O2 sensors: What's the difference?

[KChurch86]

I've decided to go ahead and change out my front O2 sensors. They got a little trashed last weekend during disassembly and I don't want to install the old ones just to find out that they're no good and need to be replaced anyway.

Since I'm installing the DT headers, and at least the passenger-side front O2 wire needs to be lengthened...it got me thinking:

Is there ANY difference between the front O2 sensors other than the wire length? Can I just buy 2 "front left" O2 sensors and install one in the left header and one in the right header?

 

[KChurch86]

I should note, I know well-enough the differences between how upstream and downstream sensors gather their readings...but both upstream sensors are 3-wire, and both downstream sensors are 4-wire...and as far as I can guess, both upstream sensors would be registering the same readings, as would both downstream sensors. It makes sense to me that other than wire length, upstream bank 1 and bank 2 sensors would be interchangeable, same with downstream bank 1 & 2 sensors.

Anybody care to drop any knowledge on this?

 

[Xterraforce]

If I was at work I'd take a look. Many O2 sensors will actually have the exact same part number on the sensor itself. The difference is in the wire length and connector style. As long as the number on the metal part is the same and the connectors match, I would think they would deliver the same readings.

 

[KChurch86]

That's my thought as well. They look identical left to right, whether it be upstream or downstream...and it's not like one side of an engine is going to produce any different exhaust gasses than the other...

 

[Prime]

That's an interesting thought. Seeing as how I threw a CEL at nXm because of one of the downstream sensors (probably the old one I kept) I might just order another drivers side downstream and find out.

 

[mac11]

That's an interesting thought. Seeing as how I threw a CEL at nXm because of one of the downstream sensors (probably the old one I kept) I might just order another drivers side downstream and find out.

ha, you too?

I got a CEL for bank 2 sensor 2 when I got off the e-way on my way TO nXm. THAT is when the engine started running smoothly and my fuel mileage went up.

 

[Xterraforce]

I checked the specifications for both O2 sensors. They're both narrow band heated sensors with an output signal range of 0.2 to 0.8 volt. Everything listed is an exact match except wire length.

 

[KChurch86]

I checked the specifications for both O2 sensors. They're both narrow band heated sensors with an output signal range of 0.2 to 0.8 volt. Everything listed is an exact match except wire length.

Thanks a ton man. Definitely buying 2 front driver's side...which is bank 2 yes?

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Xterraforce]

Yep, driver side on our Xterras is bank 2.

 

[Silver dude]

If you don't mind reusing connectors. I'd just get the one without connectors. 3 wire universal sensors are cheaper.

 

[KChurch86]

If you don't mind reusing connectors. I'd just get the one without connectors. 3 wire universal sensors are cheaper.

Another helpful piece of info...thanks for that, man. I'll see what I can find.

 

[KChurch86]

Yep, driver side on our Xterras is bank 2.

So, here's a question. RockAuto calls them "left" or "right". How are they looking at them?

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[Muadeeb]

Left and right are always from the drivers point of view, while sitting in the vehicle. Left is driver side for us, passenger for Brits

Sent via wild ferrets on crack

 

[KChurch86]

Left and right are always from the drivers point of view, while sitting in the vehicle. Left is driver side for us, passenger for Brits

Sent via wild ferrets on crack

Maybe it's just me, but I've never seen this many discrepancies in the way parts are described. One maker calls the part "this", the other maker calls the same part "that".

Thanks man. 2 upstream left bank 2 etc. etc. etc. however else they wanna put it O2 sensors it is.

 

[Xterraforce]

It gets pretty confusing. From working in the auto parts business I've learned the description of a part can vary by however many companies make that part. The one thing that stays the same though is left and right are always as seen from being in the vehicle facing forward.

Oxygen sensors can become even more confusing in a front wheel drive car with a transverse (mounted sideway as we usually say) engine. One manufacturer will refer to them as bank 1 and bank 2, another will refer to them as front or rear, meaning front or rear of the engine compartment and confusing people thinking they're asking upstream or downstream, then another manufacturer will still refer to them as left or right but in this case meaning left or right side of the engine with the end where the belts are being considered the front. It's almost funny when you see a list of sensors with descriptions like "rear-front and front-rear."

 

[KChurch86]

It gets pretty confusing. From working in the auto parts business I've learned the description of a part can vary by however many companies make that part. The one thing that stays the same though is left and right are always as seen from being in the vehicle facing forward.

Oxygen sensors can become even more confusing in a front wheel drive car with a transverse (mounted sideway as we usually say) engine. One manufacturer will refer to the as bank 1 and bank 2, another will refer to them as front or rear, meaning front or rear of the engine compartment and confusing people thinking they're asking upstream or downstream, then another manufacturer will still refer to them as left or right but in this case meaning left or right side of the engine with the end where the belts are being considered the front. It's almost funny when you see a list of sensors with descriptions like "rear-front and front-rear."

Oy vey, I can imagine the headache.


I ordered NTK's, 2 upstream left, and 1 each downstream left and right. I don't want to have to touch anything in my exhaust system for a good long while, and with 4 new O2 sensors this will mean every single last bit in the exhaust system has been replaced in the last ~5 months.

 

[Muadeeb]

I prefer 'left/right' for a normal engine like ours, and banks for anything transverse. Bank 1 is always the side with cylinder 1. Different mfrs will put cylinder 1 on different sides, but it is always bank 1.