I know you guys were saying that NGK and Denso O2 sensors work well, but most of the suppliers around me stock Bosch. Anything against using that brand?

 

For some reason Bosch and Toyotas just don't mix. Search further and get a NGK or Denso, even if you have to pay a few $ extra at a dealer.

 

You can clean your old one with a torch and burn all the carbon off it. A world class engine builder tought me this years ago......heat em till they glow red. Good as new!

 

...unless the O2 sensor has a melted plug because the P.O.S. previous owner had it unplugged, and resting against the exhaust pipe!

 

Is this for real? is the carbon build up the main thing that degrades the sensors?

 

Ya....try it!

 

This thread has some good info, including why Bosch O2 sensors often don't work well in our trucks:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116.../#post51247728

Just heating something usually won't remove carbon. I've read of heating the business end of the sensor almost red hot and then quenching in water with some isopropyl in it; doing that several times. Apparently the quenching causes the carbon to flake off. I think there would be a risk of cracking the ceramic, also, so I would only try it on a sensor that needs to be replaced anyway.

Things other than carbon can kill an O2 sensor. Getting RTV into the combustion chamber will kill the sensor in a big hurry. Zinc from certain oils, if the motor is burning oil, won't do it any favors, either. I doubt that cleaning would resurrect a sensor killed by either of those.

Denso direct fits will be the safest choice. Get the mfr part # from sparkplugs dot com & search for 'denso' and the part # on amazon - been cheap there this year.

 

It worked to clear the codes in my buddies 11 sec misu eclipse....he was an mec. engineer. Did a bunch of cool things I could never think of.....crushed his fuel pressure reg. to bump up fuel pressure by 2-3lbs. Pulled throttle bodies off vans for better flow, used a zinier diode to trick the ECU about overboost... ect.....

 

I went with OEM for my 2000 4Runner. It really didn't cost a whole lot more than the aftermarket ones.

 

Yep. I'm with you on that.

I figure, when I'm replacing something that lasted 20 years, there's harm paying a bit more to replace it with the same piece that will likely last another 20 yrs.

 

I find the Denso sensors have a longer tip that gets down into the exhaust stream better than the shorter tipped sensors I have seen from other mfgs. On my VW, I prefer the Bosch parts, but on my Toyota, I go w/ Denso, they seem to work the best.

 

OEM-Denso