Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001 18:25:48 -0700
Reply-To: Mark Rokus <marokus@VOYAGER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Rokus <marokus@VOYAGER.NET>
Subject: Re: Oxygen sensor-replace or unplug?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
HI Phillip
You can run with it unplugged for as long as you wish but you might wish
to consider otherwise. The consequences are that you will be running
perpetually rich and wasting gas. On anything other that a short trip, the
cost of the fuel would offset the cost of the sensor. The primary
differences in "Lambda" sensors is the connector and if it is heated. The
non-heated will work fine, it just doesn't start working as soon. Your
Vanagon has a heated sensor and as such, has 3 connections instead of 1.(2
for the heater, one for the signal)( some come with 4 wires and the 4th is
just a redundant ground) If your not afraid to do a little work, the
generic sensors are about half the price. The generics can come from any
parts store, they are truly universal. You just have to add your existing
connector to the wires. Usually the generic sensors come with splice
connectors and insulating shrink tubing. The one caution involved is the
fact that the Vanagon uses a co-axial wire (green) for the signal. The
co-axial wire has a signal wire in the center and braided "shield" wire
surrounding it. It is small in diameter and looks like a common wire. You
must not short the shield to the signal wire or other problems ensue. If
you are replacing the connector from your sensor on to the new sensor, you
shouldn't run into this, it is only if you bypass the connector and connect
directly to the vehicles wire that you should get into the shield.
As far as removing the sensor from the pipe, they usually grow into the
pipe, Good penetrating lube will help here as will a large pipe wrench.
Heat will also aid in the removal if it is really stubborn. If you use
Anti-seize on the new one, be careful not to get any on the active portion
of the sensor, it will short it out.
All in all, it should take you less than a half an hour to have it back if
it doesn't stick in the pipe.
I know this is a bit wordy, but if I didn't know the specifics, I'd
appreciate the details...
Mark Rokus
'87 GL Syncro Westy
'87 GL Syncro
'86 Syncro (hanger Queen)
'81 Westy Air-cooled
'82 Rabbit Diesel
> What are the consequences of driving with the O2 sensor unplugged? Mine
is
> currently faulty, and the van ('91 Westy) runs cooler with it unplugged.
So
> the short term solution is to leave it unplugged. I checked with my
mechanic
> who said there is no rush to replace it. (I'm short on time--leaving for
a
> big road trip.) He also mentioned that he drove his vanagon 100,000 miles
> with it unplugged. If this is an acceptable solution, why would anyone
> bother ever replacing it? Does anyone else on the list leave their faulty
> oxygen sensor unplugged?
>
> TIA,
> Philip
>
|