Date:         Tue, 2 Feb 1999 10:48:34 -0800
Reply-To:     Nathaniel Merrill <nmerrill@PARAMETRIX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Nathaniel Merrill <nmerrill@PARAMETRIX.COM>
Subject:      Oxygen sensor info.(Read this)
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This is an update on my info quest regarding my shorted oxygen sensor:
After my comment that I was going to seal my oxygen sensor, I received several notes that this should not be done because the sensors require outside air to compare to the exhaust etc.etc.  After careful examination I determined that there was not any vents on the Bosch sensor I had.  After several calls, I finally got to a person at the Bosch R&D department who informed me that ALL of the Bosch sensors VENT THROUGH THE WIRES.  That is- between the core and the casing is air space which is the vent.  I still an skeptical about this due to the sealed nature of most connectors I  have seen, But that s what he said.  It does not take much to realize that soldering and shrink wrapping  the sensor wires would likely foul this system up. ( as any one who has bought the 13913 or 0 258 003 913 ford sensor and cut off the plug has done).   Apparently, (some one who  knows about this correct me)  the universal sensors are shipped with a special connector- not soldered on and shrink wrapped.  So I conclude that my sensor, which had one less-than-perfect shrink wrap out of three must have sucked water and or moisture into the wire here, which eventually made it to the sensor and shorted it.  Make what you will of this info - As I said it came from the Bosch R&D department, Farmington ILL.(?)  
Also, while talking to someone at the tech info center for Bosch I was told that the part number for the original VW sensor I had was a stand alone for a Volvo....no mention of a VW in there.  Anyone ever seen one like this in a Volvo?
Here is to $170 Oxy sensors.