Front O2 Sensor problem

[base9se]

Ever since the N1 duals have been installed, the front O2 sensor goes bad(which turns on the check engine light ) about every 3 months. The part is warrantied for a year, but I just hate changing it every 3 months. Does this happen often because of an exhaust upgrade? Do I need to upgrade the ECU? Oh yeah, the exhaust have been on for a little over 2 years.

[s13sr20chris]

that is rare but possible. what kind of o2 sensor? aftermarket like a bosch or something? that could be the cause as well.

[base9se]

Factory O2 sensor from the dealer.

[s13sr20chris]

bizzarro. if your front o2 is going out that much something is wrong with it. is it positioned on the underside of the pipe now? or same old place. if it points down water will splash on it and crack the ceramic.

[BadMojo]

I think my car is running very rich, especially at startup, due to a bad coolant temperature sensor. Would any condition that causes the vehicle to run extremely rich foul an O2 sensor relatively quickly? Could this be part of the problem hear?

I've already replaced my O2 sensor (admittedly not with an OE part...Bosch) and I think the replacement unit is beginning to fail.

[s13sr20chris]

yeah, a serious rich prob will foul an o2 sensor. bosch o2 sensors are a bad idea if it is a true bosch. i have seen a few bosch boxes with ntk sensors in them(i swear). i dunno how that happens. i think maybe retail bosch parts are diff then the real deal.

[BadMojo]

yeah, a serious rich prob will foul an o2 sensor. bosch o2 sensors are a bad idea if it is a true bosch. i have seen a few bosch boxes with ntk sensors in them(i swear). i dunno how that happens. i think maybe retail bosch parts are diff then the real deal.

This one was an off the shelf Bosch unit, but if it takes a crap, I'll replace it with OE. I'm going to replace my coolant temp sensor first and see if that solves my running rich. I'm pretty convinced this is what killed *my* first O2 sensor (OBDI KA24DE, no rear sensor for me).

My probable coolant temp sensor problem manifests as hard starts on a cold engine along with a strong fuel smell once it finally starts. My O2 sensor problem showed up as a slight hesitation between 2500-3000 RPMs.

Not sure if any of this helps, but this is what I've been working with lately.