Hey guys,

I've decided to fight my corrosion problem(on the opti harness and terminals on the opti itself) by just replacing the whole thing with a new GM part...

The car has about 90,000 miles so I figure while I am in there I should replace the water pump. Still unsure about electric vs. standard but am looking through the archived discussions and trying to make up my mind(and of course welcome any more opinions).

I do have a very slight oil leak from the timing chain cover, but don't know how much work would be involved in taking that off and re-sealing it.

Is there anything else that I might not be considering but would want to replace while I have the front of the motor exposed?

Thanks!

 

Its not likely that your timing cover gasket is leaking and if you remove the timing cover you will rip the front of the oil pan gasket.

While doing your repairs replace the opti seal and the water pump drive seal. Do a search on how to replace the water pump seal because if you install it wrong you will have a big oil leak. I have replaced my water pump drive seal and it really isnt too hard but Iam not good at describing repairs, thats why I recommend the search.

If you still have an oil leak after this, it might be coming from the crank seal, that seal can be replaced without removing water pump or opti.

I have also seen oil leak between oil pan and timing cover, you can possibly cheat and correct this by cleaning area good with carb cleaner or brake cleaner, applying bead of silicone to area, let dry overnight.

I just go to an auto parts store and get a fel-pro front timing cover seal kit for all the seals... like $15.00

Lastly, Iam not a fan of the electric water pump but many people are, so that is going to be your choice.

Best of luck

 

If you have high mileage wires, it's a good time to replace them.

 

Thanks a lot, that was very helpful. Now to order the parts!

 

Definitaly replace the seals in the timing cover, if oil is or begins leaking from them their is a good chance it can seap into the new opti. The water pump seal is a bit of a pain, and when you buy the new seal I'd personaly get two just in case you screw one up (as I did the first time)on the install. Just be careful not to kink or tear the seal around the edges.
I actually made a sleave out of teflon about an inch long, the outer diameter of the sleave is the same as the Inner diameter of the seal, and on one end I put a 15degree lead in angle which works very well. I had a machine shop to do it in which doesnt help most of you. However I imagine you might be able to find some pvc close the the size and maybe grind a lead in angle on one end/

 

drop a cam in