If your O2 sensor is bad, you will get a definite mileage improvement
with a new one. You can get a generic O2 sensor that works just fine
from our list vendors. I have bought one from Ron Salmon of Bus Depot,
and one from Ken Wilford at Vanagain.com. Cost was about $40. They both
worked just fine.

Truth is, and O2 sensor is and O2 sensor is and O2 sensor. Even a Ford
O2 sensor will work fine on the Vanagons. The trick on the generic
sensors is they are single wire and you have to do some splicing, but
they work just fine. A special dielectric anti-sieze compound should be
applied to the threads to prevent the O2 sensor from seizing in the
hole, making replacement next time almost impossible. BE absolutely
certain "NO" thread lub gets on the tip of the O2 sensor. It will be
fried in a heartbeat.

Good luck.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

kormak wrote:

>1986 2.1 van.  I recently rebuilt my engine, so naturally i spend all my free time poking around checking things out now.  I came to the O2 sensor, which is quite old and blackened. (to the point where the little slits were completely clogged).  Just playing around, i unplugged it, straped the cord to the frame, and drove it around.  The van doesn't seem to run rich.  In fact, there was absolutly no change in the performance.  That makes me think i need a new one, however, the going price I've found is $130. (i'm a poor college student).  If i shell out the 130 bucks, what kind of change will I notice in performance?  Is the 02 sensor just for emmissions, or will i see more power?  Any info is great, thanks.
>Marshall Taylor
>
>1986 2.1 vanagon transporter
>1970 westy in process of electric conversion
>
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