V70: Engine Oygen Sensor - Lambda - Are cheap ones any good?

[rik007]

Hi, I need to replace the heated oxygen sensor on my V70 2.4D5.

Are the cheap £20 any good or do I need to shell out £100's+ for one?

I know you get what you pay for; but my Aldi drill is doing me a treat; shame the don't sell Volvo parts..... yet!

Many thanks, Richard

[Ian21401]

If it’s a Bosch, try to obtain the part number off it and buy a Bosch one. I once fitted a cheap lambda sensor to my 1992 940 and it failed very quickly so replaced it with a Bosch by part number. I have a Bosch supplier local to me so it’s easy for me.

[green van man]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

If it’s a Bosch, try to obtain the part number off it and buy a Bosch one. I once fitted a cheap lambda sensor to my 1992 940 and it failed very quickly so replaced it with a Bosch by part number. I have a Bosch supplier local to me so it’s easy for me.

Volvo headlight bulbs are £12+vat each, I took the part number and baught the same bulb on linefor £8 including vat, think they were osram. Same applies to oxigen sensors.

Be aware the sensor can snap and then it's a case of remove cat from car and drill and retap thread, there are also 2 sensors. My volvo dealer ordered the wrong one, reordered the correct one then snapped the old one getting it out, then found they did not have the correct size tap so had to order that. Changing that faulty sensor took 4 days and that's a main dealer. I just paid the bill, relived to get the car back before anything else got broken.

Paul.

[Tatsfield]

I think the headlight example is a good guide. If the replacement isn't Volvo but is a well respected brand that has much to lose if their quality falls below acceptable levels, there is no real risk, but anonymous knock-off copies which bring no retribution to the manufacturer if they fail are to be avoided. Sometimes anonymous copies are perfectly good and the savings are worth the risk, but on engine system components such as oxygen sensors where failure brings consequential problems I'd say that they are not. Bosch are world leaders in oxygen sensors and if you can buy a Bosch product cheaper than the Volvo item, it's well worth it.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Tatsfield

I think the headlight example is a good guide. If the replacement isn't Volvo but is a well respected brand that has much to lose if their quality falls below acceptable levels, there is no real risk, but anonymous knock-off copies which bring no retribution to the manufacturer if they fail are to be avoided. Sometimes anonymous copies are perfectly good and the savings are worth the risk, but on engine system components such as oxygen sensors where failure brings consequential problems I'd say that they are not. Bosch are world leaders in oxygen sensors and if you can buy a Bosch product cheaper than the Volvo item, it's well worth it.

so are volvo as they worked in conjunction with Bosch developing it for automotive use and first used it in 1976 way ahead of anyone else ..!

[Tatsfield]

No argument there and I'm not the one who is advocating not using Volvo spares, but if the OP finds that Bosch are cheaper than Volvo listed oxygen sensors, I'm saying that he can buy Bosch sensors with confidence as they are leaders in the field. (Possibly because they gleaned their knowledge from Volvo!)

[rik007]

Thanks everyone, much appreciated.

Looks like at least named brand ideally Bosch.

Note taken re extraction! Looks like is a tricky reach down the back of the engine!!

Also have my glow plugs to replace and apparently they also have a tendency to snap.

Richard.

[Simmy]

Originally Posted by rik007

Hi, I need to replace the heated oxygen sensor on my V70 2.4D5.

Are the cheap £20 any good or do I need to shell out £100's+ for one?

I know you get what you pay for; but my Aldi drill is doing me a treat; shame the don't sell Volvo parts..... yet!

Many thanks, Richard

buy cheap o2 sensors and end up buying genuine one . ask me how i know been there done that .... never again

[dingov70]

MOT tester stepping into the ring , I test & fail defective Lambda's every day & then fail the cheapo replacement sensor . In truth , they do work ( for a while ) or simply fail from the word go .

Yes branded are more costly , BUT they do work & you have more luck claiming against a defective one than you would for a cheapo Ebay style product . Branded also tend to continue working for far longer than the cheapo versions .

BUT it is your money & finally your choice , choose wisely !

[Clan]

Originally Posted by dingov70

MOT tester stepping into the ring , I test & fail defective Lambda's every day & then fail the cheapo replacement sensor . In truth , they do work ( for a while ) or simply fail from the word go .

Yes branded are more costly , BUT they do work & you have more luck claiming against a defective one than you would for a cheapo Ebay style product . Branded also tend to continue working for far longer than the cheapo versions .

BUT it is your money & finally your choice , choose wisely !

That follows exactly my 40+ year volvo experiences with oxygen sensors on a professional basis too . The genuine volvo last a remarkably long time at least 20 years ..