Hate the Opti..anyone else hate it too?
07-31-2003, 01:12 PM
#17
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: Quad Cities
Posts: 609
Originally posted by ArcticYT95TA
I think that is me on the 4th opti, at 112k miles. I hate it, absolutely hate it. I just recently took the car on a very small trip, to the track, and I was nervous that something would break on the way there. 90 miles and it was horrible on the way there and the way back.
I think that is me on the 4th opti, at 112k miles. I hate it, absolutely hate it. I just recently took the car on a very small trip, to the track, and I was nervous that something would break on the way there. 90 miles and it was horrible on the way there and the way back.
07-31-2003, 02:19 PM
#19
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 842
Originally posted by ArcticYT95TA
the fact that moisture buildup will cause the opti to fail.
the fact that moisture buildup will cause the opti to fail.
I've washed my entire motor every time the car gets washed since day one and I'm still on the original opti. I even soak the entire engine with that engine cleaner foam while I wash the rest of the car, then spray it off. I ain't scared! 
My opti doesn't act up. It just fails. [/QUOTE]
Sounds like a bit more troubleshooting is in order...what you're experiencing isn't normal and likely not the fault of the opti. Something is taking it out, or in the process of replacing it something is getting disturbed by coincidence. What brand of replacement are you using? Are they replacing the entire thing, or just using a rebuild kit? Has the wiring harness been checked thoroughly? Has the inline filter been replaced? Once or twice is fine to replace something, but certainly by the 3rd or 4th time you or your mechanic needs to start asking some serious questions. Something's obviously not right and unless figured out, you'll probably continue to replace them on a regular basis. Next time, get the old one from them and take it apart...might give some insight into the root cause.
07-31-2003, 04:04 PM
#21
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Join Date: Dec 1969
Location: Little Rock, AR
Posts: 27,714
To all opti haters:
Would you have been happier with a regular distributor on the back of the engine that you would have to pull the motor to remove?
I don't think so. A regular distributor that did not have the accurate cam and crank postiioning capabilities of the opti? I bet not. Ever get a conventional distributor wet? It conks out.
Yeah, maybe they could have done something different, but they didn't. If it is such a nuisance, get an LTCC or buy a different car.
I am finding there is one thing I really don't like about it - the dreaded opti "whine".
Would you have been happier with a regular distributor on the back of the engine that you would have to pull the motor to remove?
I don't think so. A regular distributor that did not have the accurate cam and crank postiioning capabilities of the opti? I bet not. Ever get a conventional distributor wet? It conks out.Yeah, maybe they could have done something different, but they didn't. If it is such a nuisance, get an LTCC or buy a different car.
I am finding there is one thing I really don't like about it - the dreaded opti "whine".
07-31-2003, 04:26 PM
#23
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Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Norfolk, VA. USA
Posts: 1,880
Originally posted by Type_O_Negative_1320
My original opti tanked at 95K...show me an old school distributor that can last that long and then I'll be upset about it.
My original opti tanked at 95K...show me an old school distributor that can last that long and then I'll be upset about it.
I didn't have to remove my waterpump to chnage it though.
07-31-2003, 04:32 PM
#24
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 1998
Location: CT
Posts: 5
Glad everyone has such good luck...well most that replied to me anyway...thanks for rubbing it in that yours lasted so long...you have no idea how annoying it is to replace so much especially when i are not good enough to do it yourself and pay $$$$ for it.....as far as something else being wrong, some told me that was the problem....no one has ever found any reason for the opti to fail so soon...everything on the vehicle has been checked many times and everything is perfect and i have no other problems with anything...i have no crazy mods, don't race it......so well....perhaps some LT1s are just prone to this....it really sucks.....if anyone has any other ideas what to look for or why it fails...i'd love to know. I won't be changing it for a autozone one...i already had it done at GM last week...so i will wait till it goes again.
07-31-2003, 04:41 PM
#26
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 1998
Location: CT
Posts: 5
sorry....someone asked me if i had a breather line or of filter done i think...i believe the 94 did not have this....as far as i know i have a sealed unit....everything has been gone over and no one can find anything and i know many of the techs that work on my car....they aren't trying to screw me as far as i know....and GM doesn't care so no help from them. I just probably will drive it 1000miles a year for the next 15 years...lol....then it will go again
07-31-2003, 04:43 PM
#27
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 368
Originally posted by Zepher
My old school distributor lasted 130K miles. Actually it was still working when I replaced it since I went with vacuum advanced when I swapped carbs.
I didn't have to remove my waterpump to chnage it though.
My old school distributor lasted 130K miles. Actually it was still working when I replaced it since I went with vacuum advanced when I swapped carbs.
I didn't have to remove my waterpump to chnage it though.
Forgive me if I'm wrong though...I've never tinkered with a distributor other than an opti.
07-31-2003, 04:47 PM
#28
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Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Norfolk, VA. USA
Posts: 1,880
Originally posted by Type_O_Negative_1320
Was there any upkeep on it though? I thought you had to change points and whatnot every so often to keep them working correctly.
Forgive me if I'm wrong though...I've never tinkered with a distributor other than an opti.
Was there any upkeep on it though? I thought you had to change points and whatnot every so often to keep them working correctly.
Forgive me if I'm wrong though...I've never tinkered with a distributor other than an opti.
Sometimes the module will go bad, that is about $30.
07-31-2003, 04:47 PM
#29
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 368
Originally posted by Black94Z
sorry....someone asked me if i had a breather line or of filter done i think...i believe the 94 did not have this....as far as i know i have a sealed unit....everything has been gone over and no one can find anything and i know many of the techs that work on my car....they aren't trying to screw me as far as i know....and GM doesn't care so no help from them. I just probably will drive it 1000miles a year for the next 15 years...lol....then it will go again
sorry....someone asked me if i had a breather line or of filter done i think...i believe the 94 did not have this....as far as i know i have a sealed unit....everything has been gone over and no one can find anything and i know many of the techs that work on my car....they aren't trying to screw me as far as i know....and GM doesn't care so no help from them. I just probably will drive it 1000miles a year for the next 15 years...lol....then it will go again
