just curious has your local mechanic went through the basics with out using the computer to diagnose it... like Check fuel pressure to isolate it as an ignition problem? Check coil ground...
Check for spark etc...

The computer wont throw a code if the opti is bad actually. And 17 sensors dont go bad at once so its probably taht u need a new computer... Try cleaning out the terminals.. fixed my friends computer problem on his 95.

 

It didn't have much pressure. I pressed the schraeder (however you spell it) valve and not much fuel came out.

Unfortunately I wasn't around when he was diagnosing the problem, or trying to. I'll definately throw those ideas his way and see what he says/thinks.

 

I know it sounds stupid, but check your fuses. I had a fuse pop and threw about 15 codes, thought I needed a computer, had the car towed, the whole deal, and it was just a fuse. The car would still run though, it even messed up the trans (had no line pressure, slipped in first) Had no idea one fuse could do so much.

 

schrader valve will have little pressure when the car is not running. turn the accessories on, your fuel pump will kick on...then go try your schrader valve, should squirt pretty good.

 

I'll definately hit you up if the optispark turns out to be the problem.

 

apparently the waterpump sprayed some water onto the distributor which caused it to take a shit ...

 

it'd be worthwhile to go to a vented style... easy to do and there are instructions on how to do it..

I ran about 10,000 miles on a water pump that was leaking on my vented opti.

 

ok, im glad to know that we have isolated the problem.

Apparently the guy I'm going through can pick up new opti's for 120 bucks. Sounds really fishy and too good to be true to me, but we'll see how it works out and I'll definately let you all know.

on a side note ... I can't wait to feel what this car use to feel like when it was running right ... maybe it will be ready by saturday and ill take one of my seldom trips out to the race track