Oxygen sensors
 

I've noticed that upstream oxygen sensors are less expensive than downstream sensors yet, Wayne's 101 Project book says that all 4 are the same. Does anyone know why there is a price difference as well as a parts number difference?

I don't know what year your Boxster is but I have an '07 and the upstream sensor is the newer "wideband air/fuel ratio" sensor, and these are much more expensive than the downstream sensor (which are the "regular" O2 sensors).

Regards,
paul...

For an '01S (had one) the only difference is the length of the pigtails. I cross reference listing the Bosch part numbers to the Porsche part numbers is here. Prices and where to buy in that article are about 5 years old. But the part numbers should still be good. Use the Bosch parts with pigtails installed and tested at the factory. Not cheap brands nor soldered connections.

Replaced both of my upstream sensors with the Bosch parts. Any muffler shop should do it for about 1/2 hour of labor if you bring in the part. You'll then have to get the CEL reset but almost any OBD2 reader will do that. I used an Actron.

After a lot of research and taking parts back to where I bought them I found (by calling Bosch tech line) that my car needs (2) Bosch 15182 sensors for the upstream and 15183 for the back (2) oxygen sensors. Everyone wanted to sell me Bosch 13806 for the downstream but the problem with that sensor is that the pigtail is too short and it has a rectangular plug where as my car has an oval weatherpack plug. I had to order the 15183's via a google search. I had some auto parts stores quote me $350.00 each. I ended up getting (2) for $193.00 delivered from Jet.com Not the best price but I need them now.

I can't find a recommended time or mileage change for an 08 Cayman. Anyone have a link as to when they should be replaced?

Thank you.

I'm not sure there is a recommended 02 replacement guideline. I think you just wait for them to fail then replace them.

I only had 1 bad sensor but replaced all 4 just so I didn't have to do it later.

When they start throwing "aging out" codes, as there is no "recommended" mileage interval. Changing them before that is a total waste of money. We have had cars in the shop with one aging sensor, replaced it, and 75K miles later they have not coded again. We also have cars that have gone over 200K with their original O2 sensors.

The nice thing about O2 sensor codes
 

is that they are so specific as to location (side of engine, front or back) and cause of fault (Short, incomplete circuit, just slow response).

But there are ones that are specific to the model year so if posting about them be sure you specify your model year and engine size.

Of course one sure way to tell what part you need is to take the old one out as the part number, both Bosch and Porsche, will be stenciled on the sensor itself.

But the stenciling wears off.So best to consult PET and buy using only the Porsche part number for your specific year. If you don;t see #4 above. And some sites like blockawtoe have the wrong Bosch part numbers listed !Using the Porsche number does not mean you buy the Porsche branded item.It just means you get the part with the correct connector and pigtail length.