oxygen sensor

Keep looking. You probably can find a generic sensor for under $100, but you would have to splice wires most likely.

It's in the exhaust manifold at the front of the car under the hood. Look below the valve cover area possibly obscured slightly by the ac hoses. The wires for it are coming out of a hole in the middle of the valve cover heat shield. Make sure not to buy a crappy replacement or you will be sorry.

Which manufacurers of these sensors are acceptable? So it its installed by connecting wires? I had visions of something screwing into the manifold. Does it read oxygen inside the engine or outside? (The "check engine" light sent me to the shop.)

The analysis was done by a Honda dealer. ($189) Are you suggesting they would make the mistakes you highlight. Am I damaging the vehicle by continuing to drive without making the repair. The check engine goes on some time but not all the time and the only thing I notice when driving is when I'm on the freeway at a constant speed of say 60 mph I will feel a surge every once in awhile. The other thing is the MPG can vary from close to 50 but also as low as 38 mpg. (The VX was a fuel efficent model). Just lately I got 44 mpg on a 300 mile round trip. Otherwise the vehicles runs fine.

Can I trust Honda to have made the correct diagnosis that you have discribed? Thank you for your time!

Probably, but there is absolutely no guarantee of that. The main advantage they have is factory analysis equipment and training, but that does not assure an absolute guarantee of accuracy in diagnosis.

The thought that a dealer has factory tooling and training which makes them better than an independent is not true. I know many independent shops across the country that use factory diagnostic tooling for not only Honda, but for most every car line that is on the road. These shops also keep current on their factory service and repair information and training. Most shops like this will also put a guarantee on their analysis of the problem too.

If I could summarize the discussion so far. There are no generic oxygen sensors. I need an oxygen sensor designed specifically for my car model. I should find a qualified shop to do the analysis. How do I find a qualified shop that has the necessary equipment and training? Some say I can get a sensor for as little as $80, while bwrench says I need the Honda brand $500 sensor for quality assurance and because it will be calibrated to match my car. Does't Honda have these sensors made by a subcontractor? Would this subcontractor sell after market on the side or would that break their contract with Honda? Is the sensor calibrated to my car model or to my particular car while in the shop. I live in Grass Valley, CA.

I just had an oxygen sensor replaced in My 2001 chevy pickup. ($189.00) parts and labor. However they tell Me there are 4 oxygen sensors on this truck, does Honda have more then one? This could cause a problem if he replaces the wrong one.

Just wondering.

oilcan13

The Honda in discussion is a 1993 and a 4 cylinder engine. Engines prior to 1996 only use one o2 sensor, which was placed somewhere between the engine and the catalytic converter. In 1996 when OBD2 emissions was mandated, a down stream o2 sensor was installed behind the catalytic converter. This sensor is used to monitor the efficiency of the catalytic converter and at time to adjust the fuel trims of the engine to keep the cat working at it's most efficient state. In the case of your Chevy pickup, with the 4.3 v6 engine, there are 4 sensors. One front sensor for each bank (bank 1 & band 2) and one rear sensor for each bank (bank 1 & bank 2) . The engines of today are using wide band air/fuel ratio sensors in place of the front o2 sensor, and these sensors can range anywhere between $500 - $1000. So, it is imperative that things be tested properly before parts are installed.

Thanks for the info!

oilcan13

You could have added:

Do not expect to use standard tools to replace most if not all such sensors. Depending on your location, seek to rent a tool from a local autoparts store. AutoZone, for example, has such a speciality tool rental program. You make a replacement deposit on the tool/kit, use the tool, return it and redeem your deposit (or not and buy the tool) -- net cost for returned tools? Zero. An O2/heated-O2 sensor tool should not run more than around 10-20 dollars.

Follow the directions of post #2 or pay a buck at the library for a diagram page from the manual.

After ascertaining the location of the sensor you could use a large type paper clip and spread the clip into a horse shoe shape , then slip each end of the clip into the connector along side the wires. This will bypass the sensor enabling you to test if the sensor actually is the trouble.

I had problems similar. I purchased an Auto Tap reader for under $200.00. I can check my on auto out, even a running check. It has saved me over $500. It comes with software for a lap top and has the cable too. jd

I have several suggestions: 1) Purchase a Honda OEM oxygen sensor from an on-line Honda dealer (you can get the Honda part number for the part diagrams) rather than a local parts store. The after part may not function like the Honda part or be as reliable or durable. Most aftermarket parts are of lower quality than Honda parts. 2) Purchase a Honda shop manual or an after market service manual that shows you how to replace the oxygen sensor. I am not familiar with the details of your model Honda, but I suspect the oxygen sensor is screwed into the exhaust manifold. You will certainly need a special oxygen sensor socket and may need a pneumatic wrench to remove the old sensor that I assume was installed at the factory. Make certain to apply anti-sieze compound on the threads of the new sensor.

Dennis Waller

Oxigen sensors tend to fail due dirty fuel systems...however, if you use a good gasoline, and it failed, it is normally located before the catalytic converter, just a few inches after the exhaust manifold reaches the point where all the pipes merge into one unique exhaust pipe. Look carefully at your exhaust system, you will find it.

In the same token, $300 for an O2 sensor is a rip off, check the aftermarket. A good sensor is normally around $80.

Let me know if this information helped, otherwise I will try to provide additional guidance.

Regards

HM.

The oxygen sensor is normally screwed into the exhaust manifold before AND/or after the catalytic converter... depending on if you have one or two of them. I'm going to guess you only have one. The below link is advance auto parts, they list OEM for $80 and universal for $67. Hope that helps. Oxygen Sensor

Hard to believe you did this and trusted the Honda dealer.

Why did you not go to your local repair shop and have them diagnose also?

Dealers like doctors only work well when a second or third opinion is made.

And am I to believe that dealers don't buy aftermarket, especially for a vehicle this old?

Then why do I see the Autozone, Advance Auto, and Carquest guys delivering to dealers?

Flex fuel engines are using wideband sensors and ethanol sensors to compensate for the high ethanol content of E85.

The federal (49 state) (non California) upstream 1993 Honda Civic VX NGK 24300 sensor is a wide band so it will not be replaceable by any of the low cost universal sensors. The NGK 24300 is $373 at Advance Auto. http://www.rockauto.com/ seems to have some sensors in your price range. You can buy from them or find a dealer carrying the same brand in your area.

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Part # SG335 Upstream Sensor; Fed. $57

DELPHI Part # ES10751 Front; 3 Door Exc California $172

The NGK 24300 crosses to SG335 at http://www.standardbrand.com/

The NGK 24300 crosses to ES10751 at http://go.delphi.com

Don't know if they work but you have some options. Now you need an oxygen sensor socket since standard sockets can't be used to remove oxygen sensors.