Rep Power: 267

I'm getting a new 02 sensor since my car has 134k on the original, and I'm wondering if there are any other sensors I should buy. What about the secondary 02 sensor? I notice few people replace it. Should I replace both?

Also, would you guys happen to know a good price for oem sensors online?

Thanks

 
Rep Power: 225

why replace the sensor unless something is wrong with it? at around 200 bucks a pop it's hardly worth it.

 
Rep Power: 267

I'm not throwing codes, but an old sensor will give false reading won't it?

 
Rep Power: 813

the sensors start to degrade performance in as little as 20k miles. it only gets worse from there. when you have a serious fail, only then will you get the engine light on. yeah you can wait 80k til the light comes on, but a new sensor will work better. and even then, you have to be sure and periodically wipe the outside with a damp cloth to get dirt and other debris off it (the outside gathers oxygen readings as well). most sensors have a rated life of 90-100k miles, but thats coming from the same people that say the spark plugs last that long too. 134k is waay overdue. for the secondary, you can wait until the engine light comes on, since it doesnt really impact performance other than telling the ecu everything is okay with the cat.

 
Rep Power: 267

Very informative thanks. I found an 02 sensor for 110 on ebay. I may buy it or look around some more. You're running bosch aren't you gearbox? Are you having any problems with it because I was thinking of going the same route. Is the bosch universal or direct replacement?

 
Rep Power: 267

Is this the one you have gearbox? 13007 direct fit:

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-13007-Ox.../dp/B000BZG5OO

Damn, I just found the NGK/NTK oem version. I can't believe how expensive the Denso ones are. 148 on majestic, 3x the price!

http://www.amazon.com/NGK-24542-Oxyg.../dp/B001PNG5ZK

 
Rep Power: 813

im using bosch oem type sensors that plug in like stock. its even the same brand that honda uses, NTK. says it right on the housing. my part numbers are prolly different tho since i have 02 civic. been using it for prolly 10k miles no problems.

 
Rep Power: 254

They are expensive, but so is fuel. Shitty O2 sensor reading means shitty mpgs. Choose your cards.

 
Rep Power: 267

Huh? You bought bosch and there's ntk inside? So did you notice any performance gain when switching? I recall you saying you did.

 
Rep Power: 267

I imagine it pays itself back more than once.

 
Rep Power: 813

yeah better response when pressing gas, less hesitation when changing gears. the old sensors were sloppy and you could tell it was taking the ecu a second to figure out what to do lol.

 
Rep Power: 267

As much as I like the refinement of modern cars, I gotta say the whole electronics system is like a juggling act. One thing gets old and odd things start to happen.

 
Rep Power: 267

Where did you buy your sensor gearbox? Is there anywhere in town?

 
Rep Power: 813

i got mine from advance auto in IL, but kragen or autozone should carry bosch i think. you could always order from advance's website too.

 
Rep Power: 267

It was too expensive at autozone, like 69, so I just ordered from amazon, 50 bucks. The car feels better now, and idles better too.

 
Rep Power: 257

when installing a new one do you have to disconnect the battery or reset the ECU ???

 
Rep Power: 267

You shouldn't disconnect the battery. You can do an idle relearn but I don't see the point since it will do it by itself just by driving.

 
Rep Power: 813

nope, it will adjust by itself. just unplug the old one and plug in the new.

 
Rep Power: 257

im most likely past do for one i hit 122,000 today i bought the car at 90 im not sure if it was replaced but dam 160 bucks at autozone for bosch how much was yours gearbox ??

 
Rep Power: 813

well the 04-05 uses expensive wideband so idk. mine uses cheap narrowband, i think i paid around $50 each with my discount at the time.

 
Rep Power: 254

I would have to agree.

 
Rep Power: 0

How difficult is it to change it on an 01-02 civic?

 
Rep Power: 813

fairly easy. get a special socket for the sensor that has a slot for the wiring so its easier to remove. you may need a cheater pipe or breaker bar cause its very tight. jack up front of the car, remove the old sensor with the socket wrench and special socket, unplug it, then get the new one and put anti-seize grease on the threads if it does not already have some. thread in the sensor finger tight, but be very careful not to get anti-sieze on any part of the sensor. outside and inside must be clean. do not drop the sensor! then tighten it down with the socket, plug the connector in, and clip the wires to the stock attachment points. lower car.

 
Rep Power: 267

The NGK sensor comes with anti-seize. I also have some permatex stuff that is good up to 2000 degrees.

 
Rep Power: 267

I took my car out again for a real test drive, and I gotta say that the new sensor turned it into a new car. The power is back and I can say for the first time that it feels like it should. Though it's vital to consider everything when doing a tuneup, because the 02 is just one part.

 
Rep Power: 0

What did your sensors look like when they were removed... were they crusted up with gunk or were they clean? Can these sensors be "cleaned" with any kind of fuel additive?

 
Rep Power: 267

The shield had some corrosion on it and the inside had some residue. You can take a wire brush to the shield, but to get the whole inside clean you'll need some sort of solution. Gearbox might know.

 
Rep Power: 813

any cleaning solution would ruin the sensor, and even if you could get it clean by some safe process, it still wouldnt work. when they age, its not a matter of them being dirty, the useful life is just used up.i dont remember the technical reason, but its like sparkplugs eroding the center electrode. you can clean the carbon off, but it still will misfire if the tip is too far from the electrode.