I'm trying to run down a hesitation and intermittent miss and intake backfire problem and had a question. A while back I got some work done on my car before the rebuild and didn't know much about the car and the shop, who uses NAPA parts exclusively, used a remanufactured opti, this one -

http://www.napaonline.com/masterpage...odule)+-+Remfd

Is this a poor quality opti? I'm worried because for a short time I had a leak that I believe at the time caused me to misfire because it was above the opti, possibly reaching it and also hit the belt causing it to squeak. I fixed the leak but the problem remained off and on. One day the car runs like a champ, the next day it wants to miss and/or hesitates a lot.

 

The quality of anything but a GM opti is spotty (the GM ones aren't even 100%, but probably the most consistent).

 

I think most parts stores sell referbished ones, and its a crap shoot if it will even work and how long it will last. But if you are short on cash but have time on your hands you can try one, i think must come with a lifetime warentee

 

just an FYI the parts stores ones DO NOT come with a cap and rotor

so when ya buy all the bits and pieces ya may as well get a gm unit or for what its prolly gonna cost you get an msd

 

If your in a bind and need an opti in a hurry advanced auto parts does sell a new ac delco opti fully assembled pn#1104032 For $453.18, this is the same one that sells for $309.95 from summit. you can talk them down on price!

 

my bad, I just realized yours is a 94. #10457702 $534.58 and $395.95 From summit

 

If I get another opti, it's going to be gm or nothing. I'm just wondering if my opti could be the cause of my problems.....from the sound of it it may be.

 

Find a shop that knows how to "scope an ignition system" and they can tell you exactly what is OK (or not) with your ignition system including your opti, coil, wires, plugs, etc. Well worth the $50 - 75 to know for sure what's going on.

 

good idea bob. I'll do that. Maybe the shop that built my motor can do it.

 

What kind of shop useing only napa parts? Honestly. Like others have said, GM is the most consistent id stick with that.

 

I have one from Carquest for 4 years now.... No problems yet???? It was a reman....

 

mine is also a carquest one that i've had for about the same amount of time and it works wonderfully. maybe i'm biased since i own a carquest, haha

 

Well I'll have everything "scoped" out before I buy anything new, don't worry.

 

I'm having my preferred shop scope everything out tomorrow.....hopefully the car will decide to act up tomorrow and they can catch it in the act. Or hopefully they can figure it out either way.

 

Bring a plant sprayer bottle with some plain water in it. That way, if your car is behaving properly, your mechanic can carefully spray a little mist of water in various areas to test for weak spots. This also simulates high-humidity weather and can be good for identifying "weak" spark plug wires.