O2 Sensors - Cheapest Source?

[gtd2000]

I'm thinking about trying an O2 sensor swap in our Mazda 121 DB

The reason? Well it only gets 24mpg average :evil:

It runs and starts flawlessly - has never failed an emmissions test - I've replaced pretty much everything that you can think of - but still get 24mpg...

So..I'd like to just pay the minimum price for an O2 sensor to see if it actually makes any difference whatsoever

Anybody know who has the cheapest available?

[b3 madness]

Here is a link to a Bosch universal replacement O2 sensor for a Festiva. It is what I used and it seems to be doing well. Just print out the page and take it to your local Schucks, Checkers, or Kragens parts store for a price match.

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=BOS&MfrPartNumber=11027&PartType=291&PTSet=A

[gtd2000]

Here is a link to a Bosch universal replacement O2 sensor for a Festiva. It is what I used and it seems to be doing well. Just print out the page and take it to your local Schucks, Checkers, or Kragens parts store for a price match.

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...pe=291&PTSet=A

Did your O2 sensor fail?

If so - what were the symptoms?

I've previously disconnected the O2 sensor and the car did not run well at all - I'm just wondering if the O2 sensor can still be operating but perhaps not "optimally"? Any thoughts?

Thanks for the link - I think the 121 DB uses a multi-wire sensor as standard - can I still use a single wire version?

edit:
Just noticed you are from Portland - I was working up in Oregon for the summer doing a wind farm project in the Cascades (Staying in The Dalles). What a fantastic looking part of the country the Columbia River Gorge is!!!

[b3 madness]

What year is your 121DB? I was thinking that it may be newer and be a OBDII and thus be a multi wire O2 sensor. I replaced mine as part of regular service since the car had 336,000 miles on it when I got it and I believe that it was original to the car. The Bosch replacements seem to be of good quality and the universals are a snap to splice in.

Where are you located now??

[gtd2000]

The DB is a 1993 - it doesn't have an OBDII sensor fitted though. The model range ran from 1991~1996 as far as I'm aware.

Did you find that replacing it made any difference though?

I'm happy to pick up a sensor for $17 but if I can't actually use it....

Right now I'm in FL so I can nip out and grap one locally

[b3 madness]

I can't say that it made a difference in my case, but since you are having mileage issues I would think that an O2 sensor may be one thing to replace especially if yours is original equipment. Since yours is a 1993, can you confirm that yours is more than 1 wire??

[gtd2000]

I was trying to find some pics of the engine but can't see anything that would show the down-pipe.

I'm pretty sure (from memory) it is either a 3 or 4 wire type

[gtd2000]

I found this link http://mymiata.paladinmicro.com/Miata4-WireO2.htm about fitting a Chrysler O2 sensor to a Miata..

[b3 madness]

^^Interesting read. So it looks like it is time to grab your torch and test out the O2 sensor. Let us know how it goes.

[Xtreme]

autozone offers one for 17.99 for the festiva. Its a universal one wire... I don't know what yours takes but I think its the same. You have to cut and splice. I'm having the same problem with my festiva. When I bought it a few months back I was getting 40mpg. Now it seems like I'm getting about 30. I thought it was maybe just tire pressure but I've been watch the press and it seems ok. I've been supecting the O2 sensor for awhile now. I went out just a few minutes ago and unpluged it and the car ran the same. I'm going to try the O2 sensor out and see what happens.

[gtd2000]

From what I have read the differences between a single and four wire sensor is that there are additional wires to heat the sensor and also to provide better grounding.

Does this mean I can try using a single wire sensor in what was a 4 wire application - by that I mean the sensor won't be pre-heated as it should be - it just needs to wait until it gets heated up by the exhaust gases instead?

[kzbill]

your trying to hard save to little money, it is going to cost you more in labor and time than it is worth Me thinks.
Believe me that is from experience.