Picky Hondas!

[BrianWC]

Okay, my o2 sensor/cat con odyssey with my 02 CR-V....

1.Began getting front 02 sensor voltage CELs
2.Began getting cat converter inefficiency CELs
3. Priced Honda parts and got weak-kneed
4.Ordered parts from Rock Auto for $400
5.Snapped bolt from cat to exhaust manifold
6.Had shop drill out bolt and install cat for $300
7.Still got CEL after installing a Bosch universal front o2 sensor
8. Ordered 2 "OEM" DENSO sensors from dealer on eBay (Global-automotive)for $60
9. Installed this new front O2 sensor
10.New "OEM" sensor was not OEM, caused dramatic inrease in fuel consumption
11. Ordered REAL OEM Denso direct fit sensor from RockAuto for $163.
12. Installed and now all is good...

This is the first time I've ever seen a situation where only the OEM part would cure the ill. At least I got by without a Honda cat. Those were priced anywhere from $1-1400 depending on where you bought them. So I don't feel that bad...

If this DENSO sensor had not worked, there might have been a Fit or Cobalt in my garage by the weekend. But all appears right now...

Now, on to new brakes...

 

[tropic]

If I'd gone through that, I'd be afraid to order anything but these.

Congrats on getting through it.

 

[Mr Nice]

You would be surprised at how many Honda owners install non Denso O2 sensor and complain about poor gas mileage after the CEL is cleared. I would never even consider a 'universal' Bosch or Walker oxygen sensor for any Honda.

Our old Civic had a cracked exhaust manifold, so at 140K miles I installed a new manifold with a new OEM Denso sensor. The car still gets 40+ miles per gallon. A universal Walker or Bosch sensor was less expensive, but I considered the gas mileage drop with the non Denso sensor.

 

[BrianWC]

Originally Posted By: tropic
If I'd gone through that, I'd be afraid to order anything but these.

Congrats on getting through it.


Thanks! And thanks for the link!

 

[The Critic]

I think the Bosch "OE style" sensor would have worked fine. Sometimes the "universal" sensors and the off-brand stuff is just iffy in today's complex vehicles.

 

[BrianWC]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
You would be surprised at how many Honda owners install non Denso O2 sensor and complain about poor gas mileage after the CEL is cleared.

I would never even consider a 'universal' Bosch or Walker oxygen sensor for any Honda.


No, I knew that some people had complained. But I always think I am the exception to the rule and/or other people just don't know what they are talking about...

This time I was certainly wrong to doubt the other people's experiences. I just hated to spend the money. But I thought I WAS getting Denso sensors off eBay. I should have left nasty feedback but I couldn't find a link to contact the seller and didn't want to ambush him with bad feedback...

 

[Mr Nice]

I first went to AutoZone to see if they sold Denso for our Civic, but the guy said they have a Bosch sensor that fits.

I said no thanks, I don't need a universal sensor that just happens to fit.

He laughed, was kind of embarrassed and said that he is told to push Bosch oxygen sensors and Bosch spark plugs to all Honda/Acura owners.

 

[BrianWC]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
I think the Bosch "OE style" sensor would have worked fine. Sometimes the "universal" sensors and the off-brand stuff is just iffy in today's complex vehicles.


Yeah, maybe it would have. But after the other experiences, I wasn't going to risk it.

 

[The Critic]

Bosch seems to be getting better. Their new IR Fusion plugs seem to work fine in some Honda I4 and V6 engines.

 

[hal]

i had almost the same issue with a 97 civic. denso is definitely the way to go.

hopefully you can return the bosch stuff

 

[BrianWC]

Eh, the Bosch was about $40. No big deal. Like I said, with an OEM Honda cat costing in the $1000-1400 range, I could have wasted a lot more money and still saved verses going OEM on the cat.

 

[Audi Junkie]

I got CEL after a TB cleaning in the 1998 CRV. The BOSCH did not help, changed it for generic DENSO. Still get CEL on and off, but mpg is fine. What actually helped the most was a new thermostat.

 

[wirelessF]

Wow, I never know some cars were picky on O2 sensors. I was planning to go with a universal O2 sensor for my old 4Runner, but after reading this, I guess I have to spend more for a OEM sensor.

 

[MrCritical]

I have one rule about Bosch parts. Don't put them in anything they weren't OEM in.

 

[hal]

Originally Posted By: MrCritical
I have one rule about Bosch parts. Don't put them in anything they weren't OEM in.


+1

 

[Mr Nice]

Bosch makes quality parts, its just that Bosch sometimes isn't the best choice for a certain make/model vehicle.

 

[Quest]

One thing for certain though:

Most Japanese car engines are spec'ed/prototyped and developed around Japanese supplied components and parts, such as Denso/NGK spark plugs, Denso/NTK(Division of NGK) sensors, etc.

As much as most aftermarket suppliers would like to pursuade you into believing, unfortunately, nobody can assure/guarantee cross-compatibility when you attempt to replace a Denso/NTK sensor of OBD-II varieties with Bosch...

Always go with OE and you can never go wrong that way.

My 2c's worth.

Q.

 

[rszappa1]

Three letters OEM

 

[brianl703]

I put a walker sensor in a '97 Civic Del Slo. It worked fine.

The original Denso failed due to the heater going open. Never saw that one before.

The Del Slo idled funny when the bad Denso sensor was in there. Never saw that before, either.

Hondas are just "special".

 

[sciphi]

Denso and NGK make good stuff!