[daveimme]

Friday afternoon, while running around doing errands (took the day off), I stopped by my mechanics to possibly test/change the o2 sensor since someone gave me a used one, I would see if I saw an improvement. I was surprised to see that my o2 sensor is one wire and connects to just one wire, but the wire that it connects to has a 2- connector end on the cars side (???) that were not plugged into anything. I left the car running and removed the plug; no change in idle or anything.

I recall reading the carfax report on this car that it failed emissions in Virginia and then passed three days later. It appears that the o2 sensor was replaced then and with a one wire unit. Anyway, I went to Advanced auto parts and just asked to see one that they had so I could see what a new one looked like and was surprised at two things, first, it was $17.99 for the 'universal' one wire plug (wire was only 3-4 inches long with a connector to be crimped (not solder) to existing wire). In the engine bay, again, I see it had just one plug.

The car runs no different, but I *think* the real rich smell has either disappeared of is greatly reduced. I have yet to fill the tank since then (160 miles on this last tank full after the o2 replacement), so I wonder if the universal is really making a difference?

The second thing is only being $17.99, and a bosch, too. That surprised me more than anything else.

I am still going to look and see if I can find a shop in town that has a CO tester (gas analyzer) to see if the AF mixture is correct.