Well my thanksgiving is going to leave me with empty pockets and a full stomach. My water pump is leaking, not while car is running but after it sits for a while. I think its leaking at the back of it, not the bottom. I hear a clicking noise coming from the pump also! Is it smart or reccomended to replace the opti spark when I have the pump replaced. I'm going to take it to the dealer because i can't do it. (Don't wanna mess up anything else) Do I request the seal for the pump be replaced also, and if I do the opti, replace its seal too?? The dealer quoted me $320 labor for replacing pump & opti. Is that a good price? Thanks guys. I just bought piece of crap opti fom ebay that I'm sending back monday. I'll just get it from the dealer, if I need it.

Don't take it to the dealer, unless you want to pay about double what you should. Just go to a parts place, get a reman pump, and save yourself the money. Are you sure you can't do it yourself? It isn't hard. You don't need the manual to do this swap. If you have questions, just ask - I have done the WP on my 95 Impala SS. BTW - if the leak is from the back, and you hear a noise, the rear bearing has failed. Soon, the seal and bearing will go completely, and there will be a serious gusher of coolant coming out of there (ask me how I know!). You don't have to do the opti, as long as it was working fine, no reason to change it. My pump dripped on my opti for two years before the bearing finally gave up and forced me to do the WP. Two years later on the cheap reman pump, all is well with the opti.

If you really want to pay someone to do it - take it to a small shop that you trust. Not the dealer.

Don't take it to the dealer, unless you want to pay about double what you should. Just go to a parts place, get a reman pump, and save yourself the money. Are you sure you can't do it yourself? It isn't hard. You don't need the manual to do this swap. If you have questions, just ask - I have done the WP on my 95 Impala SS. BTW - if the leak is from the back, and you hear a noise, the rear bearing has failed. Soon, the seal and bearing will go completely, and there will be a serious gusher of coolant coming out of there (ask me how I know!). You don't have to do the opti, as long as it was working fine, no reason to change it. My pump dripped on my opti for two years before the bearing finally gave up and forced me to do the WP. Two years later on the cheap reman pump, all is well with the opti.

If you really want to pay someone to do it - take it to a small shop that you trust. Not the dealer.

Thanks! I just did the vent harness test on the opti it didn't suck the piece of paper. Should the engine be hot when performing this test. What all has to come off to do the water pump? The bleeding the system is the main thing that's got me worried about doing it myself. I also saw coolant at the bottom of the radiator near the drain plug on driver's side. Shoule I replace the drive seal on the water pump too? Is that hard?

Actually, that dealer install labor price is quite good...and VERY good, in regards to you not having to worry about doing any of the dirty work:thumbsup:

In the same way, the Opti isn't a necessity when you do a water pump, but if it's up there in age/mileage and hasn't been done, given the location that's why people often do them both in one full swoop--that way, you very much lower the risk of digging into the water pump, only to have the Opti then need worked on. But also as said, the Opti can go a very long time, even with things dripping on it, so it isn't a true necessity to do--just a general precaution, given the parameters I already mentioned.

And in regards to the last post...though some have fine results, generally, when it comes to both the water pumps and Optisparks on these cars, you should use ONLY new AC Delco parts if you want the best chance of continued reliability as it was new. A lot of remans are fine and give fine results for the price, but at the same time, unless you're really on a budget...stick to new originals, and you're better set.

Actually, that dealer install labor price is quite good...and VERY good, in regards to you not having to worry about doing any of the dirty work:thumbsup:

In the same way, the Opti isn't a necessity when you do a water pump, but if it's up there in age/mileage and hasn't been done, given the location that's why people often do them both in one full swoop--that way, you very much lower the risk of digging into the water pump, only to have the Opti then need worked on. But also as said, the Opti can go a very long time, even with things dripping on it, so it isn't a true necessity to do--just a general precaution, given the parameters I already mentioned.

And in regards to the last post...though some have fine results, generally, when it comes to both the water pumps and Optisparks on these cars, you should use ONLY new AC Delco parts if you want the best chance of continued reliability as it was new. A lot of remans are fine and give fine results for the price, but at the same time, unless you're really on a budget...stick to new originals, and you're better set.

Thanks caddycruiser, It sucks that in all of this I got suckered into that fake opti off of ebay. I think that since this is such a delicate situation I'm going to replace the opti, water pump, drive seals for both, timing chain and seals, to get it over with and keep my ride going strong. It only has 114,000 miles on a 96. I'm buying AC delco opti, considering reman water pump. Have to see how much AC water pump is. Are timing chains replaced this early on LT1s?

Timing chains can actually go quite a while, and rarely do you hear of people even thinking of replacing them unless they're doing a more full teardown and just because they're "there". Still, not necessarily a bad idea, but I wouldn't even be concerned in the least about it at 114k.

Timing chains can actually go quite a while, and rarely do you hear of people even thinking of replacing them unless they're doing a more full teardown and just because they're "there". Still, not necessarily a bad idea, but I wouldn't even be concerned in the least about it at 114k.

Thanks!! One last thing, (don't mean to be so pessimistic) since the opti vent harness has no suction at elbow should I replace it or is there a way to blow it out?

I did my Opti (actually, just tore down to clean cap/rotor contacts) and replace my water pump (heard a squeal, thought it was it). If you are mechanically inclined, it isn't too hard at all. The water pump itself, on a non mech fan car I can probably have off inside 20 min, probably less. It is very easy. The seals you NEED to get from the dealer. Get the o-rings and seals ahead of time. No one else has them, dealer only.... I had only 2 stumbling blocks, the coupling between the pump and the engine (had to torch it to get it to loosen up!) and the seal around the gear that the coupling goes onto. Else was a piece of cake.

Oh, to take the Opti off, you will need a reverse torx socket. I got mine from local Snap On dealer, they know it well....

Get a new Opti Harness if yours is very old. Like $20 at dealer.

I take off the line to the air intake tract and put on a vacuum gauge, ensure it gets to at least 15 inches of vacuum, if not, it is leaking. Replace it!

I did my Opti (actually, just tore down to clean cap/rotor contacts) and replace my water pump (heard a squeal, thought it was it). If you are mechanically inclined, it isn't too hard at all. The water pump itself, on a non mech fan car I can probably have off inside 20 min, probably less. It is very easy. The seals you NEED to get from the dealer. Get the o-rings and seals ahead of time. No one else has them, dealer only.... I had only 2 stumbling blocks, the coupling between the pump and the engine (had to torch it to get it to loosen up!) and the seal around the gear that the coupling goes onto. Else was a piece of cake.

Oh, to take the Opti off, you will need a reverse torx socket. I got mine from local Snap On dealer, they know it well....

Get a new Opti Harness if yours is very old. Like $20 at dealer.

I take off the line to the air intake tract and put on a vacuum gauge, ensure it gets to at least 15 inches of vacuum, if not, it is leaking. Replace it!

Thanks! I'm gonna wait unitl the opti fails before fooling with it. I want to do the cap and rotor though. I'm waiting on Dal to email me back for the cost of all the parts. I hope to have it done by Wed.

Dal has retired, and now basically just goes through RMS auto parts to get items. That was what I just found out recently.

08-10-07 - We are very happy to announce that we will be fulfilling the GM and AC Delco parts orders for Dal Slabaugh as he is now working with us to bring you the very best in service with our pricing support. If you normally order through Dal, you may continue to do so using his contact info (email: lockitup@bright.net or through his toll free number: 877-448-5451) and he will ensure your requests for parts are handled with care and precision through us. His vehicle knowledge and support throughout the years have made his efforts a treasure to the car enthusiast community. All of us at RMS thank Dal for his continued support of the enthusiast community; and now through him, we will get to know more of you as we continue to keep your rides on the road!

He can still do things, as a service, but to save time and make it easy, just go directly to:

http://www.rmsautoparts.com

I've had nothing but good experiences with them, and that would be why he now uses them as well.

Dal has retired, and now basically just goes through RMS auto parts to get items. That was what I just found out recently.



He can still do things, as a service, but to save time and make it easy, just go directly to:

http://www.rmsautoparts.com

I've had nothing but good experiences with them, and that would be why he now uses them as well.

Wow, thanks! I can't seem to get the website to come up.

$904 later its fixed. New AC Delco Opti, AC Delco opti vent harness, AC Delco distributor front cover seal, new advance auto water pump, AC Delco water pump shaft seal and O-rings, AC Delco thermostat, AC Delco coolant temp sensor. Damn labor cost $400.

$904 later its fixed. New AC Delco Opti, AC Delco opti vent harness, AC Delco distributor front cover seal, new advance auto water pump, AC Delco water pump shaft seal and O-rings, AC Delco thermostat, AC Delco coolant temp sensor. Damn labor cost $400.

So you had someone do it? Did you order & supply the parts yourself, or also have them do that?

Either way, it's a big bill, but given the amount of AC Delco items you just replaced (well, aside from the WP...hopefully that goes fine), you should be good for quite a while.

$400 for labor?? Heck, that would have bought 3 or 4 gallons of gas today.

LOL

So you had someone do it? Did you order & supply the parts yourself, or also have them do that?

Either way, it's a big bill, but given the amount of AC Delco items you just replaced (well, aside from the WP...hopefully that goes fine), you should be good for quite a while.

I bought all of the parts myself and let the Cadillac dealer put them on. Just didn't trust anyone else around here to do it right!

How much was their labor rate?

I am lucky that a good friend of mine is a mechanic up here and he owns 3 LT1 powered cars himself.. charges me $50/hour.

You could have bought a lot of tools for 400 bucks... I understand, though. Sometimes, you just have to get stuff done...

True... but those tools don't provide you with a 1 year warranty on parts & labor :cool:

True... but those tools don't provide you with a 1 year warranty on parts & labor :cool:

And neither will any mechanic that you supply parts to...

The labor was $85 an hour. $310 total. They day I went to get the car I drove it home and it was leaking oil behind the water pump. I was pissed. Took it back and they tried to trip about warranty because I bought the parts over the counter. I bought everything from their parts department except for the water pump and coolant. They had to do it all over again and I paid another $80 for another seal, coolant and labor. They wanted another $310, after talking to manager and telling them they can't put air in my damn tire from now on that's what we came up with. This is my only car and I didn't have time to fuss and draw this crap out. I learned a lesson. Trust me! Its not leaking anymore and runs a lot better. I know they got me.