well I have a question about the o2 sensor for my 90civic Si. It's manily in storage and for the past 3-5k miles or so the check engine light has been on after a while of driving. I checked and it pulled code 1.

My quesiton is that is it safe and ok to keep driving with a bad o2 sensor?
*i heard that if the o2 sensor is out than it will tell the ECU to run 10-15% richer. Is that true?

 

I'm fairly positive you're correct, it's the same as if you didn't have the o2 plugged in at all so it runs in (open or closed, can't remember) loop mode and will run the engine richer to make sure you don't go lean.

If I was you I'd just get it taken care of ASAP, during the day go to Autozone and buy a bosch one wire universal O2 sensor for $23.99. Also give them $15.00 and rent the O2 sensor tool, you get your $15.00 back when you give it back.

 

I agree with the other guy. get the O2 fixed asap.

 

i'm not too happy with the bosch one wire 02 that i got for b16 manifold, i had to purchase 2 of them. first couple weeks ran perfect. Even solved my emissions problems. But after a month or so, i started to get a bog going on freeways at constant speeds from 65+ and i get this smelly gas odor likes it's running too rich or something. i might have to change it again. I think they went bad after awhile.
Next time, i'll try NGK.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by beta13 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm fairly positive you're correct, it's the same as if you didn't have the o2 plugged in at all so it runs in (open or closed, can't remember) loop mode and will run the engine richer to make sure you don't go lean.

If I was you I'd just get it taken care of ASAP, during the day go to Autozone and buy a bosch one wire universal O2 sensor for $23.99. Also give them $15.00 and rent the O2 sensor tool, you get your $15.00 back when you give it back. </TD></TR></TABLE>

what tool do you need?
I always though it was just a wrench/socket to get it out of the bung.

 

I'm using a bosch one wire O2 sensor for the primary on my B16... no problems as of yet, about 1 month later

 

o2 sensor tools are great for making a mess. use a 7/8" deep well socket or a 7/8" wrench

 

Ha yeah, if the tool doesn't work it really doesn't work. It's a long socket that has a slot in it for the wire to come out. This is all great until you need a lot of torque to get the sensor out and that slot allows the socket to expand and slip giving you a nice stripped sensor.

 

I'm using a Bosch o2 sensor also, and I've been getting a code 41, which is a heater problem in the o2 sensor circuit, but I'm pretty sure I just wired it wrong or something.

But in terms of your question as to a bad o2 sensor, I believe that if it goes bad, or throws a code, that the car goes into a default a/f ratio set in the ECU, instead of the o2 sensor readings determining the a/f ratio..

But this might be only if it throws a code.. if it's actually not working, but just giving you poor a/f ratios, I suggest replacing it with an OEM o2 sensor. Yeah, its 50 bucks more because it comes with the harness and all, but hey, it'll atleast work, unlike most universal o2 sensors. Just my .02

 

I'm sorry but wire is wire, paying the extra $20 to have a pre-made one with a harness is just ridiculous in my book. Universal spliced properly to old harness and soldered will work just as good as the OEM style one any day.

 

well i got a bosh OEM spec o2 sensor for $47 bux. i''ll keep you posted to see if that solves my code 1/cel light.

 

I have never had a problem with a bosch O2 sensor in years. I've even used junkyard O2s without any problems.
Every time someone complains about problems, i cant help but picture people with wires twisted together wrapped in electrical tape