O2 Sensor installation...

[PanamaE30]

So, I had the car up on the lift the other day to do some exhaust work when I noticed... I have no O2 sensor.

Apparently the jackass PO never connected it up. And stupid me, never thought to check.

So, where exactly do I put it in the pipe (custom pipes from manifold down) and where do i plug it into?

[AdamF 88iS]

The sensor on an 'i' car goes on an 'H' section that connects the 2 stock downpipes together about a foot and a half below the exhaust manifolds. It's right next to the engine mount, right above the sway bar, kinda down in that area. You don't have to be super exact. It sticks out toward the right side of the car. The connection for it is a round 4 pin that clips onto the bottom of the battery tray.

[PanamaE30]

Excellent, thank you.

I don't have the stock downpipes.. they're Y'd together a bit farther down. Could i attach the O2 sensor there? Does it really matter?

Now I know why i have shitty mileage.

[netcsk]

as long as you get it before the cat. (assuming you even have one) or any other muffler type thing, you should be ok

[PanamaE30]

/looks around

Cat? Muffler? :P

Just kidding, I've got a resonator and a muffler :P


Ok, so just as long as it's before any of that i'm fine? Excellent. Now I just have to see if the stupid plug is there somewhere. If the plug isn't there, where does it connect to so I can make the cable?

[jht3]

the o2 sensor harness should be under the tray on the pass side of the car. mine's a 3-pin plug. a new o2 sensor should have the correct matching plug

get a bung welded in on the downpipe

[PanamaE30]

Thanks guys, great info.

Now I just need to find time to do this :(

being a manager blows.

[SA E30]

One thing, if ur car comes from a contry that used leaded petrol when the car was released (like here in South Africa), ur car didn't come with an oxygen sensor, or Cat.

Justr some info, cause I thought I was begin stupid, when I couldn't find mine.. I eventually asked a tuner, who told me they didn't come with them, in the aformentioned countries :shock:

[PanamaE30]

Thanks for the tip!

My car is actually a US spec E30 that was imported.

Saturday i was tightening the bolts on the downpipes to the exhaust manifold and i found the plug. Now I'll just need to get the cable, connector, sensor and get a plug welded into my pipe.

Thank you everyone for your help!

[PanamaE30]

the o2 sensor harness should be under the tray on the pass side of the car. mine's a 3-pin plug. a new o2 sensor should have the correct matching plug

get a bung welded in on the downpipe

Woah wait, just saw this and re-read it carefully. It's a three pin plug? I'm pretty sure I saw a four pin plug :(

[nando]

if you buy the proper O2 for the E30 it will have the connector and wire built in. I found mine on ebay for $65.

[PanamaE30]

Hmm.. The thing is, I'm looking at the ETK and the BMA catalogue..

For cars up to 9/87 (like mine) it's a 4 pin plug and it's about $50 more than the sensor for cars after 9/87. Can anyone shed some light on this please? I want to do this tomorrow :(

[Nathan]

My pre-87 eta has a four pin plug.

[PanamaE30]

Does anyone have the specs for the four pin O2 sensor? I was talking to my friend and he said to just get a generic one. He's done several, and is willing to help me with mine, but he needs the specs to be able to choose the right one.

$15 vs. $150 seems like quite a steal :P

[PanamaE30]

Anybody?
Voltage? Resistance? Heated/Non-Heated?