This problem started about two weeks ago. My dad drove the car over to where he works and it started and ran fine all the way over there. When he went to start it up to leave the next morning it wouldn't start at all, just turned over but never fired off.

When he went back to the station 3 days later to pick it up he gave it a try and after 30-45 seconds of cranking it finally fired up (He said that it was a pretty rough idle). The car was then driven over to a mechanic, seemed to be running fine, where it was left to be diagnosed.

A few days later we were told that it was most likely the opti which I dont really have the money to fix atm so I jsut had my dad pick it up and get it home. When he picked it up from the shop it started a little better then previously and once again he said that it seemed to run like a champ once started.

When i got home today from arkansas i went out and decided to see what he was talking about. After turning over 3-4 times it fired right up and idled/reved up fine.

Here is the kicker, my dad said that he had to drive down a service road on the way to work that was partially flooded from all of the sprinklers nearby.

Was the issue that something in the ignition, opti in perticular, that got a little wet and then dried out or does it sound like i have an underlying issue?

Car has 122xxx miles, water pump was changed maybe 15k miles ago.

 

That's a good clue. That sort of problem usually indicates that you have a bad cap and rotor..just like on a regular distributor. If you're short on cash you can replace just those two items with the opti still on the car. Remember to use red locktite on the rotor screws when reassembling things.

 

Lesson learned, don't let your dad drive the car. (jk)

It's a problem as old as time, water and distributors, no matter where they are located, don't mix. I get nervous any time I wash the engine, even though I cover the OPTI, I cross my fingers on start up.

I'd also check the opti vent lines, make sure they are hooked up and not plugged up.

 

***Update

Came home for Thanksgiving and decided to give the camaro a try. took craking on it for 45 or so seconds before it would fire up. I let it run for 5-6 minutes and killed it. After letting it sit for a few minutes it fired right up. Any ideas?

 

Fuel pressure. After letting the car sit a few hours try cycling the key on for 10 sec adn then off about 5 times..then try to start it. If it fires right up you have low fuel pressure at the rail when you go to start it. That's usually due to bad check valve in the fuel pump.

 

Ill give that a try