M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: MikeDE on August 30, 2011, 02:58:55 PM

Title: Oxygen Sensor help: Prod date & NGK??
Post by: MikeDE on August 30, 2011, 02:58:55 PM
I went in to my local parts store to get an o2 for my Touring, and naturally I have no VIN for the car that the m42 was in.  So, he tells me that production date 08/1990 is the date at which the part #'s differ and that there are (2) different parts/part#'s.....I looked on realoem and found that there are (2) different parts no matter which build date I choose, be it before or after Aug 1990.  They only differ on length, 800mm or 940mm.
 
And I ask him if it's a Bosch and he says 'No, NGK was OE for BMW'.....anyone have any input??
Title: Oxygen Sensor help: Prod date & NGK??
Post by: monty23psk on August 30, 2011, 03:06:09 PM
Only thing I can help is check the block for the VIN decal. You might get lucky.
Title: Oxygen Sensor help: Prod date & NGK??
Post by: MikeDE on August 30, 2011, 03:53:14 PM
Quote from: monty23psk;106446
Only thing I can help is check the block for the VIN decal. You might get lucky.


Where would it usually be located????
Title: Oxygen Sensor help: Prod date & NGK??
Post by: DesktopDave on August 30, 2011, 04:57:00 PM
Most of those sensors were the same.  I've used an M20 325i "universal" with no problems.  It came with the OEM plug and a longer lead, as you described.   You could also use most any four wire pre-cat sensor from what I've heard.  Both NTK and Bosch produce similar sensors licensed under a Bosch patent in Bosch boxes with BMW part numbers.

I'd seriously consider a WBO2 like the $200 Innovate unit instead of the pricey OEM BMW part.

OTOH, I found this (Ford Econovan V8 sensors):
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=589134
and this:
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=61404

Not sure what you'd use to x-ref in Europe, perhaps a mid-90s Mondeo?
Title: Oxygen Sensor help: Prod date & NGK??
Post by: monty23psk on August 30, 2011, 07:21:48 PM
The sticker is by the flywheel housing on the engine block on the intake side of engine.
Title: Oxygen Sensor help: Prod date & NGK??
Post by: bmwman91 on August 30, 2011, 08:37:24 PM
If you do decide to go the LC-1 route, let me know. I have been running one since ~2005 and getting it working properly is actually sort of complicated. It took me years to get every annoying little issue worked out.
Title: Oxygen Sensor help: Prod date & NGK??
Post by: Shifty_k on August 30, 2011, 08:51:53 PM
the bosch number for the oe fit o2 sen sor is 13 109, if you use a universal make sure you seal the connections VERY well!