Error Code 33 - O2 Sensor - Tips for Replacement?

[gtd65]

Car: Nissan 240SX SEYear: 1995

The check engine light came on last week and the fuel consumption appears to have increased.

A trip to the local Autozone confirmed that there was a problem in the form of Error Code 33, which I am led to believe is the O2 sensor.

Just wondering how difficult it is to change this item – any special tools needed etc?

According to one suppliers site they recommend changing this part every 12 months!

I assume this is the first time in 10 years - and that's more than enough!

Any tips on the swap out process?

Also, where is the cheapest place to source and is there any difference in quality between the brands available?

Thanks in advance

[3Q Jay]

you can get internet pricing of $103 for an oem part.the nut size is 7/8".above all else, i recommend you get an O2 sensor socket, with the slit down the side.i just did this on my daughter's 95 alty [also a ka24de] as part of my 10 year maintenance program. i must confess, this was the only aspect of the work including waterpump, starter, and underplenum hozes that i punted on.what happened was the amount of sensor nut material and the clearance between the sensor and the outer sleeve means you may get only one chance. I actually got mine 1/2 a turn, but then rounded off too much and was stuck. so, i paid about $110 [including a new sensor to exh mani sensor sleeve] to have the job finished.

the guy i took it to took the heatshield off to get more access.

if i had to do it all over again, i would have...1) just whacked the end of the old sensor off to begin with2) 'liqud wrench' the crap out of it3) used a thinwall 6 point socket [no slit] to remove the old one.

be sure you use anti-seize liberally on the threads of the new one.

hope you succeed in doing this one yourself!

PS- code 33 is the front heated O2 sensor, as you have been told.

[s13sr20chris]

you can get internet pricing of $103 for an oem part.the nut size is 7/8".above all else, i recommend you get an O2 sensor socket, with the slit down the side.i just did this on my daughter's 95 alty [also a ka24de] as part of my 10 year maintenance program. i must confess, this was the only aspect of the work including waterpump, starter, and underplenum hozes that i punted on.what happened was the amount of sensor nut material and the clearance between the sensor and the outer sleeve means you may get only one chance. I actually got mine 1/2 a turn, but then rounded off too much and was stuck. so, i paid about $110 [including a new sensor to exh mani sensor sleeve] to have the job finished.

the guy i took it to took the heatshield off to get more access.

if i had to do it all over again, i would have...1) just whacked the end of the old sensor off to begin with2) 'liqud wrench' the crap out of it3) used a thinwall 6 point socket [no slit] to remove the old one.

be sure you use anti-seize liberally on the threads of the new one.

hope you succeed in doing this one yourself!

PS- code 33 is the front heated O2 sensor, as you have been told.

all that is dead on. if its a rear o2 sensor it may be 17mm(rare).

[gtd65]

Thanks for the replies guys

The price at Autozone is $60 which sounds very reasonable but my GF called around and they have a "single wire" Bosche replacement part which supposedly fits for something like $17 at Discount Auto Parts!

This seems very cheap indeed but if it does the job thats good enough for me.

I'll get a link to the part number from the GF when she comes on line in about 7 hours - I'm slightly out of town right now....

[DAEDALUS]

If the original isn't a single wire then don't get it. I'd guess yours is heated. You want that heating element to get it working faster so you get better gas mileage sooner.

[gtd65]

Yeah I was looking at the photos of the sensors and I am sure it is a 3 wire as standard.

The single wire version is as follows:

Bosch 11027 Oxygen Sensor: Universal; Single Wire

I'm thinking of replacing the O2 sensor on my mothers Mazda 121 (Similar to Ford Aspire but with trunk) but can't seem to find any info on which one fits. The US prices are so much cheaper than the UK prices where she has the car. For US$17 I think I'd take the option of the single wire to see if it improves her gas mileage which is a woeful 26mpg

Are O2 sensors fairly standard components?

Also, as the car is in Florida, where engines heat up very quickly, is the single wire version OK - or do u have to use the 3 wire variety?

Just looking for the most effective solution at the end of the day