Ebay O2 sensor?

[Slickone]

Has anyone used a cheap oxygen sensor from ebay? How did it do? There are some for $17 shipped for my 2004 Civic.

If they're no good, my next choice was a Denso for $27 + shipping at Rock Auto, which I think comes with the OE size connector. From what I've read, the OEMs are made by Denso or NGK.

 

[exdeath]

Stick with OEM for EFI components. Eg Denso, NGK, Bosch, etc

 

[Slickone]

Thanks and no offense but many people say that about every car part, without any proof or experience with non-OEM (not saying it applies to you or that you're wrong). I was really just looking for an answer to my question.

 

[phucheneh]

'OEM' doesn't mean it comes in a box with 'Honda' printed on it. I believe he's just saying a small number of manufacturers make pretty much all the oxygen sensors out there. You can buy an identical part, perhaps sans the plastic connector, from the 'OEM supplier' for a fraction of the cost. $27 is not expensive.

If there are no markings on the eBay sensor (e.g. Bosch, Denso), I would not touch it.

 

[JCH13]

What exdeath and Phuc said.

If you are trying to save $10, get the more expensive O2 sensor. A bad O2 sensor will cost you a lot more than $10 in poor fuel economy and wasted time.

Edit: of all the parts I get from eBay or other very inexpensive sources I never screw around with EFI or ignition components. They impact the drive-ability and fuel economy of the car so strongly that it's just not worth dicking around to save a trivial amount of money.

 

[iamwiz82]

I'd do the name brand but generic version. I wouldn't spend the $100 on an OEM Bosch with the plug when I can just cut the plug off the old one and solder it on the new one.

 

[exdeath]

Probably doesn't matter on a factory narrowband but on my wideband it has a uniquely calibrated resistor that takes into account the built in resistance of the cable. Cutting it is a DO NOT DO THIS item. But again, a expensive precision wideband sensor vs a factory emissions control sensors are two diff things.

 

[iamwiz82]

My downstream O2 sensor is the same way, it's a delicate situation just installing or removing it. But for someone looking at a $17 sensor I figured that this was not the case

 

[phucheneh]

Probably doesn't matter on a factory narrowband but on my wideband it has a uniquely calibrated resistor that takes into account the built in resistance of the cable. Cutting it is a DO NOT DO THIS item. But again, a expensive precision wideband sensor vs a factory emissions control sensors are two diff things.

The documentation for the narrow band sensors still says not to solder for the same reason. But I do it anyway. Eff their little BS connectors...my soldering is going to be closer to an intact, uncut piece of wire than that is.

 

[2timer]

Agree with the other posters, nay on the Ebay O2 sensor. Knowing it determines your fuel efficiency and engine performance, what's the point of skimping to save $40?

I've had first hand experience with Ebay parts. An short RAM air intake bought on Ebay. Honestly it was a piece of junk. When you turned the screw on the hose clamp right, it loosened. When you turned the screw left, it tightened. Lol.

 

[Slickone]

OK, forget the $17 sensor.

Probably doesn't matter on a factory narrowband but on my wideband it has a uniquely calibrated resistor that takes into account the built in resistance of the cable. Cutting it is a DO NOT DO THIS item. But again, a expensive precision wideband sensor vs a factory emissions control sensors are two diff things.

How did you know about the resistor? Just saw it?

I've been told mine is a wideband. But if I search Rock Auto, for example, with my exact car in the search, shouldn't it only give me parts that will work for it? As mentioned, they have a Denso for $27. Would a narrow band be that cheap?
"But again, a expensive precision wideband sensor vs a factory emissions control sensors are two diff things."
Not sure what you're saying.

 

[Slickone]

But for someone looking at a $17 sensor I figured that this was not the case

Not sure what you're saying either. :$

 

[phucheneh]

By 'factory emissions control,' he's saying 'narrow band.' Some people don't like the latter term; it's kind of a made-up after-the-fact thing that is used to differentiate between 'normal' and wideband sensors.

I would highly doubt you have a wideband sensor. A $27 replacement is most certainly not.

Some German cars around that year use them. Don't think any Japanese cars do, but I could be wrong.

 

[Slickone]

Perhaps it has a wideband and a narrow band?
https://parts.hondaandacuraparts.co...527&vehicleid=1425473&section=EMISSION SYSTEM
It shows front ones at around $90 and a rear one at $332.
A scan at Auto Zone showed I need bank 1, sensor 1. I only see one up front at the header though.

 

[phucheneh]

It looks like they used wideband on one of their engines. From what I can tell, the Si had a wideband upstream sensor, EX/DX/whatever had standard ones.

You will not see a wideband for under a hundred bucks.

And there are only two sensors. Upstream (b1s1) and downstream (b1s2).

edit: nevermind, it looks they all used a wideband upstream?

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-15473-Oxygen-Sensor-Fitment/dp/B000VAZFOA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Those people are all mentioning EX models and stuff. Which engine do you have?

 

[Slickone]

Crappy rockauto website. I was in a hurry the other day when I saw the $27 Denso, after I had entered my car. But even though I had entered my exact model/engine, it still shows parts for every Civic. I was looking at one for an LX or DX. Mine is an EX with the D17A2 engine (the only model with that engine...LX/DX are different), and looks like the cheapest upstream Denso there is $148. They have a APWI brand upstream for $45.

Oreilly has a Bosch upstream for $78.

They're $200-$250 at Autozone and $200-$350 at Advance!

 

[JCH13]

Bosch is good. Go for it.

 

[phucheneh]

Gonna be the wrong part. No way O'Reilly has a wideband for that cheap.

I still don't know how you would tell what has a wideband and what doesn't, since the replacement widebands are still listed as 4pin sensors. It would seem all the 04 Civics used them, though.

 

[Slickone]

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/BOS0/13377/02205.oap
I guess it's a mistake. It says it's upstream, and shows up for my vehicle, but when I search for that part # (13377), Autozone says it's a narrowband.http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Bosch-Oxygen-Sensor/_/N-5yc1s?itemIdentifier=596492

Thing is, I removed my sensor while I was already underneath changing the oil.
Mine does not look like this:
http://www.boschautoparts.com/OxygenSensors/Pages/WidebandOxygenSensors.aspx
It looks like this:
http://industrial.boschautoparts.com/oxygensensors/Pages/RichBurn.aspx
So it seems to be a narrow band.

See #4:
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2007/02/FAST/

So is that always the way to tell them apart?

 

[Slickone]

If mine looks like that narrow band at Bosch's website, is it definitely narrow band?

 

[JCH13]

If mine looks like that narrow band at Bosch's website, is it definitely narrow band?

Get your vin and use it through a supplier that will verify part compatibility with vins. That's the best way to be sure. Us folks on the internet can speculate all we want and still be wrong.

 

[Slickone]

Like who?

 

[JCH13]

Like who?

Autozone, advanced auto, a Honda dealer.

 

[phucheneh]

Advance and Autozone can suck with VIN's. They're at the mercy of a sketchy system and the info provided by aftermarket suppliers. Best thing is to call the dealer with VIN on hand, get their P/N, and cross-reference.

FWIW narrowband O2's have many forms, but I think widebands are pretty similar. I've never seen a wideband that looked like the narrowband example you pictured. But I'm no authority on the matter.

 

[Slickone]

Some more info which helps but also causes me more confusion.

I had a Honda dealer look it up by my VIN and said the part # is 36531-PLR-003 ($341). Autozone shows it matches up to Bosch 15473, and Rockauto shows that Bosch # is wideband. Also a google search for "36531-PLR-003 wideband" seems seems to confirm.

I've since taken the sensor out again and noted the #'s and took a photo (below). Mine looks identical to a narrow band.
The #'s printed on it are DU2 | Densor | 192400-1170 | 04F14

Denso (densoautoparts.com) shows an O2 sensor part # 234-4220 as an OE fit for my engine, but looking up that part on Advanced's site shows it's downstream. Denso also shows an air/fuel ratio sensor part # 234-9017, and Advanced shows it's upstream.
So why is that one called an air/fuel ratio sensor?

Why does Denso show the part # is 234-9017 and not 192400-1170? I bought my car 3/07 with 23K miles so I assume it's likely the original part. Which part showed I be searching for?

This seems to be the cheapest price for the 234-9017:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00122EENE

This person says Denso 234-9005 works.?
http://www.amazon.com/review/R3DEXWIZ8T8R34