Bosch = Denso = Bosch?

[orezok]

About 6 months ago, my 2000 Camry 4 cyl started to lose mileage. It had 180K so I thought I would replace the upstream O2 sensor (original). I bought a Bosch unit and installed it. Just recently I got a P0420 code indicating cat problems. I ran a check with my Digimoto and was not able to get any reading from the "new" sensor. Having heard that Bosch sensors are problematic and are prone to early failure, I bought a Denso sensor.

Pulled out the old Bosch and compared it to the new Denso. It looked identical in every way. I checked the numbers stamped on the sensor in 2 places and they were exactly the same.

So who's making the sensors now? Bosch, Denso or some generic brand from China. Both came sealed in original boxes from a quality supplier. The only difference between the 2 was that the Bosch had blue anti-seize factory installed on the threads, the Denso came with a packet of bronze colored anti-seize for me to install.


Hmmmmm...

[Venom_5]

dont forget you cant see the internals....or the build process & materials

they should look the same, since they should both fit your car - now shouldnt they?

[orezok]

Venom - did you perhaps read the part that said they had the exact same numbers stamped on them at 2 different places?

[Venom_5]

yes ... do you know what the numbers are? because they could be the # that identifies that the part is for your specific application, in which case they should be the same - like i said

[orezok]

Originally Posted by Venom_5

yes ... do you know what the numbers are? because they could be the # that identifies that the part is for your specific application, in which case they should be the same - like i said

If you really really believe that two different manufacturers, one in Germany, one in Japan use the exact same part numbers - then I have a bridge you'll probably be interested in!

[ECale3]

denso definately does not = bosch. that's really all that needs to be said.

[Bear95]

I went through the same thing with Bosch o2 sensors. I purchased OEM from Toyotaparts.com and even @ the wholesale price they were more expensive than all the ones that the zone sells. The OEM sensors look like they are made of heaver/more expensive material and are slightly larger than the Bosch. Oh yea, I gained 5MPG increase after I installed them. I am an advocate of OEM parts and they are the only ones that I use, including oil filters.
Aftermarket parts are cheaper for a reason. And although you can purchase Denso aftermarket, they are of lower quality than the OEM ones that they produce for Toyota. They have to make them competive with Bosch in price and quaility suffers.
Bear95

[toyomoho]

Bosch is headquarted in Tokyo Japan. Denso and Bosch are two differant corporations.