She died again, and this time it seems final.

[evildragon]

Play the trumpet of death...

She died today on a simple trip to the grocery store. Just died, out of nowhere. Popped the hood, the engine was wet of collant and fuel. It looks like the block has cracked. I managed to start it again to pull it into the parking lot before it died again rounding the corner, for the last time.

Time for a new car. Estimated repair is more than I have.

[mike561]

That sucks, you couldnt jus keep it as a project car now huh? I feel you though, money is REALLY tight for me right now too.

[bhw33191]

jesus. all that time you put into the thing to keep it going. looks like you have (or had) a lemon..

sorry for your loss. maybe another caprice? at least get a chevy

[evildragon]

I was looking at getting a small 4 banger for the time being. I just don't have the money to get another good car.

And the thing is, this car made the trip to St. Augustine and back, no problems. I got to work and back today, no problems. Go to store, and dies.

I've spent about over 3 thousand in fixing it so far. I'm done.. That price I could have a newer decent running automobile.

And the ironic thing, the computer claims the low res pulse from opti is failed. Obviously that's not it if the engine is wet.

[bhw33191]

Originally Posted by evildragon

I was looking at getting a small 4 banger for the time being. I just don't have the money to get another good car.

And the thing is, this car made the trip to St. Augustine and back, no problems. I got to work and back today, no problems. Go to store, and dies.

I've spent about over 3 thousand in fixing it so far. I'm done.. That price I could have a newer decent running automobile.

And the ironic thing, the computer claims the low res pulse from opti is failed. Obviously that's not it if the engine is wet.

You mentioned before that there was an engine swap in this thing right? I bet if the original engine was still there you wouldnt be having these problems. Reminds me..my parents had an old chevy blazer once. Right from the lot it broke down and never ran right, not ONCE. Keep in mind this thing was brand new. They finally gave up on that crap bucket later on. But yeah, its too bad the economy is the way it is right now.

[mike561]

So are you just gonna scrap it? you could also probably try to sell it for parts, or to someone who can swap the engine. jus a few ideas though.

[evildragon]

I really don't know. It still hurts to see it go or come down helpless on the tow truck. Heck, I even named her not 2 weeks ago.

Trouble code 16 comes up, everything was new and replaced over the old one that did that same break down and code nearly a year ago.

16.... And yet it makes no sense because it didn't even violently shake like it did last time this happened. This time it was just a dead stall when coming to a red light..

I want to hope that the wetness and smell is just a bust hose. But I'm not thinking it is. It's home atleast, but sadly facing the wrong way. I'm surely getting a ticket for that tomorrow being how anal our HOA is.

[evildragon]

And now this morning it starts...

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by evildragon

Play the trumpet of death...

She died today on a simple trip to the grocery store. Just died, out of nowhere. Popped the hood, the engine was wet of collant and fuel. It looks like the block has cracked. I managed to start it again to pull it into the parking lot before it died again rounding the corner, for the last time.

Time for a new car. Estimated repair is more than I have.

I would say your water pump failed and the coolant got into your opti....this is common.....the fuel smell is from the unburned fuel flooding the cylinders....

this would cost if you repair 600.00.....if this is what happened...

[mike561]

I remember shortly after i got my car the t-stat housing cracked and caused coolant to spill out everywhere, when i would squeeze the hose you could see it spray out from the t-stat housing. might as well give that a quick look too

[evildragon]

When I start it, I see nothing leaking at all. I even stressed it out while in the driveway, not even a stall. Only when it gets on the road about 3 miles down it'll do it, and worse, only code 16...

[rhandwor]

I think U-pull it would sell you a used motor for around $150.00 you have to unbolt and they bring it out with a front end loader.
A lot of labor would be involved.

[evildragon]

Mechanic had it for a week and diagnosed it as being bad electrical harness for opti, and bad opti's optical sensor for low resolution pulse..

Hope they are right... But they are charging a little over a grand in parts and labor.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by evildragon

Mechanic had it for a week and diagnosed it as being bad electrical harness for opti, and bad opti's optical sensor for low resolution pulse..

Hope they are right... But they are charging a little over a grand in parts and labor.

if they replace the opti I hope they use the oem one....

the connector I don't understand how this could be damaged....unless someone screwed with it at some point...

your vehicle was built I believe with the non vented opti ..this was a design problem resolved in the later year/s....

on my 96 Lt1 the opti is vented by the engine vacuum...this keeps the cap and optical sensor from damage for a longer period of time.

any anti freeze running down the front engine cover will damage the opti....this includes the water pump WEEP hole....

on my engine I installed a weep hole hose and routed the end of hose away from the opti...

[evildragon]

The 94 Classic LS's had Vented Opti's. The rest in 95 then got them...

They told me the inside of the opti was bone dry, nothing got in. The optical sensor just intermittently failed.