O2 sensor

[dcsally97]

Hey all, I have a '92 EX manual coupe that I put an aftermarket exhaust purchased off of Ebay on it. At the time of installation I put a new AutoZone/Bosch O2 sensor on it. That one started popping a CEL after about about 4 months so I got it replaced under warranty. Well, now I am getting a CEL again after a few weeks. I have been doing some searching as to the root cause of this and it seems that it could either be A: Bosch O2 sensors are just crappy and don't work well with our cars, or B: I need to add in the catalytic converter again. I need a pretty straight up no BS answer as to what I should do. Does the backpressure of the cat make a difference on how the O2 sensor works? Which cat is recommended for my aftermarket stainless exhaust? I know if O2 sensors are suggested, then I should be looking at NGK or Denso. Thanks in advance for the help.

[Ralphie]

Well first off what CEL is it throwing?

Im sure the cat does have a little to do with it.

OEM is Denso I think, could be wrong. They are just fine.

Bosch makes some thing's good, some thing's not soo good.

I used NGK for plugs, but I never replaced an o2 sensor.

[dcsally97]

It looks as if there are 2 CEL codes. First is 41 and the second is 43. This is assuming I am reading the CEL correctly. One long blink=10 and one short blink=1.

[Ralphie]

That's correct

Sensor heater and fuel supply
http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=21259

I'm not really sure how to attack this, have to wait till someone else posts.

Any other issues?

Misfires/hesitations?

[dcsally97]

Not at all. When the CEL comes on I can tell a little difference in engine performance/sound. Other that that it isn't noticeable at all. It is very aggravating to keep changing the O2 sensor just to have the problem reappear again.

[cloudasc]

Bosch o2 sensors are crap for our cars unless they are wideband, and used properly as such. Otherwise just get a Denso from RockAuto shipped to your door for under $40 last time I checked. NTK/NGK is the OEM brand, but Denso works just as well.

[dcsally97]

So do you think that only the O2 sensor is the culprit? Does the test pipe have a negative effect on the O2 sensor performance?

[Quashish]

So do you think that only the O2 sensor is the culprit?

yes get a denso or NGK/NTK sensor

[Ralphie]

Hmm I thought Denso was OEM for all sensors in the chassis.

Learn something new every day!

I know NGK was OEM for plugs.

[dcsally97]

Since it will cost me nothing I will try 1 more Bosch. If that fails then I will look into the Denso or NGK. Also, no one thinks the test pipe instead of the cat is causing this issue? Thanks for the help guys.

[mtnbikaah]

Bosch O2 sensors are KNOWN not to work in our cars. Just buy a Denso.

-2 cents.

(http://www.amazon.com/Denso-234-4209...&vehicleType=5)

[deevergote]

Exactly.
And Denso & NTK/NGK are the primary manufacturers for many components in our cars. Honda tends to use more than one brand, probably depending on the most cost effective manufacturer. If you'll notice, our gauge clusters are either NS or Denso.


Anyway, yes. Bosch sucks wrinkly camel scrote when it comes to damn near anything for our cars (ironic, since I'm quite sure Bosch invented the o2 sensor! ) Try as many as you like. They will all fail.
If you can replace the current sensor under warranty again, do it. Get a new one, and slap that sucker up on ebay or craigslist. Sell it, and recoup your losses. Dig up a new Denso or NTK/NGK sensor on Amazon or RockAuto.com, and your problems will be fixed.

Since our o2 sensors are located before the catalytic converter, it's unlikely that a clogged cat would be the culprit... unless it was REALLY bad (and you'd notice if it was that bad!) Only OBD2 cars with o2 sensors both before and after the cat will have an issue with a failing cat.

[cloudasc]

Since it will cost me nothing I will try 1 more Bosch.

Oh well, I tried

[dcsally97]

cloudasc, no need to beat the head. I completely agree with you. I just need a temporary fix until I can order a Denso or NGK. It will be replaced with the proper sensor for sure.

[cloudasc]

cloudasc, no need to beat the head. I completely agree with you. I just need a temporary fix until I can order a Denso or NGK. It will be replaced with the proper sensor for sure.

For listening to reason, only reason I made my previous post is due to how many people come on here, ask for advice, ignore everyone's advice and do their own incorrect thing anyway. Classic example are people trying to cheap out on suspension components.

You might as well just unplug the bosch, as theres no difference between it being unplugged and when it causes your cel to be on. Not having an o2 sensor should not cause any harm if everything else about your engine and sensors are functioning properly. So go order yourself a new Denso or NTK/NGK sensor and call it a day.