Oxygen Sensor

**YELLOWDC2R** · 22-03-2007 05:47 PM

Hello,

How can you tell when it is time to replace the oxygen sensor. Do you guys normally just wait till the engine check turned on or is there a specific time when the oxygen sensor get replace.

Thank you.

**shadou** · 22-03-2007 05:49 PM

umm pretty sure it's when the engine light comes on, then you bring it into the Honda people and they type away at their car diagnostic tool and ring you back with a price.. I think

**SINISTR** · 22-03-2007 05:50 PM

a price of about $400+ LOL!

i believe a good time to change an O2 sensor is every 100000kms - same time as timing belt.

**EuroDude** · 22-03-2007 05:59 PM

When you get an ECU code that relates to the Oxygen Sensor, or if the engine has a problem that could be caused by the O2 Sensor, thats when you replace it.

My Civics O2 Sensor lasted 200,000km ftw

**Nikki** · 22-03-2007 10:24 PM

Oxygen Sensors Don't Last Forever
Here's What Happens As They Age

As an oxygen sensor ages, contaminants from normal combustion and oil ash accumulate on the sensing element. This reduces the sensor's ability to respond quickly to changes in the air/fuel mixture. The sensor slows down and becomes "sluggish".
At the same time, the sensor's output voltage may not be as high as it once was, giving the false impression that the air/fuel mixture is leaner than it actually is. The result can be a richer-than-normal air/fuel mixture under various operating conditions that causes fuel consumption and emissions to rise.
The problem may not be noticed right away because the change in performance occurs gradually. But, over time, the situation will get worse, ultimately requiring the sensor to be replaced to restore peak engine performance.
Oxygen Sensor Failures Can Mean
Big $$ In Repairs If Not Replaced

The normal aging process will eventually cause the oxygen sensor to fail. However, the sensor may also fail prematurely if it becomes contaminated with lead from leaded gasoline, phosphorus from excessive oil consumption or silicone from internal coolant leaks or using silicone sprays or gasket sealers on the engine. Environmental factors such as road splash, salt, oil and dirt can also cause a sensor to fail, as can mechanical stress or mishandling.
A dead sensor will prevent the onboard computer from making the necessary air/fuel corrections, causing the air/fuel mixture to run rich in the "open loop" mode of operation, resulting in much higher fuel consumption and emissions.
An additional consequence of any oxygen sensor failure may be damage to the catalytic converter. A rich operating condition causes the converter to run hotter than normal. If the converter gets hot enough, the catalyst substrate inside may actually melt forming a partial or complete blockage. The result can be a drastic drop in highway performance or stalling because of a buildup of backpressure in the exhaust system.
Do YOU Know When It's Time To
Replace YOUR Oxygen Sensor?

Although some cars have an oxygen sensor "reminder" light to alert you when it is time to check the oxygen sensor, most do not. So, unless there's a noticeable driveability problem or a "Check Engine" light on, most people have no way of knowing if their oxygen sensor is functioning properly or not.
The growth of emissions testing nationwide is changing that, along with the introduction of new "enhanced" emissions testing programs that simulate real world driving conditions while emissions are being measured. The latter is proving to be very effective at catching emission problems that formerly escaped detection. Great! So you'll find out your oxygen sensor is bad only when you flunk your emissions test! Nice to know, huh?
According to a study conducted by Sierra Research, Inc., in 1996, oxygen sensor failure is the "single greatest source of excessive emissions for fuel-injected vehicles" and the second most significant cause of high emissions in carbureted engines.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have found that oxygen sensor replacement was required on 42%-58% of all vehicles that were subjected to an emissions check and were found to be emitting high levels of hydrocarbons (HC) or carbon monoxide (CO). Checking the operation of the oxygen sensor and feedback control system, therefore, should always be a priority anytime a vehicle fails an emissions test due to high HC or CO.
Oxygen sensor performance can be checked by reading the sensor's output voltage to make sure it corresponds with the air/fuel mixture (low when lean, high when rich). The voltage signal can also be displayed as a wave form on an oscilloscope to make sure the signal is changing back and forth from rich to lean and is responding quickly enough to changes in the air/fuel ratio.
Don't Wait For Failure
Replace Your Oxygen Sensor as Normal Preventive Maintenance

To minimize the consequences of normal aging, Bosch recommends oxygen sensor replacement for preventive maintenance at the following intervals:
Type of Car

Mileage Replacement Interval Recommended

Unheated oxygen sensors on 1976 to early 1990s vehicles

Every 30,000 - 50,000 miles

Heated (1st generation) oxygen sensors on mid-1980s to mid-1990s vehicles

Every 60,000 miles

Heated (2nd generation) oxygen sensors on mid-1990s and newer vehicles

Every 100,000 miles

Keeping the oxygen sensor fresh may improve fuel economy as much as 10%-15% (which can save $100 each year in fuel costs on average). Keeping the oxygen sensor in good operating condition will also minimize exhaust emissions, reduce the risk of costly damage to the catalytic converter and ensure peak engine performance (no surging or hesitating).
For these reasons, the oxygen sensor should be considered a "tune-up" replacement item just like spark plugs, especially on older vehicles (those built before the mid-1990s).
Bosch Oxygen Sensors
Your Only REAL Choice to Avoid Problems

Bosch oxygen sensors are an exact replacement for the original (OEM/OES). The construction, number of wires and connectors are the same as the OE, which eliminates the risks associated with splicing and crimping wires (required for many "universal" replacement oxygen sensors).
Some three- or four-wire universal oxygen sensors also do not have the same heater circuit watt ratings as the OE sensor, which may cause driveability and emissions problems. There is also a potential for damaging the computer and/or oxygen sensor if a multiwire universal sensor is connected incorrectly. The lack of standardization of wire colors increases the risk of an incorrect installation.
So, when it comes time to replace your import car's oxygen sensor, there's no question that you'll get the best fit and performance from the OE oxygen sensors built by Bosch.

A Few Important Things to Remember

Heed these tips and you're well on your way to passing emissions with flying colors and saving money in fuel costs and repair bills:
Tip #1: Increased fuel consumption, driveability problems (hesitation or surging), "Check Engine Light" lit or emissions test failure could all be signs of an oxygen sensor in need of replacement.
Tip #2: An additional consequence of any oxygen sensor failure may be damage to your car's catalytic converter - a very expensive way to find out your oxygen sensor needs replacement!
Tip #3: Checking the operation of the oxygen sensor and feedback control system should always be a priority anytime a vehicle fails an emissions test due to high HC or CO.
Tip #4: Keeping your oxygen sensor(s) fresh may improve fuel economy as much as 10%-15% (which can save $100 each year in fuel costs on average). Keeping the sensor in good operating condition will also minimize exhaust emissions, reduce the risk of costly damage to the catalytic converter and ensure peak engine performance (no surging or hesitating).
Tip #5 - Thanks to Tom C. For Pointing This One Out: The oxygen sensor operates in an extremely hostile environment. Like a spark plug, it is threaded and screws into its mounting location. Normally the O2 sensor is supplied with anti-seize compound on the threads so it can be more easily removed at the specified change interval. Over time, the anti-seize compound loses its effectiveness and the sensor can become "welded" into its location, making it nearly impossible to remove using normal tools. Using excessive force to remove the oxygen sensor may damage the sensor and surrounding components. If the sensor becomes seized in its mounting location, a simple 15 minute replacement job can become a much more complex and difficult task. Replacing the O2 sensor within the specified change interval will minimize the possibility of this problem and additional component damage. Bear in mind: A non-functional or visibly damaged oxygen sensor may cause you to fail an emissions test if you live in an area that requires regular emissions testing.

found this.. hope it helps

taken from there http://www.autohausaz.com/html/emiss...n_sensors.html

that website yay to that website!!!!! *looks at nick*

**YELLOWDC2R** · 23-03-2007 10:07 PM

Thanks everyone for all the replies.

**AsH_** · 27-03-2007 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by SINISTR

a price of about $400+ LOL!

i believe a good time to change an O2 sensor is every 100000kms - same time as timing belt.

is it really that much 4 a sensor????

**SINISTR** · 27-03-2007 02:09 AM

Honda will charge in the vicinity of $400 for a genuine Honda O2 sensor - yes.

that is why many people opt to get aftermarket sensors for $150 - quality is a bit down and probably needs replacing a little more often.