Need help finding right oxygen sensor

[spannuta]

First time poster, but I have been reading threads here for a few weeks. Some great help and advice hear. I thank you all in advance.

Have a 99' Camry (Gen 4) V6 3.0L. Recently had a P0135 trouble code (Bank 1 Sensor 1) which from my reading, I learned means the oxygen sensor which is before the catalytic converter, and closer to the firewall (as opposed the easily accessible one towards the front of the vehicle). So, my questions were:

-Are both sensors before the catalytic converter the same part number? As in interchangeable?

-Can someone check if this part is right?

Denso Oxygen Sensor - Front Part Number: W0133-1607357
Notes: NORTH AMERICAN made Models - Before Catalyst - DON'T CONFUSE w/ THE AIR FUEL RATIO SENSOR!! - Marked 89465-33180 or 89465-06030.
Partsgeek.com part link

or

Denso Oxygen Sensor
Part No. 234-4622
OE Style: Front: Exc. Calif.; DENSO is the O.E. Manufacturer/Oxygen Sensor
Advance Auto Parts Part Link


May be a dumb question but what does "california model" mean? Parts geek just says North American vs. Japan built models
but Advance Auto Parts says "Calif. vs. Exc. Calif". THANKS!!

[Nervous]

1) Yes, both front O2 sensors are identical and interchangeable.
2) Denso is definitely the right one, not sure about advancedautocrap's one.
So, you need 2 of these (it is a good idea to replace both front O2 sensors).

I used this place to purchase O2 sensors: http://oxygensensors.com/

As to calif/non-calif - no idea. California has more strict emission requirements, but what is the diff in O2-sensors - no idea.

[hill8570]

Lots of times the Cali upstream sensors were the more sophisticated (and expensive) wideband sensors instead of the cheaper bang-bang sensors. Not interchangable. Check under your hood or back on the driver's side firewall -- there should be an emissions sticker that, among other things, IDs your rig as California or Federal emissions compliant.

[spannuta]

Thanks for your help Nervous. You really think its necessary to replace both? Is the mentality... If one goes the other is not far behind?
I assume the Walker brand sensors from oxygensensors.com are decent? They don't have the Denso brand pre-cat sensors at that site.

Also, do I really need to buy a special tool to change these (sensor wrench/socket)?

Found the sticker that says my car is Federal emissions compliant....so not a "california model". Thanks hill8570

[hill8570]

Originally Posted by spannuta

Thanks for your help Nervous. You really think its necessary to replace both? Is the mentality... If one goes the other is not far behind?
I assume the Walker brand sensors from oxygensensors.com are decent? They don't have the Denso brand pre-cat sensors at that site.

Also, do I really need to buy a special tool to change these (sensor wrench/socket)?

Found the sticker that says my car is Federal emissions compliant....so not a "california model". Thanks hill8570

I'm not a big fan of replacing something until it breaks, but it's your money.

Never heard of Walker brand sensors. It'd make me nervous using a no-name part in a mission critical application like this.

Have you tried Rockauto? Good selection of Denso sensors, both with OEM connectors (plug and play) and "generics" where you have to splice your old connector into the new sensor. I prefer the first type, but I'm lazy...depends on how much you need to save $$$

As for the tool...try to get a wrench on it. Sometimes the heat shields and such make it convenient to use a regular wrench, sometimes not so much.

[Nervous]

Yeah, I don't really know about Walker, the time I ordered they had Denso as well. But Denso is more expensive, just keep in mind. You also can by universal O2-sensors w/o connector and just transfer the connector from old one.
And yes, I think, changing both O2 sensors is reasonable, but not obligatory. It is up to you.
You don't need a special tool to replace O2-sensors, just a regular 22 mm wrench. Don't forget to apply anti-seize paste on sensor's thread when installing it.

[1996camry]

you can buy OEM DENSO Oxygen sensor
link below, I found your model
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php
rockauto.com has 02 sensor 40 bucks OEM each.

also, use the link below to look up the part number for your car from toyodiy.com, then use the link (rockauto.com) above search the part O2 sensor for your car.

http://www.toyodiy.com/

when you found the 02 sensors from searching the database (rockauto.com), now you compare OEM sensor you found from searching the link www.rockauto.com to with the toyodiy.com part #. you should found a match toyodiy.com part # with rockauto.com part# (OEM).


I hope this might help you!!! I have bought 02 sensor from autorock.com OEM sensor...it fixed my problem P0420 check engine light...

I think you can get a coupon code from this forum..if you ask someone...I remember I saw $5 bucks off by entering the code #,but I don't remember the code #. ask someone for the coupon code before u checkout autorock.com.

[spannuta]

Nice, that www.toyodiy.com is a great site. This way I know the actual part number to look for (#89465‑33180). However, I can't seem to find a corresponding part number at RockAuto.com. All the "Denso part #s" (like #2344209) do not match. It does not come up with anything if I do a part search with the toyodiy.com # either....wierd. Interesting though...the number matches the part from partsgeek.com from my original post ("Marked 89465-33180 or 89465-06030"). It seems RockAuto doesn't the actual part numbers. Sorry to be picky, I love the prices at RockAuto, but I want to make sure its actually the right part.

I will probably just go with the one from RockAuto that says it fits my model. I don't mind doing a little soldering to save another $30 so I'll go with the one w/o a connector. Thanks for all your help!!

[JohnGD]

Toyota's part number and Denso's part numbers are different. The same Denso aftermarket part can also work on Hondas and will have yet another part number for Honda.

Verify your application, always, using manufacturer's current catalog:

http://www.densoaftermarket.com/catalog/

[JohnGD]

The 234-4209 oxygen sensor you found is a "universal sensor". This means it may not have the plastic connector at the end. You'll have to splice the old one on there. It's cheaper, but requires work. I have no problems using Bosch Universal types.

If you want one with connectors, 234-4622 is what you want:
http://www.densoaftermarket.com/cata...4622&part=o2sn

Denso is OEM, and for some applications you have no choice. But I like to use Bosch Planar whenever I can. It's a superior design that's more resistant to contamination.


Denso 234-4209 picture:
http://www.densoaftermarket.com/cata...4209&part=o2sn

Bosch Planar type sensor:
http://www.boschautoparts.com/Oxygen...sorDesign.aspx

[JohnGD]

One thing you have to be careful with "universal" sensors is that there are actually > 12 lines of universal sensors. So don't just pick one up that's "universal". Use the sensor manufacturer's catalog to cross verify rockauto's. I always do that.

Originally Posted by spannuta

I will probably just go with the one from RockAuto that says it fits my model. I don't mind doing a little soldering to save another $30 so I'll go with the one w/o a connector. Thanks for all your help!!

[spannuta]

That denso aftermarket site is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks. Great cross-reference tool.

When you say Denso is "OEM" you mean they are the orginal equipment manufactuer. But Bosch makes "OE type" sensors too for my model. Does that just mean its a direct replacement? I couldn't find a planar type for my model but I don't really think its necessary (boschautoparts.com Parts Link). I assume its more expensive. Car has 250k miles on it so I am just trying to get a functioning sensor. I guess it really comes down to Denso vs Bosch. Is one better quality than the other? In my reading I think I saw people didn't seem to like Bosch. Maybe I am mistaken though.

On a side note...Amazon.com actually sells these parts for like $10-15 cheaper than even rockauto.com!!! Who would have thought. ( Link)

[JohnGD]

Denso is like a bed-fellow company with Toyota. So Toyota does buy a lot of parts from Denso. It's like GM and AC Delco, Ford and Visteon, etc etc

Depending on the parts, AC Delco, Bosch, Akebono, Michelin are all OEMs for Toyota (and other manufacturers). I mean, there just aren't that many Tier-1 parts suppliers out there.

The OE-type means the connector is what's specified on the OE equipment. So you'll see "OE type connector" or "universal" (which means you'll need to splice on the old connector) for these oxygen sensors.

Sure, some people don't seem to like Bosch. They say Bosch sensors dont work as well in Asian imports. So YMMV. But I personally have no problems with Bosch sensors. In fact, I want to use their Planar type whenever available for the application.

Bosch makes some of the world's most advanced oxygen sensors. The next runner up is NTK (a company of NGK group), just check the NGK pump cell wide-band sensors. And as long as the catalog specifies it, then I have no problems.

In the end, use whatever makes you feel comfortable. Some insist on Denso. Your call.

Originally Posted by spannuta

That denso aftermarket site is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks. Great cross-reference tool.

When you say Denso is "OEM" you mean they are the orginal equipment manufactuer. But Bosch makes "OE type" sensors too for my model. Does that just mean its a direct replacement? I couldn't find a planar type for my model but I don't really think its necessary (boschautoparts.com Parts Link). I assume its more expensive. Car has 250k miles on it so I am just trying to get a functioning sensor. I guess it really comes down to Denso vs Bosch. Is one better quality than the other? In my reading I think I saw people didn't seem to like Bosch. Maybe I am mistaken though.

On a side note...Amazon.com actually sells these parts for like $10-15 cheaper than even rockauto.com!!! Who would have thought. ( Link)

[spannuta]

Thanks JohnGD, that is a clear explanation. I tried to talk to my mechanic about this kind of stuff and he got all smug with me. I like learning about this and I appreciate you all willing to teach a noob. Very helpful. I'll let you know how it all turns out.

[spannuta]

Oh, I meant to ask. Where can I get anti-seize paste? hardware stores sell it? Any particular brand? Thanks.