Spurious O2 sensors

Skullsri

Have an the engine light on in dash of my 00 avensis 1.6 it's giving an 02 sensor fault, got a price from local motor factors for 3 different brands prices ranging from around €90 - €220 - €350. Just wondering has anyone any experience of the cheaper option and did it work ok? think it's NGK..

Matt Simis

NGK isnt a spurious part, they are an OEM part in many applications. Actual spurious O2 sensors are from no-name companies sometimes with literally no name at all on them. I tried some from eBay before and found they didnt work at all or only short term.

I think looked up the Bosch "Universal" replacement PN and use them, also bought on eBay. Way cheaper than the original OEM version as it doesnt have the specific plastic connector on it for your car, you just splice it in. I paid around £60 for a Bosch replacement part (under their Universal range). They make about 6 variants that cover all cars with Bosch O2s.

Skullsri

Thanks for the reply may be worth a shot anyway..

Edwardius

Skullsri wrote: »

Have an the engine light on in dash of my 00 avensis 1.6 it's giving an 02 sensor fault, got a price from local motor factors for 3 different brands prices ranging from around €90 - €220 - €350. Just wondering has anyone any experience of the cheaper option and did it work ok? think it's NGK..

Was it code 21? it's possible that it's just the heater part of the Lean mixture sensor circuit, the sensor will still function after the car has been warmed up, apparently. The heater circuit resistance should be between 1.5 and 2.1 ohms (it's "B" and "ht" on the connector according to the repair manual) so maybe try that before buying a new one.

I haven't gotten around to testing it on mine yet but it's meant to be fairly common in these engines. Has your fuel economy changed at all?

Edit: here's the page from the manual showing which terminals to test:

Skullsri

Thanks for the info Dead Ed will double check tomorrow and test the sensor before I get a new one :-)

OldmanMondeo

I think NGK is OE on that car.

Nissan doctor

In my experience any after market lambda's, even OEM suppliers, don't work well in 90's-00's Japanese cars.

SouperComputer

What exactly is the code you are getting. Mightn't be an O2 sensor fault at all. Vacuum leaks commonly throw codes that lead mechanics that should know better to replacing the O2, only for the code to come back.

CJhaughey

Nissan doctor wrote: »

In my experience any after market lambda's, even OEM suppliers, don't work well in 90's-00's Japanese cars.

^^ This.
I saw a ford focus with a faulty lambda sensor have it replaced with an NGK replacement, even though the original sensor was NGK it also had the Ford Logo stamped into the body.
The replacement one didn't work.
Replaced the brand new NGK one with a Ford/NGK one and it worked.
Why? I couldn't tell you.

dieselbug

CJhaughey wrote: »

^^ This.
I saw a ford focus with a faulty lambda sensor have it replaced with an NGK replacement, even though the original sensor was NGK it also had the Ford Logo stamped into the body.
The replacement one didn't work.
Replaced the brand new NGK one with a Ford/NGK one and it worked.
Why? I couldn't tell you.

Agree,

I hate replacing with anything other than original on any make, model and wont unless owner insists and then make it clear if there"s a problem with it., I wont be responsible. I would almost chose an original second hand over some of these aftermarket sensors, and Im not just talking oxygen sensors.

Rant over.

Pottler

dieselbug wrote: »

Agree,

I hate replacing with anything other than original on any make, model and wont unless owner insists and then make it clear if there"s a problem with it., I wont be responsible. I would almost chose an original second hand over some of these aftermarket sensors, and Im not just talking oxygen sensors.

Rant over.

Agree, and if the Avensis lean burn is anything like the Carina lean burn, just don't bother - the Toyota one is dear, but works. Everything else doesn't. I tried..

McP2011

Some unbranded o2 sensors seem to be complete rubbish. I had to replace one in a 98 avensis, they werent available in the likes of bosch or ngk so had to use Toyota, I think it was near 400.

trixyben

Was in a similar situation where i checked the price of a new one online and was 150 for oem, local motor factors had an unbranded universal one were i had to cut wires for plug for 40, tried it and it didnt work at all and they wouldnt take back as it had been opened from plastic so wasted 40quid, went to a good breakers and got a genuine second hand one fitted it there and then reset code and it stayed off and that was over 3 years ago and the sensor was only 30 quid!