i was reading some stuff while searching google about the optispark and its problems, where they come from etc etc etc
i do have a 95 Z28, which is the vented version (obvioulsy) lol
the car has 136K on it. runs ok. the cap and rotor was replaced about 25K ago
my question is...if the cap and rotor was replaced about 25000 miles ago, how does that effect the optispark? is that actually a rebuld of it or a preventative maintainence of it?

 

The opti consists of 2 parts, the optical sensor part and the cap and rotor part. Cap and rotor should be replaced just like any distributor. Optical sensor could also fail but supposedly less likely.

 

is it true that many opti problems are a result of cap and rotors being bad/burnt etc?
and how long/miles are the cap and rotor on these good for?

 

yes? no?

 

I'd say maybe 70-75% of the Opti failures are due to problems with the cap and rotor - burned contacts, damaged rotor, carbon tracking. The balance would be due to optical module problems (generally rust buildup in the sensor) and bearing failure.

There is no "fixed" mileage for the cap & rotor. There are people here approaching 200,000 miles on the original unit. Others have had them fail in 10-20,000 miles. The vented units seem to last longer than the unvented ones.

 

so, under normal to slightly heavier driving conditions, how long does a cap and rotor usually last?

 

I think its irregular. The previous owner of my car had the stock opti for 28k and 10 years. I had it for 10k and a year and it was shot. I dont think it was the change of driving style, but just it decided to crap out while in storage.

-Dustin-