Replacement oxygen sensors...

[JTK]

Has anyone ever tried a 'universal' replacement oxygen sensor? I've got a 2002 isuzu 3.2L that lost the "heater circuit" on bank 2 sensor 1. A new plug'n play "OEM" O2 sensor for the 2002 is anywhere from $110-$169 & pretty hard to find. A universal type, cut & splice 4 wire sensor can be had for around $60. I'm just worried about the reliabilty and longevity of the spliced connections. Has anyone had a good/bad/indifferent experience with these? Gotta love modern technology. This SUV has 4 O2 sensors @ over $100/ea

Thanks to all!!!
Joel

 

[moribundman]

My Audi has also four O2 sensors and two cats. The (plug-and-play) OEM O2 sensors cost about $150 each. Generics will work, but the splice has to be done absolutely meticulously with the best available connectors. Personally, I'd rather not take my chances with spliced cables.

 

[BIGJ552000]

All I heard is stay away from Bosch ones. BTW where abouts are you located in buffalo?

 

[TheTanSedan]

Search boards related to your car for others experience. Don't replace until you've eliminated other causes. No fun to do twice if new ones foul.

Also: http://www.oxygensorwholesale.net

And others.

 

[Steve S]

Betcha you thought eletronics on the car were cool didn't you?

 

[Marlin]

^

Why? Bosch is a Oem supplier for a LOT of car makers, and I have never had a problem, even the splice ones.

The Splice ones are just liek the Oem style just you use your old harness. If you do a good job then it will work fine. If worried, then get the one with a oem style connector.

 

[moribundman]

I've never heard that Bosch O2 sensors were bad. The only issue of which I am aware with any Bosch item are the Bosch +4 platinum plugs, which do not work well at all in some engines, while they seem to work just fine in others.

 

[brianl703]

Bosch universal sensors come with posi-lock connectors.

 

[JohnBrowning]

The production O2 sensors are usualy really good. It is almost impossable to get the production piece though. When you buy a part from your dealer you are not getting the origanal production part and it usualy is not even made by the origanal supplier. You are getting a service part! Service parts do not even go though the same release engineer.

Now I have found that most aftermarket O2 sensors reguardless of brand do not last as long as the origanal. You also do not pay anywear near as much for them!

I have used Bosch O2 sensors almost exclusively since about 1988. I have never had a problem with them. I do not understand why you would need to splice wires though! Surley Bosch,Delco,Delphi,Denso make a replacement that will be compatable with current connectors?

 

[Marlin]

^

They do. BUT as a mechanic I have used them as the price difference between a Bosch with a OEM connector and a splice one is sometimes over $100.

Hard to tell your customer you just did not feel like putting 2 wires together and then heating up soem shrink wrap for them, to save $100 bucks.

 

[moribundman]

quote:

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The production O2 sensors are usualy really good. It is almost impossable to get the production piece though.

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The factory-installed OEM NGK O2 sensors in my Audi are exactly the same kind (same NGK part number) the dealer sells at a horrendous price.

 

[tom slick]

I have found that bosch aftermarket sensors are not the same as OEM bosch sensors. too bad since they invented them.
I really like the construction of the NTK O2 sensor. much better quality construction than the boschs i've had in the past. they can be found fairly cheap at www.ngk.com and they are a good company to deal with.

 

[JTK]

Thanks everyone, for the suggestions so far. The problem I'm having is, bosch, NGK, denso and parts stores do not list a direct O2 sensor part # for the 2002 3.2L. Strange.. very strange.. The only place besides an isuzu dealer that I've been able to find one is www.oxygensensors.com They sell an OEM & universal "walker" brand O2 sensor for this application. Since this walker p/n also fits some GM's I was able to cross reference it to a bosch p/n 13455, and possibly a denso 234-4646, I'm unsure of those, and I have no experience with "walker". Looks like it boils down to a $110+ direct plug in, or a $60 universal fit. Brianl703, thanks for pointing out the posi-lock setup the bosch universals have. That looks like a pretty decent setup.

Joel

 

[brianl703]

quote:

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Originally posted by moribundman:
The factory-installed OEM NGK O2 sensors in my Audi are exactly the same kind (same NGK part number) the dealer sells at a horrendous price.

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The Standard Motor Products NGK O2 sensors I ordered to replace the ones in my Ford vehicle are the same exact ones that were OEM on it--minus the Ford part number.

They've outlasted the original sensors so far; I no longer have that car, my brother does, and with 150K the check engine light hasn't come back on. One of the original sensors took a crap at 33K, fixed by the dealer under warranty. Then the other took at crap at 71K and then I decided to replace them both. Now 150K, no problem.