So what's the latest on cheap 02 sensors? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Perfectlap · 08-03-2007, 02:04 PM

I'd like to replace my 02 sensors now that I'm 40K mile territory. Anyone have a good source for 4 brand new Boxster friendly 02 sensors?

Grizzly · 08-03-2007, 02:38 PM

I got mine from http://986forum.com/forums/oxygensensors.com. They were something like $119.00 a piece, but they are the correct plug and play sensors, so I didn't have to screw with wiring the generic ones to work for the Boxster. Some guys have done that successfully, but others have had trouble and in the end had to buy the correct ones.

mikefocke · 08-03-2007, 04:50 PM

O2 sensors fail and turn on a CEL or, if they are failing, provide a code that says they are "tired". I have 52K on my '01S and replaced the one that said it was "tired". I'll replace the others when they give trier codes saying they need replacement.

O2 sensors part Numbers and DIY

larez2 · 08-03-2007, 08:04 PM

I bought mine from ******************************************************************************************** free shipping too. There was a thread on here a while back that suggested using cheap non-bosch o2 sensors. The model number for the cheap o2 sensors is USOS-4000. Those apparently work on egas Boxsters (year 2000 model year and later), but they do not seem to work on non egas Boxster (model year 1997-1999, cable operated throttles). I confirmed that they didn't work for me on my 1999. I ended up buying Bosch ones part number C5010-126055, I had to splice them and they worked on my car, no problems. You can also get Bosch OEM connector ones, but they are more expensive. I'd personally go with Bosch ones if you can - the one's Grizzly mentions are not Bosch, but are cheaper.

A quick note about o2 sensor replacement. Lots of people think the life of an o2 sensor is only 30k miles. That is not completely true:

"Unheated 1 or 2 wire wire O2 sensors on 1976 through early 1990s vehicles can be replaced every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Heated 3 and 4-wire O2 sensors on mid-1980s through mid-1990s applications can be changed every 60,000 miles. On OBD II equipped vehicles (1996 & up), a replacement interval of 100,000 miles can be recommended."

My recommendation to you is to replace yours only if you get a check engine light or as you get closer to 100k miles. You can of course replace it sooner with no ill effects and it might help your car run smoother depending on the condition of the current ones.

Good Luck,
Larez2

Perfectlap · 08-03-2007, 10:50 PM

jinxed myslef

this evening I got

P0153 Generic O2 Circuit Slow Response (Bank 2, Sensor 1) .
P1276 Manuf. Control. Fuel Air Metering

if anyone can shed light on this I'd apreciate some feedback.

Perfectlap · 08-04-2007, 02:29 PM

ok for the laymen... Bank 2 is the driver's side. (4,5,6 in the diagram)

my error code points to sensor 1 in Bank 2,
is that sensor 4 below?

larez2 · 08-04-2007, 05:56 PM

When I use the Renntech DME 7.2 Engine code search this is what i get (same thing for both):

P0153 = Ageing of oxygen sensor ahead of TWC, bank 2
P1276 = Ageing of oxygen sensor ahead of TWC, bank 2

TWC = Three Way Catalytic Converter

So your codes are for the o2 sensor before the catalytic converter on the driver side.

I've attached a picture of where it is on my car which is a 99' so the exact placement of your's might be different.

I've also attached a picture of the connector. There are a tabs on each side of it that keep the connector locked, some guys say that you can carefully lift the tabs to slide the connector off, I wasn't able to, i had to break them off with a small flathead screwdriver.

Good Luck,
Larez2

Paul · 08-04-2007, 07:11 PM

#4 is a spark plug coil.

Paul · 08-04-2007, 07:14 PM

Are you sure that is a picture of a Boxster motor? That oil fill tube is on the wrong side.

Tool Pants · 08-04-2007, 09:25 PM

I have had a problem with the sensor on bank 1 after the cat for 8 years. If you include the original sensor, I am on my 4th Bosch sensor. The other 3 sensors are original on my 1997.

Either I have had 4 bad sensors or I have a bad cat. Have not had the time to rule out one or the other.

I think it is just another bad sensor. This time I bought a Walker sensor from ebay for about $110. No more Bosch for me. Walker does not make a universal one for the Boxster. My Walker has the same connector as the Bosch units.

Have not had time to put in the Walker, so I have no report.

blinkwatt · 08-04-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

Are you sure that is a picture of a Boxster motor? That oil fill tube is on the wrong side.

Good eyes!

Perfectlap · 08-05-2007, 08:49 AM

Tanks Larez, I couldn't find a photo of where the 02 sensor was. I'm going to replace it with my indepedent mechanic. I cleared the CEL and it didn't come back but I'm ordering the sensor (pre-cat left) from oxygensensors.com. The Walker is $110. Considering buying the socket with hole in it.

The pic is from the Boxster motor. Maybe there is a mistake in the diagram. Sounds like from Toolpants there are many errors in the stuff Porsche puts out.