I coudlnt find a thread relating to this in the archive....kinda surprised but anyways.

Whats the diff between using a universal 02 versus the oem unit. I mean why pay 100$ more for oem?

Is there a difference aside from ease of install?

 

good question

 

there is really no difference other than you will always throw a CEL, and instead of having the clip in, u have to cut the clip on the engine wiring harness and twist wire it with the universal.

 

Explain why I'd throw a CEL??

If its just a connector I'll just solder the wires on.

 

would like to know also

 

As long as the universal is heated it shouldn't throw a CEL. You can just cut the harness off of your old O2 sensor and solder it onto the universal one.

 

Well ya and no...depends on if the original 02 sensor is heated 1st...second the CEL shouldnt be thrown as the 02 will work fine once it heats up from the exhaust right?

 

You get what you pay for.

At least in the long run

 

OK....but can you tell me what is different??

I dont seem to get a straight answer

 

there should be no difference i bought one and everything works great

the only thing i can think of is that you have to hard wire into the existing wires. Real easy though

Bosch universal 02

 

universal 4-wire O2 sensor = OEM 4-wire O2 sensor.

Been running a universal for about 15,000 miles now, wired it up myself. Not a single problem, and only $59 from http://www.oxygensensors.com.

 

Woot...thats more like it guys....what did you have to do? Cut the orignal wires and solder em on?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Daemione &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">universal 4-wire O2 sensor = OEM 4-wire O2 sensor.</TD></TR></TABLE>\
not true. different o2 sensors have different tips that cover the platinum sensor inside of it. the vents are arranged differently, spaced out further, or could possibly face the opposite direction. the direction/location of these vents is determined by how the exhaust flows.

my $.02. i learned that in a class i took called OBD2: Taming the Beast.

 

and if your gona solder them,use electrical solder so you dont change the resistance..im not sure about solder but sounds logical

 

the bosch o2 came with a special adapter to connect the wires from the existing harness to the bosch o2. i wouldnt sodder anything, i heard it can ruin the 02 sensor

 

OEM (NGK) vs. universal NTK one:

The tips are a little different . . . . so what? They're both designed to measure the exact same thing, and there are countless people using them with success.

The kit from http://www.oxygensensors.com comes with all the crimp connections you need. A little dab of solder on each one & you're set to go. You'd have to be a complete cluebag to damage the sensor by soldering the wires. If you feel like spending another $100, you can get an adapter harness.