jcniest5 Posted July 24, 2004 Share Posted July 24, 2004 I'm about to purchase an oxygen sensor for my car. I've been searching far and wide and found a store locally here that sells a universal oxygen sensor for $66.00. I found one on the internet (Bosch) that is sold for $70.00. Now, my battle is whether to go with the specific one or the universal one. Other than the wires that I need to cut and grimp to the stock wires, what else is different between the two? Better performance one vs the other? Reliability? Compatibility? What's the better option? Thanks again, guys (and girls). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted July 24, 2004 Share Posted July 24, 2004 I'd buy the Bosch. It's just a few dollars more. Why mess around? -91 Legacy Turbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcniest5 Posted July 24, 2004 Author Share Posted July 24, 2004 Just found another store has the universal one for $49.00. I think that's where I am heading unless I find it cheaper elsewhere. Anyone knows of any cheaper one around? This store is Checker Auto, the first one mentioned above is Red Rooster Auto Parts. I've called around the whole day but found it to be more expensive, possibly because I was asking specifically for the one that direct fits for my Legacy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcniest5 Posted August 7, 2004 Author Share Posted August 7, 2004 Just an update: Put in the new oxygen sensor and now my car is getting roughly 23-26 MPG now whereas it was getting 13-15 before. Anyone that needs hints on replacing current oxygen sensor with a universal one, better pay careful attention to wire signal spec as color-code wires don't necessary match as I found out when replacing mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slo5oh Posted August 7, 2004 Share Posted August 7, 2004 I just went through this on a differnt car. You are right on the universal. The only difference is that the universal does not have a plug on the end, so you have to cut and crimp on your existing harness plug.. From what I have seen every company out there reboxes the Bosch O2 sensor into their own box. I bought A/C Delcos... and whoa... strange... they had a bosch # and even said BOSCH on them. :)If you want your new o2s to last you stay away from Shell Gas. They have sulphur in their fuel and will cause premature failure of your entire exhaust system... and mostly your o2s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. bliss Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 How hard is it to change the oxygen sensor? specific direction would be appreciated..thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slo5oh Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 It's easy. If you can plug in your home cable box you can change your o2s. The only part that may get tricky is getting to them. I haven't done the ones on my soob yet. If it looks like you can't get a wrench on them (or one) then you may need to buy the oxygen sensor socket. It looks like a big deep socket with about 1/3 of it cut out to allow you to simply slip it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSisters Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 People a lot smarter than I recommend removing them while the manifold is hot (real hot) based on the theory that the manifold expands a little. A cold engine (more fun to work on) and a propane torch applied to the manifold area around the sensor seems to work too. Dittos on the specialized socket for this job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. bliss Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 You say 'them' is/are there more than one oxygen sensor? If so, are they located together (grouped)? The wrench......can I buy it at crappytire (canadian) or do I need to order it via my import dealer? Thanks for the replies, MB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frag Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 How hard is it to change the oxygen sensor? specific direction would be appreciated..thanks. On my 96 Brighton with 2.2L engine, the O2 sensor is easily reachable from above. If you bend over the passenger side fender, it's just below and behind the right side inner axle boot. I removed and replaced mine cold with an open wrench of the right size (the new sensor will give you the exact size). Put a little antiseize grease on the threads for next time. If more rusted than mine was, doing it hot or heating the suroundings with a torch is good advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slo5oh Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 I say "them"... because on older (80s to 90s) cars you will have one on each header or exhaust manifold. Since all V and H engines use 2 heads, that makes for 2 headers or exhaust manifolds. On newer cars (mostly the 00s and up)there will be a second one (per side, making the total 4) located at or near the Catalitic Converter... usually not far down the exhaust pipe from the headers. O2s can get expensive.... Hell, even my local pick-n-pull wants $15 each. That's robery... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soobiesvx93 Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Hey how expensive is it to get the O2 sensors changed in an SVX? I'm a member at http://www.subaru-svx.net....but i thought i would ask you nice ppl as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slo5oh Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 go to www.carparts.com and you can get an idea on the price of the parts. Labor should be under 1 hour... so $65 or less. If you're going to have a shop do it then watch the prices on the parts... some no-so-honest shops will charge you $100 for a part you can buy at the local autoparts shop for $35... It's a good way for the shop to make extra money, but still look like a good guy... "See, here... I'm only charging you for 1/2 hour of labor. The parts were expensive" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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