94 Intrepid 3.5L - NAPA Echlin O2 sensor superceded by Bosch

Based on postings in this newsgroup, I tried to get NAPA Echlin O2 sensors.
Their computer showed that the Echlin part had been superceded by a Bosch
part. Do you think the Bosch part is OK? Should I go to a Chrysler dealer
for it instead? Any other manufacturers OK?

 

No, the Bosch part is not OK, unless you want to do the job again (and
again, and again) in short order. You can still get Echlin O2 sensors from
NAPA, you just have to specifically ask for them. The application info is
in the NAPA Echlin application book, which means the counterman may have
to get up off his tush, away from the computer, and actually open the
book. Or you can save him the hassle and tell him to order you an Echlin
OS308.

Chrysler dealer will sell you a good one at a high price. It will probably
be an NTK, which you can buy less expensively (P/N 23023) from www.ngk.com
or another source. Other good brands are Standard-BlueStreak, AC and
Denso.

DS

 

Thanks.

Are the NTK spark plugs (7252) OK?

 

NGK (spark plugs) and NTK (O2 sensors), same company. I like NGK plugs.

 

Daniel - I've taken to heart your comments in the past about Bosch O2
sensors not doing well in Chrysler products in general. However, I'm
pretty sure I've seen posts on LH forums (from people that should know)
that the LH cars came from the factory with Bosch O2 sensors (and they
don't seem to be a problem until close to 100k miles (judging from the
same forums) - in fact my Concorde still has the original sensors and
runs fime and gets good gas mileage. How can that be?

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
adddress with the letter 'x')

 

Bosch OEM O2 sensors are not the same as the aftermarket ones.

DS

 

Bill you are correct, they have been using Bosch 02 sensors for awhile now,
I dont think Chrysler makes there 02 sensors.

 

But the "OEM" Bosch part is apperently not at all the same as the
aftermarket branded Bosch part. Bosch's operations for OEM and
aftermarket apparently don't have very much to do with each other.