Talk about saving some $$$ on O2 sensors.

[deliriousga]

An O2 sensor for $10-$20? This blew me away!

I was reading a thread on the 928 forum with a question about what universal sensor would fit and have the correct mV output. As I'm reading, I keep thinking about the $90 universal I just bought at AutoZone for the Boxster that's still in the box waiting to be installed. (I purchased it in case the CEL from running low on gas came back). So, according to the buds on the 928 forum, the universal Bosch (and other brand) sensors have the same mV output with the difference being the number of wires. 1 for no heating, 3 for heated, and 4 for another type of heated. The screw size and thread count is the same for all of them. This means any 3-wire universal will work with the 928 provided you use heat shrink waterproof sheething, so I asked about the Boxster. Same thing, any 4-wire universal will work. (for reference, the thread is http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=238192&referrerid=27688
)

So....I'm going to be the ginea pig and try this out if nobody else has. Since I can plug in the handy-dandy AutoTap and read the output voltage of the sensors, I'm going to order one, put it in and see if there are any different readings from one to the other. I found a Bosch 4-wire on eBay for $15 including shipping. :dance:

It will probably be a few weeks to a month before I get it in (doing the 70K oil change soon and replacing the the spark plug O-rings so I'll do it then) but I thought I'd go ahead and post this in case someone else has tried this before. If you have, was it good or bad?

[PSP]

I'm very interested to see how this works. It's always nice to have alternatives - and since they are so cheap, they could become part of regular maintenance instead of waiting until they fail.

[PSP]

Originally Posted by deliriousga

I found a Bosch 4-wire on eBay for $15 including shipping.

Was this a one-time deal or a regular Ebay seller?

[deliriousga]

Originally Posted by PSP

Was this a one-time deal or a regular Ebay seller?

I'm not sure. I'll check the username and see if they have other items out there. I did have to do quite a bit of searching, changing spellings, etc.

[RandallNeighbour]

John, replace all four at that price as they all need to age together. Putting in one new one, even if the generic four wire works, may yeild sensor failure readings or a MAF sensor failure, even though the MAF is fine.

Oh my I hope this works though.... I'd like to replace all four of mine with cheap replacements if I could!!! When you get it in from the Ebay seller, post pics and a full description of it so we can at least find a source while we wait for you to tell us if they will work or not.

[deliriousga]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Oh my I hope this works though.... I'd like to replace all four of mine with cheap replacements if I could!!!

If you start using less expensive replacements, you'll have to change the name of you Boxster to maybe "Whirlpool".

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

When you get it in from the Ebay seller, post pics and a full description of it so we can at least find a source while we wait for you to tell us if they will work or not.

I will be getting the same Bosch part number for them all so I'll post the number if they work.

[PSP]

Just want to keep this front page so that we all have the info....