Why do I have to prove myself stupid on a daily basis? I just finished replacing my optispark. I put in coolant and I let my car run to get up to temperature and forgot to close the bleeder screw. (not the thermostat housing one) It soaked the passenger side of my engine around alternator and battery with a steady long stream of coolant. I caught it too late and now the engine won't start. What could I have soaked that would keep the car from starting? It doesn't appear to be wet anywhere near the optispark. Thanks...

 

I dunno man, how hot are we talking here? Was it bury the temp gauge needle hot? If the opti was installed properly it shouldn't be the problem. If you are certain it is, hook a vacuum to the lower opti vent and suck it dry for 15 minutes. If it still doesn't start check the plug wires. If that doesn't work, you might really be in trouble depending on how hot that engine got.

 

The car didn't overheat. The gauge read normal (it didn't earlier before adding more coolant). The coolant was just streaming out of the bleeder all the way to the battery.

 

Just noticed you have a 96. Check the crank sensor and dry that area out too.

 

Did you scan it for codes?

Crank sensor won't prevent it from starting. It's just there for misfire detection.

 

I don't have a scanner and the car won't start. Upon further review, the opti may have gotten wet.

 

You may have to wait until the opti dries. Might try spraying it with WD40.

 

Dumb question... Spray into the opti or the exterior?

 

I took off the vacuum hoses and blew air through them. While they were removed, I sprayed canned air into the opti. I also laid a box fan face down on high on the motor for good measure. God I hope I don't have to change that friggin thing again.

 

doesn't help you now but next time seal the outside of the opti housing with RTV. no o ring protects the opti.

 

Thanks, Z. I didn't think of that before, but I sure recognized the need after I soaked it. Any further installations will have RTV.