Water Pump problem

I have a 1992 Corvette that was just diagnosed with a faulty/leaking water pump. I called the dealership and was given a price of approximately $650 for the job. Then I was told that the optispark module needed to be replaced since the water pump typically leaks on the unit and as a result, once the pump is repaired, the car will not run. This doesn't sound right to me, but I'm not very hands-on when it comes to my motor compartment. Can anyone tell me if this is true?

Thanks in advance, Dennis

Reply to
dennis
Loading thread data ...

find another shop and forget the dealer. its not that big of a job..

Reply to
'Key

True and the cost will go up appropriately.

Reply to
Dad

Its true. I have a 1992. 1992 was the first year the optispark made its appearance. Optispark was a great idea but the location of it was downright stupid. The original optispark did not fair well when it got wet. The stupid thing GM did was place the waterpump right over the optispark. When the waterpump or optispark fail people usually change both. Might cost you 1200-1500 to replace both. I think 1995 the Optispark was replaced.

Reply to
benf802961

My '93 was running like absolute crap because the optispark was of the unvented variety and over years it had gotten all full of rust in there, so the cylinders were firing essentially at random. I don't know if that came from a slow leak in the water pump or from the fact the original owner lived in California near the coast and humidity just got to it. Anyway, the opti isn't cheap. After you remove the water pump it is not a big deal to check it out. If it's clean and rust-free, it's fine. If the water pump has been leaking onto it, it might not be. If you do replace it, try gmpartsdirect.com to save some money.

AJM '93 Ruby coupe, 6 sp (both tops)

Reply to
CardsFan

No my 95 Had an Optispark ..and so did the 96's.... BUT in the 6-7 yaers I owned it tit never gave me any trouble....

Optispark units can be had for about 300 bucks now... far cry from the original prices...No idea of what water pumps are going for been a long long time since I had to replace one on any of my cars (crossed fingers) ....

The reason to replace both is just to save time.. (and labor charges) since the water pump etc has to come off to replace the optispark... BUT IF nothing is wroing with the optispark whay sopend 300 or so bucks to replace it... BUT IF YOU DO replace it with a 94 or up unit, that has vents for mositure ..

Bob G.

Reply to
Bob G.

Water pump AC Delco part number 252690, OE# 12509653 (#88926204)

106.79 I see that AC Delco has stopped building the unit for $417 and now sell it in parts. A1 Cardone has a rebuild unit for $185.79 with a $50 core charge. It has been a while since I was into one of these so correct me, as I know you will, if I'm wrong. All of them were vented, that's how they got moisture in them, so you need to vent into a vacuum to keep out the moisture as they started doing in '95.
Reply to
Dad

If they pour coolant all over the distributor while changing the water pump then it most certainly could be damaged, but if it runs now it should run when they're done with it. On the other hand, if the Optispark is near the end of it's life then the water pump will have to come off again to replace it when it fails.

$650 just for the water pump is a very steep price (that would pay for the parts, a shop manual, and a very nice set of tools).

If/when you have the Optispark replaced, a new model cap will fit the old model distributor. The new model cap comes with a vent tube. The old model distributor can be modified to accept a vent tube. One hose to vacuum and one hose to dry filtered air will prevent future problems. No flat-rate mechanic will do this - they just don't have time.

-rev

dennis wrote:

Reply to
The Reverend Natural Light

I was just talking about shop labor charges. not parts.

Reply to
'Key

"dennis" wrote in news:%eIhg.52655$9c6.50927@dukeread11:

I just did this repair to my 94. Check out CSKAuto.com they had the pump and the dist. at the lowest price. Buy an MSD cap and rotor kit as it comes with the vent tubes and everything, much cheaper than the stock one too. I bought mine at jegs for 157. The repair is easy. Six bolt on the pump and 3 on the dist. Be careful though with the drive pin for the dist. The book says it only goes in one way but I found out it can go in wrong very easily. Also 94 1/2 and up to 96 have different drives so you cant use them unless you switch timing cover and drives $$$$$$. Good luck.

Reply to
2fast4u

Whoa!

The water pump can be changed without making a mess. If they can't accomplish that, look elsewhere for service. Yes, the water pump is right above the opti, but one does not lead to the other.

Now, was the $650 for If it were me, I'd change the optispark at the same time. Assuming high mileage (100K+ miles)

If you are not hands on with this stuff, do not try it on your own. When you get down to all the disassembly necessary, removing harmonic balancer, etc, it can be a bit much. When my optispark quit on my 92 I had teh luxiory of having three cars, so I collected parts at best prices and attacked it all over the time of a week, off and on. Total time all strung together, not counting the hour searching for the 1/2" socket that had rolled behind something, etc, this was a 8 hour job.

But don't let them tell you that you have to chenge the optispark. but it is a good idea.

GeorgeC Red/Red 92

Reply to
George

Here you go. Brand new waterpump for 158.00

formatting link

Reply to
benf802961

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.