Oxygen Sensor Missing?

[ed bates]

OK, I am looking at a 1981 Coupe (yeah I know, still haven't found the one I am looking for), the car is located in Texas and I am in Calif, so my concern is smog. The car has the cat. still on it, but the owner said the oxygen sensor is missing and place where sensor plugs into, has been capped with a bolt. Is there a reason someone would remove the oxygen sensor and how hard would it be to replace it. Is there a usual place where someone may have un bolted it and taped it up or stuffed it somewhere, that I could tell the owner to look for.......

I honestly like this car alot and not sure if I should stear clear or not.....

Any help, as always, is appreciated....

Thanks

Ed

[Starless]

Why didn't they just replace the O2 sensor? If they patched this maybe minor problem with a bolt what else did they fix in this manner? Then again it may be a great car, I'm no help.

[ed bates]

bump

[Eugene at Pelican Parts]

On 80s model SCs, oxygen sensors were sort of added on to an already (relatively) clean burning motor. During this period, as emissions regulations became more stringent, the O2 sensor system was piggy-backed onto the 3-liter motor in order to compensate. The device acted to lean (or continuously adjust) the mixture during idle and low RPM operation but was a somewhat archaic means of doing so. With CIS, removal of the O2 sensor will not harm anything and may even smooth out the low RPM operation of the motor, assuming the mixture is adjusted properly. Keep in mind that fuel consumption will increase slightly if the O2 system is disabled. The catalytic converter's lifespan may also shorten.

During emissions testing, it is obviously preferable to have all emissions equipment present and functioning properly to ensure the best test results. After you have passed, you may pull the plug again and adjust the mixture accordingly if you so desire.

The tunability of CIS is due to its simple method of operation (concerning half a million tiny little parts). Contrarily, it is important to note that the converse applies to Motronic systems; where every subsystem plays an integral role in the overall performance of the motor... I digress. Basically, the O2 sensor paired with CIS is not necessary except if you're environmentally conscious... which contradicts the desire to enjoy practically any sports car.

Ed, if the O2 is no longer in the cat, I somehow doubt it's still anywhere within the vehicle. To me, I would still not rule out this one. Use it as a negotiation point to lower the price a notch or two more. Good luck with the search.

[Ray B]

Ed, I just passed emissions yesterday without the 02 sensor. Granted Georgia may have different standards, but mine passed handily. FWIW.

[juanbenae]

my 78 has no ox sensor, but the tech here in the bay area looked for it until i told him it was not on a 78. he then went into the dmv computer to confirm such. so if your wondering if you will pass the visual, i doubt it. the item to look for is the wire lead that hooks to the sensor, if thats accessable and intact, its a matter of finding out if the lambada bung in good and buying a sensor and hooking it up.

good luck.

[ubiquity0]

At my last smog test (@ a test-only center) the tech didn't even pretend to look under the car. It passed easily, so maybe if it was a close thing he would have bothered?

[aigel]

While I think that it would be easy to get the car back for CA smog, why the hassle and the added risk? Being in CA, you live in 911 heaven and you can buy one that is smogged by the previous owner, before you buy it. I would not look anywhere else than in CA. You can't tell me that there is an SC in Texas of some sort, that you can't find here as well.

Buy one locally, get it over with.

George

[ed bates]

I have searched in Calif......and can not find a nice one like this:::

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2476685963

The price is right, even with shipping.........

[aigel]

How do you know how much it will be? 13k? Is that a good price?

It needs a new dash, the leather shrunk and curled the living daylight out of the vinyl underneath. It needs a new headliner (all windows come out for that!). The sunroof isn't supposed to do that. A tuck with both hands and it should be seated correctly. Very strange!

This car has some rather questionable upgrades. Both in taste and w/ respect to originality:

Why does it have a 160mph speedometer? In 81 it is supposed to have a 85mph speedometer! When did it get changed and is the mileage original? Are there seamless records to proof original mileage?

What's the paint like under the bra? Often it gets scratched, foggy or may fade differently.

Why has the SC badge moved to the right? I hope that's done with adhesive and not with drilling! Sign of very bad taste

Is that a carrera valence?

Those plug wires are interesting. Nice routing too. AutoZone special?

I don't know Ed, but this looks like the average SC to me. It sure has enough body mods (wha'ts up with that 3rd brake light sticking up like a sore thumb?) that I'd be scared it had some paint work.

For 13k, you can do a lot better than this in CA. What's special about the car???

George

[ed bates]

The guy will take 11K......

But you do bring up some good points that I missed, like the odometer. I like the guards red and black combo and I have been looking the trader and have not found any...and my patience is wearing thin.........

I appreciate your input, I'll check into that speedo.....

[aigel]

I understand that you don't want a brown targa with green interior. But don't let the color get in the way too much. In my book, white, silver, black, maroon and dark blue are all acceptable, fairly timeless colors. And a brown interior can always be changed to black, especially once things are worn.

11k is an okay price, it isn't killer cheap though. The car obviously will need some work to get it in nice shape.

I would never buy a car without seeing and driving it myself. If you really move forward on this one, make it pending on a PPI and your personal visit to check things out. A plane trip can help you avoid disaster. Pictures are always great looking.

Would you consider driving up to the SF bay for a car? If you do, please send me a PM. I can do some listening around here for you and would have no problem pre-screening things that are close by.

Did you ever continue researching that 83 12.5k white cabriolet? Is it still available?

There are some SC cars for sale through the local club and I have received some offers directly, because I have looked for a car for my buddy. He has since found a car, so I can pass along that info too, if you want.

Good Luck,

George

[ed bates]

I would drive anywhere in Calif to get the car........You would think that So. Calif would have a lot of SC's, but I can not locate decent cars. They are all high miles or bad colors. If you do come across anything, let me know. The white SC Cab was from the East and the guy just moved here. It sounded a little weird and he was trying to sell it at the local Denny's on Sunday afternoon (this is what his ad said)..I am looking to spend in the 11-12K range....Thanks again!

[ubiquity0]

I agree, George. Looks like a very average SC to me. At least from what I can tell from those low resolution photos.

Crappy seatcovers, PO that spent all his money on tacky accessories. Who's to say it hasn't had an Earl Scheib $299 special?

[Early_S_Man]

Anybody got a clue what is up with those Fuchs??? They look like the victim of an extremely poor masking job ... and spraycan gloss black Krylon ...

I haven't figured out what the finish on the non-black part is???

[aigel]

Warren:

Good catch. In the same pic, I am wondering, is that how the factory paint chips? Mine sure doesn't look like that. It may have a respray?

G

[Early_S_Man]

Ed,

Didn't you get enough feedback to be a bit worried/concerned about this car?

It gets VERY hot & humid in the summer in that part of Texas! I spent most of June 1980 there ... something around 90 days were above 100°F that summer!!!