MOPAR/Chrysler aplication O2 sensor: best replacement??

[JHZR2]

Hi,

My mother has a 97 plymouth breeze. Other than the typical 'teething in' problem of the chrysler 2.0L head gasket, the car has been flawless. It gets 5 block (~.25 mi) commutes 6 times a day, a 150 mile drive once a month or so, and otherwise just around town use. It rarely gets up to temperature, and sees about as severe service as one can expect. Still, it returns 29 MPG, and runs great. It has only one NVH issue: a rattling manual window crank, and only one design issue (which Ill put into another post): a steering wheel vibration at idle. Its a nice car and has served well. Based upon UOAs, running M1, it has very little wear, and will continue giving excelent service for long times to come.

However, we ran into a glitch: we have just under 80k of the service as noted above, and the CEL has come on. I ran the codes, and the light is coming on because of the oxygen sensor (doesnt say which, but I assume it is the pre-cat sensor).

So, my question is, what is the best sensor to get for a chrysler application? I have no issues getting a bosch, denso, NGK, etc., etc. but Id like to know from those who are more experienced than I, what they would reccomend. I can source parts easily for any variety of american, Japanese and european cars, all at great prices, but want to be sure that we are getting the best quality. For all I know, the autozone bosch sensr may be the best bet, but I dont know.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

JMH

 

[DirtyApe]

Just to be plain honest, factory MOPAR sensors are the best bet. I've had a couple of Jeeps and from the experience I've had, it's best to stay OEM-spec on things like O2 sensors, spark plugs, etc.

 

[JHZR2]

hey that works...

One place I read that a lot of ford sensors, for example, are bosch made, and that a lot of BMW sensors can be bought for ford applications for MUCH less money. Just wanted to check if there was a way to get something better, or the same but less $$$...

Thanks very much,

JMH

 

[brianl703]

I've heard that about Bosch and Ford but of all of the Ford vehicles I've dealt with (3 Ford Escorts, 2 Contours, 1 Mustang), none came from the factory with a Bosch oxygen sensor in it, they're all NTK.

As far as Chrysler goes, it has been reported on Usenet that Bosch sensors don't work well in Chrysler applications. I have no idea if that's true.

 

[DirtyApe]

If you need to stray beyond mopar OEM, I've not really ever heard who makes them actually..

 

[jeepzj]

AT 60K miles I figured it was about time to replace both O2 sensors (upstream\downstream) on my Jeep. Inspection was due a couple of weeks later so I took it in...FAILED emmissions. Replaced the upstream O2 sensor with a Mopar (ordered from Kolak) then took it back to inspection the next weekend...PASSED with flying colors. So I agree, stay Mopar when it comes to O2 sensors.

 

[Greaser]

quote:

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Originally posted by jeepzj:
AT 60K miles I figured it was about time to replace both O2 sensors (upstream\downstream) on my Jeep. Inspection was due a couple of weeks later so I took it in...FAILED emmissions. Replaced the upstream O2 sensor with a Mopar (ordered from Kolak) then took it back to inspection the next weekend...PASSED with flying colors. So I agree, stay Mopar when it comes to O2 sensors.

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Thats pretty much what everyone is saying on the Jeep forum...stick with the Mopar on sensors.

 

[brianl703]

quote:

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Originally posted by mh2800:
If you need to stray beyond mopar OEM, I've not really ever heard who makes them actually..

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If you can point me to a picture of one I can give you my guess. I know NTK and Bosch.

 

[Earl Filter]

As a Dodge service advisor, I'll say that the late models don't like aftermarket 02s at all.

 

[burnbomber]

Stay with Mopar--that's what my mechanic said, and that's what he put in my minivan.

I got a CEL in my Caravan after 65k miles--for the O2 sensor. The guys at the Allpar minivan forum said the front's go first--they go through wider temp cycles and that's how they wear out. In the minivan, the front O2 sensor is near the middle of the van, and impossible to reach unless the whole chassis is lifted. And that's why I had to find a mechanic who put his hands on my ride and fixed it.

Parts cost was a little more $$ than the aftermarkets. About half again as much.