

I feel a whole lot better now. THANK YOU ALL!!!

Ann

P.S. Sherry - I agree. Bite the bullet and enjoy the car. If you have to ask, you can't afford it! Now to put in some billable hours myself! (grin).

 

[RedRagTop]

Dreamin'; Lucky you and Mac73 living in BC. Wish I could send you some of this rain, about 2 INCHES here yesterday, roads ran like rivers...

Just be sure you actually need to change it. Sounds like there is a chance it wasn't affected. Does it run OK or can you not test? Do you know the dealer?
Man, what pricey stuff. No chance of second hand eh?

 

[96Holly]

Go electric!!!

I am putting another option for ya...

I installed the Meizire electric water pump. I LOVE IT! It's a bit more complex but I think well worth it.

Sorry for any added complexity on the water pump.

Oh ya REPLACE the OPTI-CRAP!!!!

 

[RedRagTop]

Thanks for the replies. As awful as it is, I can stomach it better knowing that I'm not being taken for a ride just 'cause I'm a girl.

Take sherry with you, she will tune 'em up!

 

[Dreamin]

Yes, the weather has been gorgeous - too bad we're on fire. It's quite a ways from us but we have friends that could be affected.

Too late to install electric water pump - job is done.

Opti-Spark replaced. Apparently there is no way to check. It's a completely sealed unit. (which begs the question...if it's completely sealed, how does water get in?).

Do I trust the shop? Actually, I do. They have turned down my suggestions for work before and have made me wait until the correct time to do regular maintenance stuff. The owner also called me this morning with some good news - warranty will cover some of it, about $500. Thank God!!!! Still a huge bill but hey, every bit helps.

As far as used, I could have bought a rebuilt water pump but I'm kinda fussy about stuff like that. Hubby thinks I'm nuts but I wanted new. Only the best for my girl.

From Sherry's photo, she probably could have gotten me a better price! (smile and a wink).

Thanks all! I'm leaving in half hour to pick up my car. Ahhhh..... a couple more hours til rush hour is over and I can go for a lovely drive on the freeway with the roof off and listen to her hum. The garage looks so empty without her there.

Ann

 

[96Holly]

Wa whooooo.....

Got to love the feeling of driving your baby when it's all fixed up.

Drive safe and watch out for the other guy!!!!

 

[militant_x]

about electric water pumps...

I was considering one a while ago... a 36 gpm CSI pump. Then i found out what the stock pump puts out. At idle its very low, but at high rs its like 50 gpm or something. Are electric pumps worth it?

And really.. do they increase performance or just put a huge strain on your alternator. Its getting its power from somewhere.. and any power is gas, is hp.

 

[ReggieD]

This will answer your question

Check out the post I presented awhile back. It will give you all the information you need on the opti-spark. You will be shocked..

Read this first
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com...light=optispark

Read this second
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=257436#post257436

:cry

 

[Allen]

Thanks for responces! Picked up Corvette today. It was the optispark--GM honored warranty (less than 3000 mi.) I had to pay labor. They had already replaced coil and ignition module. Total price $396.00. :s

 

[sothpaw]

electric pumps...

... do help performance wise. Problem is, when they die, there is no warning.
So, you'd have to be super careful watch the gages or risk burning up the engine.

 

[grapeknutz]

The opti spark on the LT1s are ticking time bombs you might want to check out dyno tech engineering inc they have a replacment opti spark that is rebuildable , but it cost allot more than stock.

 

[flyinggem]

Well...its my turn in the barrel

The opti spark on the LT1s are ticking time bombs you might want to check out dyno tech engineering inc they have a replacment opti spark that is rebuildable , but it cost allot more than stock.

I haven't had my 95 Lt1 very long. I have antifreeze on the garage floor. The car only has 56,000 miles so I had hoped I would not have to start replacing things....but it is almost 10 years old. My question is...I cannot do the work myself. I will eithor go to the dealer which I hate (only one GM dealer in my area) they are crooks. But I was reading somewhere in here that ther GM water pump was the way to go, and thier warranty may include the optispark? I am wondering...regardless where I go, which optispark should I buy (I'm just going to replace the current one since the pump is being replaced). And, can I get a deal on a good optispark online? On pause..... near Peoria....

 

[96Holly]

Funny how post can come up again and again...

Flyinggem:

I just got my Holly back on the road after 2 years of sitting. This is the first thread I looked at in about a year on this site (1st time in a year even logging on this site!) and it just so happens I responded to this thread then.

I had horrible experience with my electric pump. I guess my handy work with the electrics didn't payoff. Anyway to me point...

I replaced everything with OEM replacement parts. I wouldn't do anything else with both the pump and opti-spark. I am not sure of the warranty reference you have but do recommend replacing both the pump and opti-spark.

Good luck.