I will chime in that the BD generic sensor has not worked well for me and I
have tried plenty. It could be that I live at altitude and the sensor has to
do more. Even if I measure the voltage right at the sensor the values don't
get as high as the specific sensor. +.6 vs +.9 volts. Additionally a local
vanagon only repair shop( J & J VW Vans) has never gotten them to run right
for very long. Their customers would return within a few weeks or more with
02 sensor problems. They won't even touch generic sensor now.

my 2 cents is too avoid massive frustration and buy the real article.

anyone want to buy a slightly used generic sensor? make me a reasonable
offer.

Ed
Reno, NV
-----Original Message-----
From: The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Tuesday, July 09, 2002 3:33 PM
Subject: Re: Generic O2 Sensor

>> The Bosch O2 sensor is not a generic replacement, it is a Bosch Part for
>> a Ford with the connector removed or not.  I used it once but it failed
>> rather quickley,  less than 2 monthes, but of course took me awhile to
>> pin down the intermittent failure. Others have reported no problems. The
>> price is low, but at the 2nd purchase cost you could just buy a another
>> brand O2 Sensor for the Vanagon.
>>
>> I'd recommend a Vanagon Specific O2 Sensor that is Made by Beck Arnley
>> #21-156-8300.  I paid $126 cdn or $90 Us. It has been flawless.
>
>
>
>If you want to go this route, I have the Vanagon specific sensor for the
>'83-85 for $66.50 with listmember discount, part number 11929.
>
>Frankly I make more money selling you a $66 sensor.  But personally, my
>opinion is that the $29 one is all you need.  The overwhelming majority
>(over 95%) of my customers buy the $29 one, and they have no problems.
>While it is used on many Ford applications, it is interchangeable with the
>Vanagon one other than the connector. That claim did not come from me but
>from the U.S. Bosch distributor.  Perhaps your problem was simply that you
>got a defective sensor.
>
>But, like I said, for those who don't want to "risk it," I do offer both
>options.
>
>- Ron Salmon
>  The Bus Depot, Inc.
>  (215) 234-VWVW
>  www.busdepot.com
>
>_____________________________________________
>Toll-Free for Orders by Part #    1-866-BUS-DEPOT
>