Code P0135 On Civic

I have a check engine code P0135 in on my 98 Civic, which is supposed to be
the primary oxygen sensor heater.

Is this the oxygen sensor nearest to engine - just in the top of the exhaust
manifold, or the one further down?

Any comments on aftermarket Oxygen sensors?

Frank

 

Primary oxygen sensor is the one closest the engine.

 

From general reading and rough recollection, buy only OEM.

Before buying, get a manual and go through the procedure for diagnosing this
code. Codes don't necessarily identify that a component like the O2 sensor
has failed and needs replacement. Could be just a loose wire somewhere. Have
you other symptoms of a failed O2 sensor (like inappropriate engine
revving)? Bad fuel mileage?

I found an OEM one that was a steal at https://www.automedicsupply.com/ .
Put it (a Denso, which is OEM) into my 91 Civic last year. Yours appears to
go for $70, tops, at this site. Goes for over $150 at Majestic Honda parts
online.

OTOH, I wouldn't say you are throwing money away by replacing a seven-year
old O2 sensor. I've read they do degrade in performance over time, though
mine lasted 13 years and may have been able to go longer.

 

stick with oem sensors. aftermarket like bosch will get you through
emissions, but their reaction times are very poor compared to oem, and
performance consequently sucks. i did some experimentation with
different sensors i'd got from a junkyard. no doubt about it, oem is
the way to go.

 

I did a Bosch/Denso experimentations. Their response time is about
equal on an analog voltmeter. I might record their response time on a
dual digital scope in the near future. A $225 Genuine O2 sensor could
beat out the $49 Bosch, but by how much is the question.

As long as the fuel/air supply are clean and no or little oil or radiator fluid
consumption, the Bosch can last more than 200K.

 

that would be excellent!

indeed. my test was limited to "drivability" which meant two things on
my automatic: hesitation and smoothness of gear shifts. the first, i
kinda hoped for, the second i was not expecting at all. when i first
got this 89, it had been filled with non-honda atf and had the old
"shift like a door slamming" feeling. i'd changed the atf back to honda
three times and the shift was a lot better, but still a little harsh and
i figured it was probably due to permanent contamination of the
clutches. when i changed the sensor however, suddenly, the harsh
shifting improved dramatically!!!

can't say i have the patience for the longevity test. my sensors are
single wire unheated - that may have some influence on results.

 

Interesting! I hadn't considered the effect of O2 sensor response time on
changes like throttle changes or shifting. It makes sense, though. That also
means that old O2 sensors are likely to affect shift smoothness and throttle
response, since slowness is a common "failure" mode.

Mike

 

Could this be "Jez's" RPM oscillating problem?

 

Or could be that the O2 sensors are making the car run a little lean (instead
of slowness in response.) Second generation Hondas tend to not shift
well under lower horsepower. You could try advancing your timing and
you can feel the slamming door shift. My original O2 sensors at 270K
miles does a good job with accelerations and shift smoothness.