I regularly wash my engine compartment (staying away from the Maf,front of the engine etc.) And have never had a problem in the 10 years that I have owned an LT1.

Well here is my first. As I was washing the rack off from below the car sputtered and died. I went ahead and finished washing the car and then went to start it. It of course sputtered and snorted and wouldnt stay running unless I kept feathering the gas (it also threw a few codes). I milk it home and pop the hood suspecting that the opti was wet. My scanner (freescan via laptop) reinforced my fears with a high resolution code, but a EST grounded code as well. I checked the EST and sure enough it had an internal ground in it. (checked as per the Haynes manual) I had a spare one lying around and changed it, the car ran smoother and now it would idle, but above 2000 and it fell on its face. I then pulled the WP and balancer and slid the opti out and took it apart. It had water standing in the bottom!!!! The seal on the cap and the white middle plate looked fine.

My real question is, can i use a sensor safe silicon and seal this thing up after it drys and be OK or should I just bite the bullet and get a new opti.

How sensitive are these internals, will this soaking ruin them for good , or if dried out will they last if sealed well.

I also checked the vacuume lines to and from it and they are both on tight and clear.

 

Its the rotor rusting you have to watch out for.

 

i would say dry it out and seal it up tight, then try it. You can always bite the bullet later...

 

It may not be screwed, but I don't believe it would be a good idea to seal it shut. Doesn't it have vents? They are supposedly to reduce the chances of moisture buildup.

The bottom line with these damn cars is you are not supposed to get the opticrap wet or you risk ruining it.

If mine ever goes becuase of water, I'm definitely going to look into getting something to replace the sucker.

I understand there is such a thing. Just never had to think about yet.

 

I had a the same thing happen about a year ago. I took the opti apart (cap and rotor) and gave them a good cleaning, sealed the opti up with RTV and have been going strong ever since.

 

Yea the opti is crap........i think i have to change mine now..........i have a high miss at like 5000rpm, when i have it matted. I have the Unvented lucky me......i get to pay like 80bucks more.

 

Thanks guys, I allways try not to spray directly above or onto the opti when I wash, never had a problem before (in about 10 years). I dried the thing out over night and bought some sensor safe silicon and applied a small amount to it and letting it dry during the day, will reinstall this evening and report back how it works. T-Trim28 says he had good luck with it so hopefully I will too.

 

hopefully man. GL

 

If you have a lot of miles on the cap and rotor I would look into replacing that. If you had water sitting on the bottom it probably leaked into the terminals which will corrode. You might not see it now, but it will probably show up later.

Also the high resi code comes from the optical sensor and wheel. Make sure there is no rust or anything on that wheel.

Good luck

 

Thanks for the advise sleeper, I'll look those terminals over good, if it acts up I'll opt for a new cap and rotor.