backfire and sputtering. Opti questions?
 

Well I got my oil pressure issue fixed . New oil pump and a check of the bearings resulted in 80lbs at start up. Fighting a terrible miss and backfire both threw intake and exhaust. Pulled plugs to find all blackened and running rich except number 4, looks brand new. Pulled the opti to find brown residue on the disc. Opti looks new. Hardly any wear noticed on the cap posts. Can I clean the opti disc with paint thinner and cotton balls and reseal? Or Once the opti gets wet with antifreeze the optic sensor is toast?

Yeah I was wondering if optis typically die completely and suddenly...or if they will cause the car to start running rough and then eventually die?

My car suddenly started running like crap...like it's on half the cylinders. I'm still on the original opti and it's a 97 model so I figure it's time.

If there's no corrosion, you can clean it up and try it. I'd use electrical contact cleaner on the optical parts.

Mostly depends on how you weight the chance of having to tear it down again against the cost of a new one.

Cleaned Opti and reinstalled w/o installing water pump. Ran great, no backfire, idle smooth. So great! Installed water pump and added antifreeze and bleed the system spilling some down the front of the engine. Fired up the car only to have it miss and buck and backfire. SO time to think. Shorting somewhere. At first I thought the opti got soaked. Noway. Cant be that vulnerable. The crank sensor was dripping. further investigation showed exposed wires before the plug. Has to be it! sprayed with brake cleaner and lubed with gasket maker. Getting to late to fire again with the back firing so have to wait till morning to see.

Installing the water pump hoses and bleeding the system caused antifreeze to be spilled on the Opti pigtail plug only to leak into the connection. Only had to pull the plug and clean with electrical spray and seal with gasket maker SSS material. Everything works great and I didnt have to buy another opti:)