Delivery Driver's Problems ('96 Civic CX ... seeking advice)

[HeadlesNorseman]

I cheap out on a lot of parts, but the o2 sensor is not something you want to cheap out on. get a real one from honda or online if it goes bad again. The d series motors are pretty sensitive to the 02 sensor. And if you have a vx/vtec-e motor you HAVE to get the real o2 sensor or the lean burn system will not work nearly as well

[Fat Charlie]

There's cheaping out and then there's cheaping out. OE is the best way to go with O2 sensors, but when you're shopping aftermarket you can look for "OE style" or sometimes "actual OE part." You're not going all that far out on a limb with those listings.

[96CX]

I ordered a Bosch sensor. They're good as far as I know.

[Fat Charlie]

Bosch is an excellent brand and I have a lot of respect for them. My question is do you have an exact match for the OE O2 sensor or do you have a high quality sensor that isn't the exact spec?

I just jumped into the Napa and Federated catalogs and they're both showing Denso as the OE listing and Bosch as a universal that will work. If you were in at my shop for repair you woudn't even hear the word Bosch, as good a brand as they are.

[tvbd56]

I'm glad I came upon this thread, I have a 98 civic ex and I'm in a similar situation that you're in. I unplugged and replugged the o2 sensor and ran the car and got a p0420. I took off the heat shield to find the exhaust manifold cracked.

I'm thinking of going to a pick and pull and getting a replacement manifold and o2 sensor but I'm not sure if that's going to work. Maybe if yours is cracked you could try that and save some $$$

[PaleMelanesian]

I'd guess many of the junkyard ones will be cracked as well. The aftermarket one I bought wasn't too expensive - 150 or so. Except for rusted bolts () it's a straightforward replacement.

[96CX]

I got my O2 sensor installed yesterday-- I borrowed the special socket from a local repair shop (thanks, Bruce's Auto), and no more check-engine light!

I probably would have bought a Denso if I had realized they were the OE part, but I knew Bosch made good stuff, and the price was reasonable. Installation went as easily as could possibly be expected. Very straightforward.

[96CX]

Hey, sorry I've been AWOL for ages, but some updates:

I've been getting a lot better at using DFCO, and I've been shifting early (a lot of times I'm into 5th at 25mph!)....short story short, I've recorded over 45mpg for my last three tanks!

I'm super happy about this, especially since I ran the numbers and realized that I'm saving $30-40 a month compared to what I would be spending at 34mpg.

I also just swapped out my winter/snow/studded tires for my summer tires. I'm currently running them at 36psi, and I can tell that the Civic coasts significantly better/longer/faster. My co-worker keeps bugging me about when I'm finally going to come in and tell him I've gotten 50mpg by "driving like a grandma". Maybe one of these days....

[nemo]

Originally Posted by 96CX

I've recorded over 45mpg for my last three tanks!

[MetroMPG]

Congrats on the improvement.

I like to project financial savings out a little further than monthly to see the bigger picture impact: $35-$40 per month = $2100-$2400 every 5 years.