Greetings all,

I recently purchase a 1992 Honda Prelude 4Wsi (H23A1 with manual transmission) and have a check engine light. I have followed the steps outlined elsewhere in the site and retrieved the following codes: 1 and 43.

The car runs and drives good, but when starting and intial idle, there is a strong gas smell. Guessing the fuel is rich. After the car warms up (typically 2-3 min at 3000+ RPM) I get the check engine light. Usually this is preceeded by the car "chugging" a little bit and then everything seems to be normal. I have pulled the fuse which resets the ECU/ECM and drove the car for about 40 miles. Check engine light still comes on.

Here is my question: I am planning a road trip to KS from TN and would like to know if I should be worried by this? I know if it is the Heated Oxygen sensor that my gas mileage will suffer but I want to make sure that I am not doing any long term damage to the car.

If I opted to replace the sensor, is this something that a non-mechanic /mechaniclly minded person could do? Is a universal sensor ok or should I go with a more expensive OEM?

I have several manuals for the car, but none of them show where the actual sensor is located on the H23A1 motor. The H22 has the sensor located on the exhaust manafold, but I cannot located the sensor on my car.

Additionally, on a different note, I have read in several other forums about users putting 2-3 oz of acetone / 10 gal of fuel in their tank to increase fuel mileage. I have not done this yet and would be interested in feedback from Honda owners on this.

Thank you for your help.

 

Well - it does that because its in closed loop - where it needs the o2 sensor.

I may be mistaking - so don't carve this in stone ; however, i don't think the o2 sensor is a heated o2 sensor.

You have an obdI car, so it just has one o2 sensor. OBDII cars have two o2 sensors - one for fuel , and the other is for catalytic converter efficiency.

Uh, you should be fine driving like that; however, whenever you get time - make sure you replace the sensor. Might as well go oem. Or whatever is best.

Here's a suggestion though. You have to think outside the box on this one - try to find out WHY the o2 sensor actually failed. Maybe its because you're running hella rich? Maybe its because you're burning oil? It could be a million things. But try to diagnose the problem so it doesn't happen again. Good luck with everything.

A helpful tool would be to have a 5-gas analyzer. You could find out where to start.

 

yeah it should be a 4 wire heated O2 sensor but a new one will get rid of code 43 for you and it will set you back about $100 and 10 min.