I think my car is dead? help please

[94T/A GT]

Ok on my way home today i was just cruising about 45 with traffic.. then my car like cuts off... i go to restart it and it sounds like it is running but just barely sputtering really bad and just crapping out.. so i coast in and try to restart.. same problem running like crap.. barely even going... I noticed when i turn the key off it wouls run for about another 2 seconds then die somtimes blowing out what looks like steam from the TB... i noticed a little bit of oil residue in the TB because of the steam blowing out.... Any thoughts.. 120,000 miles and to my knowledge the opti has never been changed and im not sure on the spark plugs or wires... also i have an exhaust leak by the passegner head that has been there since i got the car last year.. i feared the worst of maybe a burnt valve but now im thinking opti.. Also if it is should i let the shop do it for me.. has anyone had a shop replace there opti. How much did they charger for labor..ohh yea and today is my birthday, What a Great Present... Thanks for yor help. Chris

[Z Ya Later]

Happy Birthday man . I'm sure it will get better, don't worry. Is the Service Engine Soon light on? Did you notice low voltage on the Volts gauge? Also, pull one of the plugs and check it, see what condition its in. I had something similar happen, but she wouldn't start at all after she died...lost the alternator and battery. Lemme know what you find.

[wolfdogs]

opti sounds likely, shop around, the dealer will r@pe you. its quite a job. if the water pump has not been replaced, better have that done at the same time since its right there and has to come off. with that mileage, i'd do everything i could afford at this point.

no light?

[fastTa]

The "steam coming out of the TB" makes me think you could have blown a head gasket. Get it on a scanner and look for misfires and any other abnormal data. Also perform a coolant system pressure test if you can. If you have a blown headgasket the cooling system will not hold pressure.

[94T/A GT]

No SES...Didnt notice any drops in the voltage, It wasnt overhaeting and i had plenty of coolant in the radiator... It Turns just when it fires it stumbles really bad spits and sputters almost like its not running at all... And it showed no signs of hesitation just cut off on me and then wouldnt fire back up right... its at a local shop now but the ****** didnt even look at it on fri.. if i would have known that i would have kept it and looked at it this weekend.. im thinking opti because when i got my truck way outa time it acted the same way spit and sputter then somtimes blow crap outa the TB because of pressure built up in the maifold, from being outa time? Also its not constent steam just after i shut it off somtimes it would just blow out really quick one time...

[Joe 1320]

It does sound like the opti and or rest of ignition is toast. Best bet would be do plugs and wires along with new oil seals in the front cover.

[94T/A GT]

i just replaced the coil.. i had a fealing it would be going soon... at 1500 rpm it studders some runs ruf.. and at WOT it would hesitate 2 or 3 times before it would shift... anyone know where i could get an opti at a fair price im not looking for a HiPo one just one to get my bird back on the road... Also How involved is doing the Oil Seals.... im gonna doo this work myself since the shop wil take all week and charge me some crazy labor charge

[Z Ya Later]

Summit has them for our cars for $391, in stock, $8 handling and free ground shipping (probably have it next day with ground). That's pretty much the best deal I've seen so far. The part # is 10457702 if you wanna look around and see if you can find it cheaper. If so, Summit will beat the price too. Hope this helps man.

[94T/A GT]

i noticed that the vented is cheaper than the non-vented. What is involved with putting a vented on.. I heard that they are better anyways

[Z Ya Later]

New timing cover, new cam, new timing set, adding the ports on the motor for the venting...it will cost more to do this than to just get the non-vented Opti.

[PhantomZ28]

what about the opti-direct system?
http://www.delteq.com/opti_pricing.htm
just get rid of the opti-crap all together. I'm thinking about getting this too. its about 600$ but it mounts on your valve covers. and you dont even need to take the old distributior off.

[Z Ya Later]

what about the opti-direct system?
http://www.delteq.com/opti_pricing.htm
just get rid of the opti-crap all together. I'm thinking about getting this too. its about 600$ but it mounts on your valve covers. and you dont even need to take the old distributior off.

If the low-res pulse still works on the Opti, then yes, you don't need to. However, if that is shot, you're gonna be doing the Opti anyways. If Smog is a problem like it is around here, you might wanna be hesitant since your car will not pass a visual if they see that (stupid, I know).

[94T/A GT]

do i need to just replace the cap and rotor or do i have to replace the hole opti system....

[94T/A GT]

Has anyone ever heard of the opti just crapping out while they were driving down the road like mine did.. i mean just die on them right there and not start back up? ive never heard of this. ive heard i did somthin blah blah and then it wouldnt start.. not i was driving down the road and it crapped out...

[PhantomZ28]

If the low-res pulse still works on the Opti, then yes, you don't need to. However, if that is shot, you're gonna be doing the Opti anyways. If Smog is a problem like it is around here, you might wanna be hesitant since your car will not pass a visual if they see that (stupid, I know).

well how can having this not pas a visual? its not a performance gain its an alternative distrubutor. I'm confused now