Good summary.  The major variables in commercial automotive O2 sensors are
the physical mounting, the connector, and conceivably the characteristics
of the heater.  The actual sensor element is simply a special little
battery that generates a voltage if it has oxygen on one side and not the
other (and it's approaching red-hot...).

david

At 01:27 PM 3/6/2001, The Bus Depot wrote:
>I think you're reading too much into your experience. My guess is that
>somehow moisture got trapped into the electrical connection to your 02
>sensor, causing either premature failure or a false reading. The more
>expensive unit that the Canadian dealer sold you is probably a suitable
>replacement, so it solved your problem. But replacing it with another $39
>sensor and repairing the connection would also have solved your problem.  In
>fact, repairing the connection and reinstalling the same sensor might even
>have worked, as it is possible that the unit would have operated properly
>once the source of the moisture was eliminated.

David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"