O2 sensors brand

[John_Smith]

I have been doing some research into the Pre-Cat O2 sensor (part number: 11781427884). There are few articles on the internet that mentioned that it is not advisable to use equivalent O2 sensors as it may cost damage to the cat, which is more expensive.http://www.dvatp.com/bmw/diy/oxygen_sensors/http://www.bmwe36blog.com/2007/07/02/everything-you-need-to-know-about-oxygen-sensor/Anyway, I have just called Eng Soon and BA. According to them, the only O2 brand that they carry is Hella which cost about SGD 160 and RM500 respectively. They no longer bring in Siemens (whc is the ori) and mentioned that Hella is from Germany (which i supposed is OEM).Anyone who has any experience in using this Hella O2 sensor? What are your thoughts on this?

 

[ersalle]

I'm using them now, changed few months back ago due to error code found from diagnostic and high fuel consumption also, bought it from eng soon. For E36 328i malaysian version theres only pre-cat 02 sensor. Hella is the OEM so far its ok no problem or what so ever on my car. For your info also, the actual sensor from hella is not from germany but its actually made from JAPAN for HELLA. So long as OEM there shouldnt be any problem in my opinion.

 

[Alex5522]

http://www.bmwpartsweb.com/BMW-Part...after-cat)__11781433940-BOSCH-ID-F109263.aspx

 

[John_Smith]

So, ersalle, did the fault code just go away after replacing the sensors?
The problem that I faced was the fault code (202 and 203 for cylinder bank 1-3 and 4-6 respectively) is coming out, but can be erased and will come back several days later.
I haven't face high fuel consumption yet, but I would not want to wait until high consumption then only change (with petrol getting expensive now).

http://www.bmwpartsweb.com/BMW-Part...after-cat)__11781433940-BOSCH-ID-F109263.aspx

This part is for E46... I don't think it will fit E36 M52 engine as it is of different part number.

 

[ersalle]

Well after replacing the 02 sensor you need to reset the fault with the diagnostic tool and yes it will go away. Anyway i browse somewhere just now and found out your fault 202 and 203, fault code 202(cylinder bank 1-3) is LAMBDA REGULATION(FUEL TRIM) LIMIT EXCEEDED:BANK 1 and 203 also the same limit exceeded for cyl 4-6. To summarize, it is saying that the air/fuel mixture has exceeded the normal operating limits because your 02 sensor is faulty, replacing the 02 sensor should clear all the faults present for it. To me before it damages the catalytic convertor its better to change it. Other symptoms for faulty 02 is not only high fuel consumption(if you are heavy footed surely you wont notice it hehehe), sluggish acceleration and also exhaust fumes smell unburned petrol.

Heres the link which i checked for the fault code http://www.autolib.diakom.ru/CARS2/pribor/cs1000/manual/cs1000_bmw.pdf
and for our cars look under U11-MS41.0/MS41.1, M52, S52US/B32

 

[John_Smith]

So far, my fuel consumption is ok. I don't get sluggish acceleration, but I get the error codes appearing on the diagnostic tool. Anyway, I've bought the o2 sensors last weekend already. I will change em this weekend. I will also try to ask the mechanic to measure the Vdc across them. If Bentley service manual is correct, I won't be getting 0.2 - 0.7 Vdc, if the sensors gone bonkers.

 

[ersalle]

Ahhh i see u got bentley manual as a guide also hehehehe, changing the O2 sensor needs to jack up the car high to get to them. Car on the ground impossible to do it,Good luck!

 

[John_Smith]

Yea, I have the softcopy of Bentley Manual.

Anyway, I have changed the O2 sensors already. I had a look at the old sensors... they are made by NTK as well (same as the Hella brand that I bought). Saw NTK, siemens and BMW imprints on them. The old O2 sensors condition looks like "burned" metal.

New ones...

 

[IanDaddy]

Hi John,

Can get a copy of your Bentley manual ?

Thanks

 

[John_Smith]

Hi John,

Can get a copy of your Bentley manual ?

Thanks

Sent to your PM.