Bosch Universal Fit O2 sensors

[pureliquidhw]

Has anyone run into issues with these? Do they bolt in still or do i need to weld them in? Is there a reason not to replace both of them as part of a 90,000 Mile tune-up?

From the pictures on rockauto it looks like all i need to do is splice the wires from the old one, no special tools required, except for the possibility of needing the special socket?

 

[ghettoracingkid]

I would and did spend the money to get the OEM ones,

 

[pureliquidhw]

Is there a reason to not get Bosch sensors? They are the cheapest for both the OEM and universal.

 

[ghettoracingkid]

I didnt mean the mazda ones from teh dealer but the OEM from bosch. I got mine for liek $75 a piece. It was worth teh piece of mind knowing they will fit and I dont have to do anything other then plug them in.

 

[mp3-79bronco]

the oem bosch and the universal bosch are the same sensor just the oem already has the plug on it...

get the universal... and just solder 4 wires... its 25 cheaper than the one with the plug

 

[Megazuel]

Go with a direct fit, application specific sensor. Universals are no fun. You may have no problem, but you just introduced four points of resistance in the wiring to the sensor. Soldering is a no-no on wiring anymore, almost every OEM has gone to weatherproof heat shrink butt connectors, the issue being moisture in the solder joints causing internal corrosion. And if you have a choice, for a few bucks more I would buy a Standard or NGK (NTK) O2 sensor. I have used many of all three on many different makes and models, and Bosch is my least favorite. Their application guide sucks, the connectors aren't right half the time, the lengths are wrong half the time, they just suck, like most everything else made by Bosch (ie Bosch +4 plugs, every Bosch made module in every VW, volvo and Benz). Just my opinion, again you may have no issue using a universal sensor, but I would personally never even offer one of my customers a "universal" sensor as a fix for their vehicle.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

i think I couldn't disagree with you more. the bosch platnium + series plugs SUCK. anything gapless... is suspect in my book... and moving the spark off of center is just stupid... may as well make a cylender that isn't round... I've been running a bosch universal O2 which I butt-connected and shrinkwrapped to the OEM harness. It resolved my CEL and hasn't been a problem for about 10K miles now... why people would be willing to pay $25 or more to save 10 minutes worth of work, I'll never understand... (unless you're worth more than that and are giving up hours at work to do the job... then I totally agree)

 

[Pro5.0]

I say go with exact fit. I got the bosch exact fit last weekend and it installed perfectly. Time will tell on reliability.
I have never heard of the exact fit causing any problems. However, I have heard of issues with the universal...namely the soldering and moisture issue brought up earlier. Don't get me wrong, I've heard positive too, it is much cheaper, but I'd rather just plug it in and be done with it.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

I say go with exact fit. I got the bosch exact fit last weekend and it installed perfectly. Time will tell on reliability.
I have never heard of the exact fit causing any problems. However, I have heard of issues with the universal...namely the soldering and moisture issue brought up earlier. Don't get me wrong, I've heard positive too, it is much cheaper, but I'd rather just plug it in and be done with it.

to me... thats the idiots who don't know what they're doing blaming the sensor for their poor craftsmanship....

bottom line, if you know what you're doing, save the money, if you don't, go with the plug n play version.

 

[slavrenz]

to me... thats the idiots who don't know what they're doing blaming the sensor for their poor craftsmanship....

bottom line, if you know what you're doing, save the money, if you don't, go with the plug n play version.

I agree with this, but I disagree with going with the Bosch O2 sensors. I have had one (direct fit) fail on my car after 2,000 miles, and 2 (universal) ones fail on other family members' vehicles after only a few thousand miles.

Besides, the OP talked about replacing both sensors. You only need to replace the front sensor unless you have a CEL, so he might as well use the extra money to get the direct fit sensor and peace of mind.

 

[mp3-79bronco]

i solder and then heatshrink over it...so i dont see how its gonna corrode...

 

[pureliquidhw]

i solder and then heatshrink over it...so i dont see how its gonna corrode...

Internal moisture, but the heat shrink might prevent any bonus oxygen from getting in.

I don't need to replace the downstream O2 as part of a tuneup? I'm guessing that the Upstream works the fuel mixture and the downstream is emissions check only? if that's the case thanks a million for saving me 50 bucks!

 

[Megazuel]

i think I couldn't disagree with you more. the bosch platnium + series plugs SUCK. anything gapless... is suspect in my book... and moving the spark off of center is just stupid... may as well make a cylender that isn't round... I've been running a bosch universal O2 which I butt-connected and shrinkwrapped to the OEM harness. It resolved my CEL and hasn't been a problem for about 10K miles now... why people would be willing to pay $25 or more to save 10 minutes worth of work, I'll never understand... (unless you're worth more than that and are giving up hours at work to do the job... then I totally agree)

Like I said, you may have no issues using a universal. You made the proper connections and it works, thats great. Then again, a bad crimp or solder could have you chasing a problem later that could have been prevented for a few bucks more the first time. Its all about how confident you are in your repair ability and what you feel your time is worth. I know the U/S O2 on the P5 isn't cheap and no one wants to spend more than they have to. Some may find cutting wiring and splicing isn't something they want to do, and from the professional side, I see it as one more point where a problem may develop, which I try to avoid at all costs.

 

[shane02pro5]

If you can't solder 4 wires and shrink some heat shrink tubing you should not even be popping the hood in the first place!? Or walking and chewing gum for that matter!

 

[Pro5.0]

Lol Shane...If it weren't so expensive to have a shop fix my car I'd have them do it, but it's worth the savings. I'm the type that just wants to get in, fix it, and be done with it. I don't want to spend any more time than I have to.

 

[shane02pro5]

I guess I can understand...sorry if I was a bit harsh

I replaced my 02 with a univ bosch which is the exact same sensor as oem and going on 80k miles since it was replaced.

 

[el_Don]

I replaced mine with a universal about 20,000 miles ago. No problem still to this day.

 

[pureliquidhw]

Looks like i'll go with a universal, with electrical tape

but seriously, I'm not throwing codes, but my MPG is down a bit lately. If a downstream won't help but for emissions, then I won't put it in. Is that the case?

 

[Megazuel]

Looks like i'll go with a universal, with electrical tape

but seriously, I'm not throwing codes, but my MPG is down a bit lately. If a downstream won't help but for emissions, then I won't put it in. Is that the case?

The downstream is only for cat monitoring on the P5, nothing to due with the mixture.

 

[shane02pro5]

An 02 sensor is like a switch so when they go they're gone...it's not a gradual thing that is barely throwing things off.