Is there anything I should know about extending o2 wires? or is it really as simple as buying some wires, splicing a longer section, and sautering it all back together?

 

its a little harder to solder because they usually have high temp wires and the solder doesn't like it. You will need a very good hot gun to do this. or crimp them together with butt conn.

 

Yeah, I would crimp it, not solder it. If the solder heats too much it'll crack.

Crimp and heatshrink ftw.

 

Ok, I was always under the impression that extending O2 wires was a really bad thing to do since the voltages and resistances created by the O2 are so critical that adding extra wire to the factory ones can really screw things up.

If that really is the case, using butt connectors is probably the WORST way to extend the wires. If I were you I'd do some reading up on the subject before doing this. I can't remember where I saw this, but it makes a lot of sense.

I deal with a lot of thermocouples in my job, and they work using the same principle as an O2 sensor. There are all kinds of warnings in the instructions that tell you not to alter the length of the factory wiring because it can mess up the readings. The lengths of the wires off those is set from the factory for a reason. They have a predetermined resistance, and the sensor is designed to work with that in mind. Just my $.02

 

I've done it, and haven't had any issues.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Syndacate &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah, I would crimp it, not solder it. If the solder heats too much it'll crack.

Crimp and heatshrink ftw.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If that wire is heating up to the point where solder would crack/melt, I don't think heat shrink is going to do any better. Actually, if it's heating up that much there's a serious problem.

 

They sell O2 sensor wire extenders if you don't want to mess with cutting and splicing. But I cut and spliced my friend's sensor to extend it without problems.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IslandSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ok, I was always under the impression that extending O2 wires was a really bad thing to do since the voltages and resistances created by the O2 are so critical that adding extra wire to the factory ones can really screw things up.

If that really is the case, using butt connectors is probably the WORST way to extend the wires. If I were you I'd do some reading up on the subject before doing this. I can't remember where I saw this, but it makes a lot of sense.

I deal with a lot of thermocouples in my job, and they work using the same principle as an O2 sensor. There are all kinds of warnings in the instructions that tell you not to alter the length of the factory wiring because it can mess up the readings. The lengths of the wires off those is set from the factory for a reason. They have a predetermined resistance, and the sensor is designed to work with that in mind. Just my $.02</TD></TR></TABLE>

While it's true that any physics equation you plug values into will show power discrepancies depending on how long the wire is, and how sensitive to power the oxygen sensor is, it COULD create problems - it won't.

As long as you use the same gauge wire (approx 16 IIRC) it'll be fine.

Sometimes you have to ignore the physics part of life .

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IslandSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If that wire is heating up to the point where solder would crack/melt, I don't think heat shrink is going to do any better. Actually, if it's heating up that much there's a serious problem.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's not true, it's right above the exhaust. The constant heating/cooling of solder can cause it to crack. This would happen every time your car reached standard operating temperature, then shut it off for 2+ hours.

 

just do it. you wont have any issues. solder/crimp the way you would to any wire. no special anything

 

Hahahaha ok, But just in case, where would I find an "o2 Wire Extending Kit"? cuz I was just gonna cut and splice but if someone has done the math for me then, meh, I might just go for it.

 

i doubt they sell "o2 wire extension kits" but if you go to napa/autozone/ your local speed-shop. find a gauge wire thats similar to your 02 setup, pick up a pack of shrink wrap and your set (no math, no solder cracking or anything)