Oxygen sensors? They worth the money?

[SeanM]

I just wanted to know if anyone has ever replaced/upgraded their oxygen sensors and what power gains(if any) they recieved....I would like any helpful pluses or minuses....I am thinking about getting Bosch oxygen sensors, primarily because my truck has over 80k on it and as I am getting a chip (that is as soon as I can find a place to get headers) which gives power by controlling air/fuel ratio and firing times for plugs, I figure making sure that the O2 sensors were giving the right readings was probably a worthwhile thing to do. Thanks guys....

Sean
_____________________________________
'95 XLT 4x4 4.0L OHV V6
Flowmaster 40 series Cat-back
K&N FIPK
Bosch 4+ Platinum plugs
Splitfire Ignition wires

 

[Ru Dawg]

new O2 sensor

Well I don't know how much a "better" O2 sensor can do for you, but I do know that when I replaced the O2 sensor on my wife's car the thing ran 10X better that before..and that was using an OEM replacement sensor...So I would guess that a Bosch sensor will definetly make your engine run better (at least because it's a new sensor). Ya might wanna look in the "under the hood" section...there might be a thread about sensors/sensor replacement

 

[Brett]

I'm moving this topic to the "Under the Hood" section.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Sean,
The O2 sensors are just that, sensors. They do not increase power. they merely give feedback to the computer that runs your engine. They can, when going bad give incorrect readings, thus causing the computer to try and adjust fuel, air and timing levels to compansate and you get poor power and gas mileage. They do go out. I had 2 go out on my Explorer already(1 at 90k the other at 109K miles). One the check engine light came on. The other, it did not, but engine analisis showed it going bad. When it was changed out, I got a 2MPG increase. I didn't know that it was going bad. Are the bosch any better than Ford? I don't know. The Ford tech told me they usually start to go out at around 90k.
Since you already have 80K, you could change them out just as a prevenative measure. It wouldn't hurt. Hope this helps.

 

[Turner55]

how hard are they to change?

 

[Chris Jella']

Turner,
I just changed both on my 93 last week. The one on the drivers side is a breeze, with plenty of room to work. The one on the passenger side was a bit of a pain. I have the socket for removing them, but it's so long, I couldn't use it on the passenger side. I ended up using a cresent wrench on that one, and thank goodness it broke loose easily. I have seen some that anti-seize wasn't used and they will weld themselves the exhaust pipe. The hardest part was getting to the plug where they plug into the wiring harness. They are behind the valve covers, between them and the firewall. Long arms with small hands are needed!! After you install the sensors, fish the wires up toward where they plug in, then grab them from the top to plug them in. Not too hard, but I sure did cuss a bit!!
Don't quote me, but I recall seeing more than once that the sensors are made by Bosch for Ford.
CJ

 

[flyguy]

They are. If you open the ford box it say bosch all over it. So... dont expect super sensors or anything. but.. i would recommend replacing them if you have alot of miles. The ones on my 94 were out.. and have been out for awhile aparently... because I just replaced them... APARENTLY... 12 miles to the gallon is not standard! I now get 18 going uphill freeway with AC on...

nick

 

[ExplorGM]

Ditto!

I replace mine two weeks ago, and my freeway mileage went from 14 to 17mpg over night.(107K miles) City mileage has not increased as dramatically probably because of the 33" tires (diameter/weight).
Rick